2016 Pittsburgh Pride Magazine

May/June 2016

Kesha

pride in the street featuring

Your Complete Guide to Pittsburgh Pride 2016 Angel Haze Comes to the ’Burgh Benvenuto! Italy Welcomes You Why Trans Ain’t Trendy

Let’s talk about PrEP | Beyond the Binary | Calendar of Events | Pink Pages

Standing by our city!

Innovation, inclusion, diversity – attributes that inspire outstanding contributions to our community.

EQT holds these same qualities in high regard as we responsibly develop the region’s abundant source of natural gas.

We’re committed to protecting the environment and believe in meaningful engagement with the communities we call home.

For us, it’s so much more than just doing business. Our employees live here, have grown up here and have great respect for their neighbors.

Helping our communities grow and thrive, EQT is proud to sponsor Pittsburgh Pride!

Women

Organizations Churches

Culture

Synagogues

Generations

Local

Race

Children

Communities

WE’RE ALL IN THIS

Seniors

TOGETHER.

Immigrants LGBT

Disabilities

Newcomers

Faith

Mosques

Youth Global

Schools

Families

Veterans

Men

The world is made up of many different people. But there’s one place that is always striving to foster a culture of collaboration, dignity and respect for everyone.

UPMC Center for Engagement and Inclusion. Because together, we’re better.

The UPMC Center for Engagement and Inclusion is a proud supporter of Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Pride.

BCD-SYS-10789_delta_foundation_b.indd 1

3/30/16 10:36 AM

Mylan believes we all share one wish – to go where our dreams take us.

At Mylan, we’re committed to helping people live their dreams by providing access to high quality medicine for the world’s 7 billion people, one person at a time.

From our humble roots in nearby West Virginia to our global center in the Greater Pittsburgh area, we’re proud to walk with you at Pittsburgh Pride and beside you through life.

#TogetherWeAreStronger

@MylanNews @MylanCareers

Mylan.com

Available on 96.1 KISS HD-2 and

and

are proud sponsors

Be true.

Be proud.

Be you.

At Philips, we value all of our employees, and are proud of who they are. Our Pride North America employee resource group is a result of that pride, and helps foster a healthy work environment by giving LGBT and Ally members an opportunity to discuss what’s important to them professionally and personally. To learn more about pursuing a career with Philips, visit www.philips.com/us

Love

is

Love

Comcast Supports Pittsburgh Pride.

Comcast NBCUniversal earned a 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2016 Corporate Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year and was named a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

Follow us @OUTComcast

The Andy Warhol Museum receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency and The Heinz Endowments. Further support is provided by the Allegheny Regional Asset District.

117 Sandusky St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 • 412.237.8300 • warhol.org

Publisher Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh

Director of Marketing and Development Christine Bryan

Board Members Mary Jo Geyer Charles W. Honse* Patrick J. Journet William R. Kaelin* Charles C. Lukehart August “Buzz” C. Pusateri Jim Sheppard Brian J. Stankavich Donnie R. Thinnes* Charles P. Tierney* Gary A. Van Horn Jr.

Art Direction A to Z Communications For questions, comments, and advertising inquiries, please email info@deltafoundation.us Delta Foundation P.O. Box 100057 Pittsburgh, PA 15233

* Emeritus Board Members

The mission of the Delta Foundation is to be a vigilant catalyst for change that produces increased opportunities and a high quality of life for the LGBT community in western Pennsylvania.

Opinions and claims made by advertisers are those of the advertisers ONLY. The Delta Foundation accepts no liability for claims made by advertisers. All rights reserved. © 2016 Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh.

D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

13

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf

TEN DAYS OF FREE Greetings:

It is my pleasure to join with the Delta Foundation to welcome you to the events and celebrations of Pittsburgh Pride 2016. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all those individuals and organizations that helped to make this celebration possible.

