Good news.
Legislation that would expand hate crimes protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity has passed out of the PA House Judiciary Committee. That's pretty cool. I'm waiting for a press release from the advocacy groups, but this legislation has bipartisan support. Did you know that current hate crimes laws' [...]
This really angers me. I have personally spoken with City Controller Michael Lamb, City Councilperson Bill Peduto and City Council President Doug Shields among others, ALL of whom have promised me that City County merger would not mean that City employees (or potential employees) lost benefits.
The problem? Well, the City [...]
Statewide Judicial races dominate this year's elections.
We all have seen in California, Massachusetts, & Vermont state courts play [...]
That the Vatican is bending "sacred rules" to [...]
I downloaed IE 8.0 and highly suggest you do NOT do the same. Arrrgggg. I cannot cut and paste. How is a blogger supposed to maintain without cut and pasteability?
The intensity of this week is off the charts. Ledcat is imposing a mandatory stay home and watch television rule [...]
What a busy, busy week. Ledcat and I taped a segment for the Post-Gazette's "Omnivore" podcast with Mackenzie Carpenter on Tuesday. It is up on the PG+ site now. Being in the PG newsroom was quite heady for a geek like me. Dennis Roddy recognized my name. That's like Mr. [...]
During Monday's evening newscast on KDKA, sports reporter Jory Rand covered the story about Larry Johnson's use of homophobic slurs. Johnson plays foortball for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The episode began Sunday night, when Johnson questioned Coach Todd Haley's football credentials on his Twitter account.
He used the slur during an [...]
This is somewhat breathtaking ...
Judge Orie Melvin dissented from an en banc Superior Court decision in Thierfelder v. Wolfert, 978 A.2d 361 (Pa. Super. May 19, 2009), which held that when a physician is providing specific treatment for psychological problems, and has a sexual relationship with the patient, if that [...]So much to review and comment upon ... the weeks just fly by these days.
I have become a devote of The Today Show. I used to be an avid morning NPR listener, but one day I clicked on the television and Harry n Maggie won my heart. I don't' [...]
Tom got the Post-Gazette endorsement.
Also ..
Hi Everyone,
Tomorrow night the Bellvue Chamber of Commerce is holding a Meet the Candidates night at Bellvue Elementary School this is going to be an important night in this highly contested race because this is a bi-partisan event and we want to have a good [...]
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is making changes to regulations that benefit LGBT families. HUD administers public housing.
According to today’s announcement, HUD will submit a proposed rule that makes three important changes to federal regulations. First, it includes language that ensures same-sex couples and [...]
Throughout the discussion over the library closures, I keep wondering why we have a beautiful new library on the Northside (total of two now) while other communities may have none. Perhaps it was dedicated funding?
I stopped by the new Allegheny branch on Federal Street. It is big. I didn't see' [...]
The City Paper spilled the beans when they reported that the Mayor went far over the line:
"Off the Record" gives local officials rebuttal time as "guest humorists." And according to several witnesses who contacted us after the fact, Ravenstahl used his moment on stage to send a message to [...]
I did not sleep well yesterday so my critical analysis skills are limited. For some reason, Wanda Sykes was my mail carrier and I had to fire her. She did not take it well.
Caught this little gem in the Somerset newspaper - [www.dailyamerican.com]
Does anyone know that Hitler and [...]
Tune in Sunday when we talk with Mitch Lieb about Pittsburgh's Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.
The show is broadcast live at 5 PM [sistershout.outonline.com]
Courtesy of the Film Society, we are offering two free passes to a Festival film. The drawing will be live on the broadcast. To be [...]
Word on the 'net is that this legislation will come to a floor vote in the Pennsylvania House sometime in November.
There are 25 legislators in Pennsylvania who still don't believe/understand that our community experiences discrimination. This seems to be the core issue -- convincing them that the legislation is necessary [...]
Attached is the slate card information for the upcoming General election, including the Steel City endorsed candidates and a detailed explanation on the importance of the Supreme Court election.
Please download the file, print out and take with you on election day.
Keep in mind that one of these elections [...]
My head is spinning and I suspect I might be either ill or just overwhelmed.
