Today, a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania legislators introduced critical legislation to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people from discrimination. The bills would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression statewide in employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations.
At stake in this situation may be the future of democracy and what it means to be an informed citizenry. I don’t believe I’m overstating the importance, and for a gay man to be at the heart of it is important. Will the LGBT community stop focusing solely on Gay Marriage long enough to recognize the turning point we are at here with this case and with Bradley Manning?
The Pennsylvania legislature’s LGBT Equality Caucus and other legislative supporters will hold a Capitol news conference Tuesday to announce the largest-ever list of sponsors for non-discrimination legislation and a new major corporate supporter of the bills. Results of a recent poll about the bills also will be announced. The news conference will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Capitol Media Center. Media coverage is invited. Members of the media may also listen to the[Read More…]
The cycles and dynamics which are both inevitable and avoidable are modulated and remedied by learning to listen to one another with an inquisitive desire to understand the other’s history.
Casting your ballot is just the first step in making our democratic process work for us, the citizens. You can make a difference, by getting engaged, and a personal letter is the easiest way to do that. This post explains how to be successful in getting your voice heard by your elected officials.
Today, I found two stories in my news feeds that are both short history lessons: the type of stuff every LGBTQ person ought to know, so please, enter the classroom, and get ready for some LGBT History 101.
In families; neighborhoods; schools; businesses; organizations; churches; clubs; towns; and in any way in which we organize people- there is someone, not wanting to be the first to speak up, and today, I wonder- will you follow Collins lead and stop waiting for it to be someone else, and have it be you?
Last night, Lawrenceville, already overrun by hipsters welcomed every other creative loving person and anyone else out for a free good time. This was the 16th annual event, and you may not know it but I helped design the very first Art All Night poster. I often see a few things that really rock my art world, but this year not so much. Still it was a tremendous and fun event. I especially love standing[Read More…]
Schools should be fostering an inclusive environment where all students are allowed to be themselves instead of needlessly making students feel stigmatized for being who they are.
Last month, I wrote about seeing Thurgood at the Pittsburgh Public Theater, and this week, I’ll be seeing Clybourne Park and writing about it too. The two shows are utterly different, and I’m looking forward to seeing what I will find to say. One of the great advantages to living here in Pittsburgh, in my opinion, is the plethora of Arts activities and opportunities that exist. We have excellent Theater, Dance, Music, Fine Art, and every[Read More…]