JUNE 3 – 12, 2016

Pittsburgh Pride is an opportunity to celebrate this year’s continued progress for LGBT equality in Pennsylvania. In April, I proudly signed two Executive Orders in an effort to explicitly and decisively end discrimination based on sexual orientation in the executive branch of our state government. But while these executive orders apply to commonwealth employees and employees of contractors doing business with the commonwealth, we need the legislature to pass a statewide non-discrimination bill that protects all Pennsylvanians and makes it clear to the world that Pennsylvania is a welcoming place for everyone.

What North Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee did is wrong, and equally as troubling is the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s inaction on passing non-discrimination legislation in the commonwealth to ensure that all people are treated equally under Pennsylvania law. In fact, Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast that does not have legislation to prohibit LGBT discrimination. This fundamental right is essential, and enjoys broad, bipartisan support.

POINT STATE PARK GATEWAY CENTER • CULTURAL DISTRICT EXPLORE THE DAILY LINEUP AT TRUSTARTS.ORG/TRAF

We need to ensure that Pennsylvania is a welcoming place regardless of the color of your skin, your gender, the religion you profess, or the person you love. This is why I commend all involved in Pittsburgh Pride for their commitment to supporting, advancing, and celebrating all who attend this event.

As Governor, and on behalf of all the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I am delighted to welcome you all to Pittsburgh Pride.

Please accept my best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable event.

Tom Wolf Governor 14 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

Advancing each generation through diversity and inclusion.

www.alcoa.com

Advancing each generation.

Innovating for more than 128 years, we’ve learned that the best way to achieve great ideas is through open minds and an open workplace. Alcoa is honored to achieve the Corporate Equality Index top score of 100 percent for seven consecutive years and to be named one of HRC’s 2016 Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.

County of Allegheny – Executive Office County Executive Rich Fitzgerald

City of Pittsburgh – Office of the Mayor Mayor William Peduto

Dear Friends:

Dear Friends:

It is my honor to welcome you to Pittsburgh Pride 2016. This annual event is greatly anticipated every year and I am excited that you have decided to join in the festivities. From Pride in the Street, to PrideFest, to the Big Gay Picnic and the Equality March, there is something for everyone.

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Pittsburgh Pride 2016. This event is a great opportunity to celebrate Pittsburgh’s diversity and the progress we have made in advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ community.

There is much to cleebrate this year at Pride, as it was just one yeaer ago, on June 26, 2015, that marriage equality was declared legal in all 50 states. I know many of you have been leading the fight for this cause, and I applaud you on those efforts, and was proud to join you in your call to action. The 5-4 decision handed down by the Supreme Court just reaffirms what many of us already knew — that love is love. This ruling has offered dignity and respect to those in the LGBTQ community, and will only further strengthen our communities and families.

This year’s theme, “Together We Are Stronger,” shows that as a whole we can accomplish much more than is possible individually.

In Pennsylvania, LGBTQ people can be fired, denied a mortgage, or refused efforts to change this antiquated law have still not yet been acted on by the State Legislature, even as many of our friends in the House and Senate champion this change. Through the activism and engagement of members of our community, it is possible to make a difference for those who still suffer from discrimination. I will continue to join you in this fight to make equality the law of the land in our Comonwealth.

We are glad that here in Allegheny County, diversity and inclusion are celebrated. As a symbol of our support, the Allegheny County Courthouse will be lit in rainbow colored lights throughout the week.

Best wishes to all for a safe and fun Pride 2016!

This year’s theme, “Together We Are Stronger,” is a phrase that truly embodies the City of Pittsburgh. As a City, we have certainly faced obstacles. However, by coming together, there is no problem too large that we cannot solve.

As mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, I am committed to ensuring that Pittsburgh is a welcoming place for all to call home. Last year during Pride, I had the historic privilege of marrying nineteen same sex couples. This moment was truly worthy of celebration—however, the fight continues beyond marriage equality.

No person should have to worry about job security because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or the way that they choose to express themselves. Working together, we have created policies in the City that protect our employees and our residents. Now is the time for our country to embrace these same ideals.