Podcamp Pittsburgh 4 wrapped up this afternoon. I learned a lot and met some really nice people. Definitely plan to be there next year. The session on advertising was great, but too short. The session on dressing [...]
Today sucked. Work was exhausting and I ended the day without completing the majority of it. I had to play the boss card which is always lacking in funness. Then I drove 2 hours in the rain on dark roads only to give up and go home so my dinner [...]
This weekend boasts National Coming Out Day on Sunday, October 11, 2009.
There's this big march you may have heard about ... this is a great rallying cry in the video above. The march has been contentious as has been much of the "gay agenda" as we grow and groups emerge [...]
Good morning! Just a quick note to let you know that I've turned on comment moderation for awhile. The pro-donut shop folks are getting a little over the top harassing me, to the point that I've had a casual chat with a lawyer. They've had plenty of opportunity to make their' [...]
Two quick items we mentioned last night on Sister ShOUT that are worth your attention.
First, legislation introduced in the Senate to amend the Constitution of Pennsylvania so as to define marriage as only between a man and a woman, the so-called Marriage Protection Amendment, has some legs. It is still [...]
Wow. The Little Donuts/Razete corner of the world are completing wigging out about the possibility of lesbians kissing in front of their store. They act like we are recruiting the members of POG to join us in a non-state sanctioned act of political dissent involving masks and Burt's Bees chapstick. Oh, [...]
Yep, we'll be covering the twists and turns in the whole wingnut/donut story this weekend, from the blog posts to the response of the Urban Spoon website. Tune in to hear our take on the importance of company branding when it comes to gay dollars. The topic of "buying gay"' [...]
Poor Darryl Metcalfe. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, the PA Representative from Cranberry has
received "lewd, vile and vulgar" e-mails and letters opposing his position. As a Christian, Metcalfe told colleagues, he still believes homosexuality is a "sinful lifestyle."
One of his critics, according to Metcalfe, said he was [...]
UPDATE: Local restaurant review site, The Urban Spoon, took down a slew of LGBTQ written comments about this business yesterday. I complained to the site managers and was told the comments "probably" contained Terms of Service violations, but no specifics (even on my own removed comment). I asked The [...]
What happens when you mix a hard-drinking cougar with a crowd filled with lesbians? Bedazzle.
Last night, an artist looked into my soul and shared my life with the world. It was like she took all my blog posts and read each one aloud. Strumming my life on her ukelele.
Ledcat [...]
In an earlier post, I mention the possibility of a Northside church hosting an ex-gay ministry. It caught my attention for two reasons.
First, these ministries are horrificly damaging, condemned by the American Psychological Association and prey upon very vulnerable people who need support sorting out their identy, not coercion. [...]
I think today is Bisexuality Awareness Day. Check out the GLAAD posts about this topic. I have multiple friends who are bisexual. Sadly, I have multiple acquaintances who 1) don't believe in bisexuality or 2) have no compunction mocking bisexual people as "not really gay." There's also the whole' [...]
Oh, the drama. Everywhere. Helicopters buzzing in the skies. Mysterious white cargo vans with big blue letters cruising the streets. Police takeovers of coffee houses. Soup kitchens being chased all over town. Pit bulls! Gay men. Churches. Table ladies.
My, oh my. I can't begin to keep up.
Check with' [...]
In no particular order, these are topics I'm hoping the Mayor's LGBT Advisory Committtee will review.
1. Treat the Dykes fair and square. In 2009, the Mayor's office was a $10,000 sponsor of PrideFest, ensuring the best in public safety and public works for an event worth tens of thousands of' [...]
Here's the tentative plan for upcoming shows ... shout at us if you have a suggestion.
Sister ShOUT!
Sundays 7-8 PM on [sistershout.outonline.com]
9/20 – Kevin Acklin, Independent Candidate for Mayor
9/27 – Tom Michalow, Democratic Candidate for County Council
10/4 – Franco Dok Harris, Independent Candidate for Mayor
10/11 – [...]
A major disadvantage to our new podcast experiment has been less time for blogging.
In time for the G-20, a roundup of some international LGBTQ information and news ....
Belgrade, Serbia has cancelled Gay Pride. In spite of plans of horrific violent attacks from anti-gay foes, the government backed the [...]
Sunday from 2-4 PM at Monte Cello's on Babcock Boulevard, come out to support Allegheny County Council candidate Tom Michalow. This event, sponsored by the Steel City Stonewall Democrats, gives you a chance to meet Tom and learn about his qualifications as well as the reasons LGBT persons from around [...]
File this under WTF?
Our home brewed hatefest that is Western Pennsylvania's House Rep Darryl Metcalfe strikes a blow again, literally, for the kind of perverted family values that revictimize victims of domestic violence. From the Keystone Progress Blog:
A simple resolution to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month by [...]
Tonight, my heart is heavy as I prepare to say good-bye to Guiding Light and wonder if there will be closure for Jeffrey and Reva? And if I'll find a television for my 10 AM lunch break. Sigh.
We caught the quarterly LGBT Film Festival film tonight at the Southside Works.' [...]
Some things that might peak your interest ...
The Mayor's LGBT Advisory Committee had their first meeting on Tuesday around 8:30 AM. I had previously contacted the individuals I had been advised (ha ha) would be serving and they basically sent me the exact sentences back in their various confirmation email [...]
The podcast for Episode 2 is up for your viewing pleasure at http://sistershout.outonline.com
This episode highlighted the history of the LGBTQ community in television history. Our guest was Fran Monaghan, blogmistress of Ms. Adventures on the Mon and TV News Critic for the Pittsburgh City Paper. We had a blast [...]
Check out our webpage at [sistershout.outonline.com]
I'm hoping we can add some great links to topics we discuss on our show..
Sunday, September 13 tune in for a lively discussion on the history of LGBT character and defining moments on broadcast television. Our guest will be media maven and City Paper' [...]
There's a guy who takes an evening bus to work to clean a City office building for a little more than minimum wage. He's a little afraid since the evening hours are anticipated to be the most confrontational. Since he's not a City employee or a unionized employee, he has [...]
First, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's LGBT Advisory Committee. Word from the Mayor's office is that an official announcement is imminent. Now, this is what they told me in early August so frankly, I'm skeptical EXCEPT that it will be a nice little quasi-progressive pre-election move on the part of the campaign. ' [...]
I had a great question sent to me privately about the my comment about female candidates disappearing with details on their very much alive campaigns.
Here's what I wrote:
(Yes, I realize that I complained during the endorsement meeting that all the women blended together, but I was probably onto something b/c [...]
Sunday, September 13 is the date of the annual Steel City Stonewall Democrats Fall Barbecue (yes, the s;mores will return) featuring apppearances and speeches by politicians seeking LGBTQ support for their upcoming elections.
The event runs from 2 PM - 6 PM. Ledcat and I will have to boogie out [...]
As per usual Americana, we "celebrated" the holiday by breakfasting at a local eatery (yes, Hoi Polloi) and then going retail at Staples, Target, Best Buy and Giant Eagle. I tried to muster up some sympathy for laborers, but the customer service experiences at the Cedar Avenue Giant Eagle are very [...]
The debut episode just aired to viewers of GayLifeTV and OutOnline. The "official" Sister ShOUT page will be up in a few days so you can see the podcast. It was a lot of fun and thanks to a very organized team, pretty smoothy. Smoothiness. :-)
I have a few [...]
Last night, Ledcat and I met with our producer - David from Gay Life TV and OutOnline.com. We made some slight adjustments to the show -- launch time is now 7 PM, instead of 6:30 PM (make a note!). He gave us some background into the foray into gay online [...]
Always glad when the PG picks up gay-positive news.
Homos are now legally getting married in Vermont. Reports that 18 Christo-bigots swooned and rumors that 11 marriages have been irreparably damaged after witnessing married gay people kissing. Registries are booming. Good stuff. Hello economic gain.
September 2009 marks my debut article with Cue Pittsburgh, the region's newest LGBT publication. A glossy magazine (think Whirl with more tiaras, fewer furs), Cue's success shows that Pittsburgh's community really is expanding in multiple directions.
I was asked to pen a piece about local florist and [...]