This is the time to celebrate our victories and to continue to look to the future. I look forward to joining you in celebration, and I truly wish you all a safe and fun Pride week. #TogetherWeAreStronger Sincerely,

Sincerely, William Peduto Mayor Rich Fitzgerald Allegheny County Executive 16 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

Animals don’t care who you are or who you love.

Neither do we... as long as you love them!

Animal Rescue League Board Director Frank Tallarico & his husband, Kyle Cunningham, celebrate their anniversary by adopting a kitten at Pittsburgh Pridefest.

6620 Hamilton Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 www.animalrescue.org • 412.345.7300

Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh Gary A. Van Horn Jr., President

Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh Chris Bryan, Director of Marketing & Development

Dear Friends:

Dear Friends:

It’s two weeks before the Pennsylvania primary and Donald Trump is in Pittsburgh. I was outside the David L. Lawrence convention center and the pro-Trump supporters were clashing with the anti-Trump supporters and I thought “Is this the America we really want?” This protest was about hate. Pure and simple. I saw it. I smelled it. I haven’t felt so much hate since I marched in Baltic Pride in Vilnius, Lithuania, a few years ago. I was with 500 other proud LGBT community members, allies and foreign diplomats. We were surrounded on both sides by police in riot gear with masks. Behind them were 1200 protestors. The same feelings and emotions I felt in Lithuania I was now feeling in Pittsburgh, PA. My hometown.

What a difference a year makes!

I also felt the hate last March when HB2 was signed into law by Gov. McCrory stating that trans people can only use the bathrooms and changing facilities that correspond to their gender identity on their birth certificate.

Is this the American we want?

While we applaud Governor Wolf for signing two executive orders aimed at protecting state government employees and contractors from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, it’s only a start. Broader legislation protecting Pennsylvania’s LGBT community—House/Senate Bill 300—would be the real force for change.

Could similar anti-LGBT legislation pass in Pennsylvania? You can be sure that Representative Daryl Metcalf is watching what is happening in North Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee!

Together we are Stronger as the theme for Pittsburgh Pride 2016 could not be more timely or important. We’ve made tremendous strides, but we have so much work to do. We must be a voice for those that can’t speak, speak up when things are wrong, and do our part to make the world a better place for all.

It’s not time to “Make America Great again.” It is time to Make America better. It’s time to make America a place where ALL people are treated with dignity and respect. It’s time to go outside of our network of friends and family and meet new people and learn something new. That is the America I want to live in and I will do my part to make this become a reality.

Happy Pride Pittsburgh!

Gary A. Van Horn President, Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh

18 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

On June 26, 2015, in a historic 5–4 ruling, the Supreme Court of the United States found the ban on marriage equality to be unconstitutional—and that the fundamental right to marriage is a fundamental right for all. It was an awesome win for my LGBT friends and the celebration on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside was one that I will long remember.

While it was a clear victory, the fight for equality and to be treated with dignity and respect still has a long way to go. I don’t know if it’s backlash to the legalization of gay marriage, the growing visibility of trans people in the media, or just election season, but the rhetoric surrounding anti-discrimination toward the trans community as it relates to bathrooms is astounding. The interesting thing is that you have been using the restroom alongside trans people for years, and you just didn’t know it.

What hasn’t been discussed much is what it means for those who are gender nonconforming—women and men, girls and boys whose appearance doesn’t fit neatly into those traditional male and female boxes. My very dear friend happens to be what some may call a butch lesbian. I can’t tell you the number of times we’ve been out to dinner and the wait staff has called her “him” or “sir.” She’s used to it. I’m just appalled and want to give them a piece of my mind.

As you can tell, my sympathies lie with those who are judged and discriminated against on the basis of their appearance. I know just how hurtful these kinds of comments are. I was a sophomore in college when the sorority I was pledging told me that I wasn’t being accepted because I didn’t “fit the mold.”

Sure it stung, but in the end it was a life lesson that I think has brought me to where I am today. It’s true that I’m not LGB or T. But I am an ally…and a proud one.

See you on Liberty Avenue!

Chris Bryan

Director of Marketing and Development

Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh

At Huntington, we believe that the strongest communities are the ones in which every voice is heard. Because a diversity of perspective, experience and ideas just leads to better all-around outcomes for everyone. That’s why we’re proud to support the LGBT community and their allies. And that’s why we say to every customer and colleague who walks through our doors, Welcome.

® Member FDIC. and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ® Huntington Welcome.™ is a service mark of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. © 2016 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

We couldn’t do this without you…thank you Partner Organizations & Sponsors 5801 Video Lounge 941/Tilden A to Z Communications ACLU of PA American Eagle Animal Rescue League Blue Moon Center for Inclusion at UPMC Chevron Chipotle Circle of Faith Comcast

Coordinated Care Network Cruze Bar Dignity & Respect Campaign Element EQT FedEx Ground First Commonwealth Bank Giant Eagle Google Highmark iHeart Radio

Images Jim Beam Brands Landmark Security Marckisotto Markets, Inc. Marriott City Center MillerCoors Mylan PANTHERx Philips Pittsburgh Ballroom Community Pittsburgh Black Pride

Pittsburgh Transportation Group PNC Financial Services Port Authority of Allegheny County Project Silk Rise Up 4 Unity Rugby Realty Southern Wine & Spirits There Video Lounge Three Rivers Arts Festival Trans Youniting UPMC

Allegheny County Council Amanda Abbott Lindsay Berdell Var Blackson Alan Boarts Heather & Jeff Bresch Lynne Bryan Sgt. Barry Budd Rob Buswell Charles L. Caputo Louis F. Caputo, Esq. Ben Carlise Candi Castleberry-Singleton Bill Chisnell Guy Costa Bill Creen Lt. Ed Cunningham Amber Custer

Chief Tony Darkawski Ray DeMichiei Jody Dougherty Amie Downs Don Doyle Erika Ducoeur David Edgar Marcie Eberhart Kevin Evanto Honorable Rich Fitzgerald Ron Florian Mike Gable David Gapsky Ofc. Christie Gasiorowski Lauren Gohde Flecia Harvey Commander Eric Holmes

Stephen Jamieson Brian Katz Peter Katz Miranda Kent Kevin Kinross Jim Koch Commander Anna Kudrav Commander Jason Lando Dalen Leaks Jennifer Liptak Brian Masters Kenny McDowell Chief Cameron McLay Ralph Morrow Scott Noxon Alieu Nyassi Sean Oats

Sara Oliver-Carter Omar Pack Pittsburgh City Council Mayor Bill Peduto Adam Pokorski Chuck Rompala Ellen Rossi Phyllis Rupert Ron Sander Commander Larry Scirotto Stephen Shanley Lyndsey Sickler Dena Stanley Lt. Ed Trapp Sunny Varasso Larry Walsh Helga Ying

Equality March Working Group

Marketing Working Group Michelle Flewellen Daniel Haas Danielle Kellington-Welsh Austin Kwisnek DeAnna Lindauer Charles Mack II Amanda Martin Simone McDavis Douglas McIntyre Lilianne Miles

Nicholas Oller Ashley Parks DJ Ryan Tjandra Santoso Mindi Schompert Jiovonie Sitomer Sage Warren Jeffrey Watson

Special Thanks

Paul Castro Jeff Freedman Norm Hockendoner Kelly Kinsey Heather Krainz Jimmy Sampson Jeffrey Wankster 20 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

Diane Anderson Julian Arney Amanda Axelson James Bero Pamela Bolger Yvonne Burton Cindy Checkeye Shawn Coughanour Paula Davis Eric DiCenzo

We couldn’t do this without you‌thank you Operations Working Group Diane Anderson Julian Arney Larry Bartlebaugh James Bero Sara Black Pamela Bolger Adrian Buchmelter Yvonne Burton Cindy Checkeye Brandy Coles Shawn Coughanour Danielle DeRiso