Its all the buzz at Lesbian Central --- Ledcat and I are launching a VODcast (videocast) this coming weekend in partnership with OUTonline and GayLife TV.
It is called "sister shOUT!" and will be a mix of queer women's news, album and social media reviews, updates on events and activities as [...]
This weekend brings sad news to the LGBTQ community among many others as we learned of the death of long time ACLU advocate, Larry Frankel. From the PG obiturary:
Mr. Frankel, the legislative director for the Pennsylvania American Civil Liberties Union from 1992 through 2008, died last week.
His body was [...]
I brought this to your attention a year ago when Brian Prowel appealed a federal court anti-discrimination ruling that determined what he had experienced in his workplace was based on his sexual orientation, not gender stereotyping.
Yesterday, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision and will allow [...]
Tune into OutOnline's Pridecast this weekend where I'll be sitting in with host Jason Lucarelli to bring a lesbian perspective to the show. I'm planning to delve into the controversy surround South African female runner, Caster Semenya, who is being forced to undergo gender testing in the wake of [...]
Ann Rodgers talks with a few local Lutherans about their reaction to the recent decision to accept partnered gay clergy. The language of acceptance was carefully tailored to allow those who object to equality on the basis of their religious beliefs to be free to continue to associate their [...]
Good news this Monday morning, especially for those of you wishing OUT in Pittsburgh media had more lesbian content and coverage. I've been invited to be a recurring guest on their biweekly podcast, PRIDEcast with Jason Lucarelli.
This will be a great chance to talk about important issues such as' [...]
You may have heard some rumblings that there's a ballot battle up in Maine. Perhaps you wonder what its all about and what it means for Pittsburgh.
Maine affords marriage equality to all residents. This means same sex couples can marry and enjoy the privileges and rights associated with that institution, [...]
The Post-Gazette has a little blurb about Obama's flip-flop on DOMA, making the excellent point that toning down the support requires action on the promise to repeal.
Never mind his conservative critics. Mr. Obama, who hasn't fulfilled his pledge to end "the don't ask, don't tell policy" on gays' [...]
I'm not sure Allegheny County Council should brag about adopting the "Philadelphia" model of non-discrimination legislation. First, there was the private swim club that refused to honor a contract to let children swim there because it (let me make sure I have the quote right) ... "changed the complexion" of' [...]
It has been a hell of a week. On top of everything else, my "little cold" escalated into bronchitis, a throat infection and an ear infection. I'm on antibiotics and couch rest for a few more days. This is a busy time at work so I'm pretty frustrated.
I tried blogging but [...]
I'm getting tired of learning how the privileged and elite and laptop fortified employees of Downtown are preparing for a few days without their Starbucks fix.
City council offices to close during G-20 Tuesday, August 18, 2009 By Liyun Jin, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteCity Council will adjust its calendar for the G-20 summit, President Doug' [...]
Protests on the Northside between the stadiums makes a weird sort of sense, even though I know there is no way on earth on I will be able to leave my home tucked a mile away from that locale. I've been told from friends that they were able to listen' [...]
Received this via email:
Thomas Merton Center
August 17, 2009
Emergency Civil Liberties Meeting
- Be There!!!
We tried to keep our G20 protests peaceful.
We applied for permits to create a framework for the many protesters from other areas to fit in peacefully and avoid chaos.
Our permits were denied. Does that [...]
Uploaded the photos from today's Kiss In at the Westin Hotel in Pittsburgh. About a dozen folks shows up, but unfortunately, I was the only local attendee. I kissed Jeff from Harrisburg! :-) He was drawn to my Steel City Stonewall shirt ...
Here's the link to the photos ... [...]
Is the Post-Gazette going to shut down during the G-20?
Anyway, the State can commit $6.3 million to a two day summit in Pittsburgh and not a penny of it extends to protecting civil liberties. No wonder your elected officials don't care that your programs and services are about' [...]
You know I've been helping with this little shindig at the Warhol, known as the "Unofficial" Official After Party for NetRoots which I in turn dubbed the "Gay Immaculate Reception" when I learned Mr. Franco Harris was planning to attend.
The party began at 9:30. We arrived about 9:45 and the' [...]