Emily Emsurak Andy Fang Michelle Flewellen Jocelyn Gallagher David Gapsky Ben Geibel Daniel Haas Audra Harding William Hogue Timothy Jordan Danielle Kellington-Welsh Austin Kwisnek

Stacy Lane DeAnna Lindauer Veronica Manzanilla Amanda Martin Simone McDavis Shane McGarvey Allison McGrail Douglas McIntyre Nicholas Oller Ashley Parks Jessica Pesco Asa Ponton

Dartanyon Prescott DJ Ryan Tjandra Santoso Mindi Schompert Deborah Scotto Flip Shuffstall Jiovonie Sitomer Christine Smith Natalie Transue Jesse Vanpool Danielle Vineyard Sage Warren

Jason Dixon Andy Fang David Gapsky Daniel Haas Audra Harding William Hogue Timothy Jordan Danielle Kellington-Welsh Austin Kwisnek Chelsey Lambertus

Amanda Martin Loni McCartney Simone McDavis Shane McGarvey Lilianne Miles Nicholas Oller Ashley Parks Alex Pasculli Dartanyon Prescott Robert Reese

Shawn Riley DJ Ryan Tjandra Santoso Mindi Schompert Christine Smith Megan Sullivan Natalie Transue Jesse Vanpool Jeffrey Watson

Stacy Lane Deanna Lindauer Charles Mack Veronica Manzanilla Jonathan McComas Simone McDavis Shane McGarvey Douglas McIntyre Lilianne Miles Nicholas Oller Ashley Parks Sarita Pearce Jessica Pesco Asa Ponton Dartanyon Prescott Michelle Robinson

DJ Ryan Matthew Sampson Tjandra Santoso Mindi Schompert Marie Shick Flip Shuffstall Jiovonie Sitomer Karon Spriggs-Bethea Natalie Transue Glenn Tuttle Don Tyler Jesse Vanpool Danielle Vineyard Jeffrey Watson Tierra Zuro

Volunteer Working Group Amanda Anderson Diane Anderson Julian Arney Jordan Ball James Bero Sara Black Pamela Bolger Yvonne Burton Shawn Coughanour Eric DiCenzo

Entertainment Working Group Amanda Axelson Mckayla Barrett Jodi Begey James Bero David Birmingham Sara Black Pamela Bolger Queen Brazil Emily Burch Yvonne Burton Cindy Checkeye Brandy Coles Shawn Coughanour Charles Danto Paula Davis 22 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

Danielle Deriso Eric Dicenzo Chris Eckles Emily Emsurak Andy Fang Rio Fisher David Gapsky Ben Geibel Pamela Giddens Daniel Haas Stephanie Heasley Timothy Jordan Danielle Kellington-Welsh Eric Kochanowski Elizabeth Kraft Austin Kwisnek

Love is Patient.

Love is Proud. “The Renaissance happily plans fabulous events for all couples�

- Christine Zimmick, Director of Catering

renaissancepittsburghpa.com 107 Sixth Street Contact our wedding specialist: renaissancepittsburghpa.com 412-992-2047

Contributors & Thank Yous MIKE BUZZELLI is a stand-up comedian and published author. He is a theater and arts critic for ’Burgh Vivant, Pittsburgh’s online cultural talk magazine, and an active board member of the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, the Carnegie Arts Initiative and the Carnegie Screenwriters. His book, Below Average Genius, is a collection of essays culled from his weekly humor column in the Observer-Reporter.

BRIAN BROOME is employed in the service industry in the City of Pittsburgh. He is also a student at Chatham University.

CHRISSY COSTA is a stand-up comedian, actress and freelance writer. She studied sketch comedy at Chicago’s famed Second City. Her work has been featured in several local LGBT publications, and you may recognize her from her column, “Last Woman Standing.”

She’s a fan of activism, big earrings and causing an awkward silence.

STEPHAN FERRIS resides in San Francisco, California, and has previously modeled in the adult entertainment industry under the pseudonym Blue Bailey. He uses his brand to advocate modern safer sex practices and decriminalization of HIV. Being HIV-positive himself, Stephan has worked globally to promote this social message and is a rising second year law student.

KELLY KINSEY is a homecook, obsessed Cooking Channel watcher, and social media stalker of all things food related. Kelly and her partner Heather are moms to two youngsters. Check out her foodie blog at ourhousecafepgh.com and follow her on Twitter at @ourhousecafepgh.

DOUGLAS McINTYRE is a Carnegie Mellon University graduate now working in marketing for the Tepper School of Business. He serves on the board of the Renaissance City Choir, Western Pennsylvania’s only LGBTQIA chorus.

In his spare time, he is proud that he has a friend group consisting exclusively of other queer-identified people.

Mark Segal is the publisher of Philadelphia Gay News and an award-winning commentator in LGBT media. He was one of the four members of the Action Group that organized demonstrations for three nights after the infamous Stonewall Riots. Mark has been named to the National Lesbian Gay Journalist Hall of Fame, appointed to the Comcast Joint Diversity Committee to advise on LGBT issues, and in 2014 developed and opened the John C. Anderson LGBT Friendly Senior Affordable apartments in Philadelphia.

RICK SICILIO is the owner of Classic Travel and Tours in Pittsburgh. He is an avid, worldwide traveler and has visited 66 countries to date. For more than 20 years, Rick and his staff have been assisting clients to embrace their wanderlust and travel the world.

REV. ROBIN LANDERMAN ZUCKER is the Assistant Minister at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh (first-unitarian-pgh.org).

In her work, she conducts weddings and services of union and counsels couples of all orientations and identities. To contact Robin, email flowingforce@verizon.net.

Are YOU interested in writing for the 2017 Pittsburgh Pride Magazine?

Email us at info@DeltaFoundation.us 24 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

1ST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

underwear KARAOKE EVERY THURSDAY

KARAOKE

EVERY TUESDAY & FRIDAY

SHOT BOYS

HAPPY HOUR

Mon-Fri 5-7 PM Sat-Sun 10 PM-midnight

DJ’S EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY! DAILY SPECIALS

MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT Sun

$3 $4 $2 $3 $4 $3 $2

Captain Morgan Long Island Iced Teas Coors Light bottles Captain Morgan Long Island Iced Teas Pinnacle vodka Coors Light bottles

965 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 391-9990 Open 2 PM to 2 AM 365 days a year!

2016-2017

NOVEMBER 22-27 • BENEDUM CENTER

JANUARY 3-8

HEINZ HALL

Illustrations by Peter De Séve

OCTOBER 18-23 • BENEDUM CENTER

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 5 • BENEDUM CENTER

APRIL 4-9 • BENEDUM CENTER

APRIL 11-16 • HEINZ HALL

TRUSTARTS.ORG

MAY 30-JUNE 11 BENEDUM CENTER

SEASON TICKETS

412-456-1390

PNC Broadway In Pittsburgh is a presentation of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

GROUPS 10+ TICKETS

412-471-6930

ON SALE NOW! SEPTEMBER 20-25 BENEDUM CENTER

TRUSTARTS.ORG • 412-456-4800 • BOX OFFICE AT THEATER SQUARE • GROUPS 10+ TICKETS 412-471-6930 KINKYBOOTSTHEMUSICAL.COM

PNC Broadway In Pittsburgh is a presentation of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

JUN

4

Calendar of

EVENTS MAY 26

Lola LeCroix’s VAIN with Kim Chi

Cavo, Strip District KimChiVain@eventbrite.com MAY 27

Latrice Royale

Cruze Bar, Strip District cruze.com MAY 29

Big Gay Picnic

Noon | North Park Lodge, Pearce Mill Road pittsburghpride.org/tickets

Open Streets Pittsburgh

Market Square, Penn Avenue openstreetspgh.org JUNE 1

RuPaul’s Drag Race

8 p.m. | Carnegie Library Music Hall, Homestead librarymusichall.com

MAY

JUN

27

5

JUNE 4

SCSL Mr. and Mrs. Steel City Softball League Pageant

8 p.m. | Cruze Bar, Strip District

LGBTQ+ Youth Prom: DISRUPTION 7 p.m. | Warhol Museum warhol.org JUNE 4–5

Renaissance City Choir: Hand in Hand Pride concert 4 p.m. | East Liberty Presbyterian Church Courtyard rccpittsburgh.com JUNE 4–AUG. 28

Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei

Andy Warhol Museum, North Side | warhol.org JUNE 5

Circle of Faith

JUNE 3

2–3:30 p.m.

Schenley Plaza, Oakland

Presented by iCandy and Impulse 9 p.m. | Cattivo, Lawrenceville

Ready. Set. Pride!

Fusion

JUNE 3–12

Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival Downtown Pittsburgh 3riversartsfest.org

28 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

5 p.m. | Ellsworth Avenue, Shadyside

Download Our FREE App Today!

JUNE 8

“Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar”

Presented by Citiparks 9 p.m.

Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park JUNE 10

Pittsburgh Pride Pub Crawl

8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Various Locations pittsburghpride.org/tickets JUNE 11

Kesha at Pride in the Street

Pittsburgh’s largest dance party!

Liberty Avenue Downtown Pittsburgh pittsburghpride.org/tickets JUNE 12

Equality March

Noon | Downtown Pittsburgh

PrideFest

1 p.m. | Liberty Avenue (between 6th & 10th Street) Downtown Pittsburgh JUNE 17–19

Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival & Parade columbuspride.org

JUNE 18

Ball on the Bridge: Bridging the Gap 8 p.m. – Midnight Andy Warhol Bridge JUNE 21–26

NYC Pride nycpride.org

JUNE 24–SEPT. 4

Killer Heels

Frick Art & Historical Center killerheelsfrick.org JUNE 24–26

The Lord of the Rings and more: The Film Music of Howard Shore Heinz Hall | TrustArts.org JUNE 24–26

Pittsburgh Jazz Live International Festival Downtown Pittsburgh TrustArts.org JUNE 26

Open Streets Pittsburgh

Market Square, Penn Avenue openstreetspgh.org JUNE 28

Dolly Parton

8 p.m. | Consol Energy Center ticketmaster.com

JUN

JUL

18

27 SEP

20 AUG

JUL

13

8

JUNE 30

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo with the Pittsburgh Symphony 7:30 p.m. | Heinz Hall TrustArts.org JULY 1

Dirty Paw: A Night of Furry Fetish & Fantasy Cruze Bar, Strip District JULY 3–17

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Various locations | pvgp.org JULY 7–24

Opera Theater Summerfest

Winchester Thurston School, Shadyside | otsummerfest.org JULY 8

Bill Maher

8 p.m. | Heinz Hall | TrustArts.org

PGH200 Bicentennial Bash Heinz History Center pgh200.com JULY 9

PGH200Anniversary Celebration Point State Park | pgh200.com

Fetish 101

Cruze Bar, Strip District cruze.com JULY 13

Boy George & Culture Club

7:30 p.m. | Heinz Hall heinzhall.org JULY 17

Pittsburgh Blues Festival Stage AE | pghblues.com JULY 22

Music of David Bowie with the Pittsburgh Symphony 7:30 p.m. | Heinz Hall TrustArts.org JULY 26–31

Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA Benedum Center TrustArts.org JULY 27

Health Fair in the Square

Presented by Pittsburgh Black Pride | 6 p.m. | Market Square pittsburghblackpride.com

The Aggressive One & Ms. Femme Pageant

Presented by Pittsburgh Black Pride | 6:30 p.m.