She was not pleased when I came out as a lesbian, until she realized I was getting an award (40 Under 40) and would be wearing a skirt to receive it. She came around and embraced Ledcat like another one of her grandkids. Same gifts every holiday. She even remembered her [...]
This afternoon I was a guest on the local podcast, PRIDEcast, sponsored by OUTonline. It was a lot of fun even though I was struggling with a cold. I had a brief flirtation with a radio career so I was fine with the banter although anxious about the camera. We [...]
A Kiss In here in Pittsburgh?
You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by
And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you"
On that you can rely
No matter what the future [...]
Talk about delayed reactions. On July 1, Allegheny County Council passed the Countywide Non-Discrimination Ordinance. On August 11, the American Family Association of PA prez Diane Gramley's ridiculous screech was printed in the Post-Gazette.
Not even worth quoting. She's completely on to our hidden agenda to forcibly convert the [...]
Busy day. We stopped by the Mall to discover that I have a "proprietory" watch (Fossil) which translates into driving to Grove City to buy a watch band. Not cool, Fossil. Not cool. I'm planning on wearing my pocketless culottes tomorrow so I can't even carry around my Blackberry as [...]
you know where I was going with this one, right?
It isn't a lack of queer news to report. HB 300 is still alive and kicking in committee, but the lack of a budget puts that squarely on the back burner. An inclusive-ENDA has been introduced in the House and Senate. ' [...]
When I caught the Post-Gazette's latest attempt to generate G-20 buzz, I almost choked on my coffee. Leaders for whom I hold a great deal of respect sound like hysterical school-girls who missed the activity bus.
We have an opportunity for public dialogue around our region's role in significant [...]
Looking for a few local folks interested in volunteering with the NetRoots Nation conference on Wednesday, August 12 to help prepare welcome packets. If you can help welcome 2,000+ progressive bloggers to Pittsburgh, please let me know.
[...]The Women and Girls Foundation is sponsoring a candlelight vigil tomorrow (Thursday).
The Women and Girls Foundation is organizing a candlelight vigil to be held in the portico of the City-County Building in Downtown, Pittsburgh, Thursday August 6th at 5:30pm to offer support and non-denominational prayers to the victims and [...]
Well, here's some good news on what's been a sad day in Pittsburgh. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act has been introduced in the Senate (already introduced in the House.)
Bettter news? Both PA Senators are co-sponsors of the legislation.
Even better? The bill is trans-inclusive.
An Oregon lawmaker made history Wednesday [...]
He brought it up first.
I'll admit it was the elephant in the room and I was debating how to bring it up without going into accusatory mode. Everyone talks about it. His Steel City Stonewall Questionnaire is pretty darn good, but "it" lurks like the tell tale heart. Or so' [...]
Here's another fine opportunity to be part of the decision making.
Steel City Stonewall Democrats open up their board meetings to the general memberships and the interested public. You can learn a lot of how the "behind the scenes" stuff works and people really do listen to you (even if they [...]The Post-Gazette has the details on the, well, lack of details on how disruptive the G-20 will be to Downtown Pittsburgh and nearby neighborhoods. For security purposes, we won't find out the extent of the traffic detours and the bus reroutes and the closed streets until a week beforehand. ' [...]
Four years ago, I added Laura to my AAA membership. I called, shared her information - including our relationship status - and paid the additional fee (same process as my Dad adding my Mom to his account). We've used repeatedly over the years; she's used it more oftenn than I' [...]
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I sat down to chat with Dok Harris in his DIY-themed campaign office in Oakland, hipply located under the former home of Phantom in the Attic comic store, but it sure wasn't a gentle reproof that I was slurping a Starbucks frappucino [...]
Here's the status of where Pennsylvania's House delegation stands on an Inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
UPDATED AS OF 7-23-09 6:30pm; In this column: Definite Yes Probable Yes Total Yes Unconfirmed Probable No Definite No Notes PENNSYLVANIA Robert A. Brady x CS 2009; co-sponsor in 2007 Chaka Fattah x CS 2009; co-sponsor in 2007 Kathleen A. Dahlkemper x voted yes on hate crimes bill; Sabrina Schnur: [...]