Carnegie Library Homewood, 7101 Hamilton Avenue pittsburghblackpride.com JULY 31

Pittsburgh Black Pride Annual BBQ

Prospect Drive, Schenley Park pittsburghblackpride.com

Open Streets Pittsburgh

Market Square, Penn Avenue openstreetspgh.org AUGUST 13

Trans Community Picnic 2–7 p.m. | North Park AUGUST 18–21

SEPTEMBER 20–24

Thrival Innovation & Music Festival thrivalfestival.com

SEPTEMBER 20–25

Kinky Boots Benedum Center TrustArts.org OCTOBER 3

Il Divo: Amor & Pasion Tour 7:30 p.m. | Heinz Hall TrustArts.org OCTOBER 13–22

Reel Q—Pittsburgh LGBT Film Festival Harris Theater | reelq.com OCTOBER 27

Carol Burnett 8 p.m. | Heinz Hall TrustArts.org

Bloomfield Little Italy Days

Nightmare on Hellsworth

Cleveland Pride Festival & Parade

World AIDS Day

littleitalydays.com

clevelandpride.org

SEPTEMBER 16–25

Silk Screen Film Festival silkscreenfestival.org

TBA

NOVEMBER 30

Commemeration Service Heinz Chapel DECEMBER 1

(PITTSBURGH)RED World AIDS Day D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

29

Kesha Warrior Spirit

WHEN RAPPER FLO RIDA’S “RIGHT ROUND” HIT NUMBER ONE, it had unexpected consequences for one particular young girl. In 2009, Kesha was an uncredited collaborator on the chart-busting single. And all of a sudden, people began to take notice of Kesha Rose Sebert, who was performing under the alias Ke$ha.

For years, she was the girl with the dollar sign in her name. The selfappointed stylized moniker was supposed to be ironic. Kesha had come up with it when hanging out with a friend. Despite the success of “Right Round,” which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, she was broke. She never benefitted financially from the hit song. Kesha

By Michael Buzzelli

said, “It was number one in a bajillion countries and I didn’t have enough money to buy myself a taco.”

Kesha added, “I was talking to one of my friends about it and I was like, ‘What the hell!’ I literally had two dollars to my name, and she was like, ‘Whatever. You don’t need money. You’re money.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah! I’m money!’ So the dollar sign was really just me taking the piss out of the fact that I was broke while being on a numberone record. It’s actually just being ironic about the whole money thing, because I actually stand for the opposite of putting a lot of emphasis on money.” continued >>

30 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

>>

By 2010, when she released her debut album Animal, she had reached the top of the charts on her own with the first single “Tik Tok.” Her sultry solo topped the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks and sold 610,000 digital units in one week. Other chart-topping songs flowed forth from the album, including the buoyant “Your Love Is My Drug” and the anti-bullying anthem, “We R Who We R.”

Fame is strange, and unnatural, and I’m grateful for it. Mainly because it has put me in the position where I can actually do something positive for the world.

She added, “It’s really hard to find confidence in yourself and love yourself when the world criticizes you for being yourself. Believe me, when I sing these words, I’m talking to myself as much as I’m talking to everyone else.”

Kesha doesn’t identify as gay or straight. In an article for Seventeen magazine, she said, “I don’t just love men. I love people. It’s not about a gender. It’s just about the spirit that exudes from the person you’re with.”

Kesha elaborated her stance on defending LGBT rights. She said, “I’m all about standing up to gay/lesbian/transgender bullying.”

Kesha is standing up to bullies. The pop star has a brother who gets made fun of because he stutters. She said, “I have zero tolerance for making fun of others.”

She is a warrior, after all.

In 2012, she released her second album, Warrior. She wasn’t done collaborating with other successful musicians. In 2013, she contributed to Pitbull’s hit single, “Timber.”

Her meteoric rise to fame has not been without personal struggle.

In 2014, after a stay at Timberland Knolls seeking treatment for eating disorder, the pop star dropped the dollar sign moniker. She opted to use her real name and even changed her Twitter handle to @KeshaRose. In March, 2014, she posted “Happy to be back!

Feeling healthy and working on tons of new music…I can’t thank fans enough for the support u have given me.”

the Street in e id r P s line Kesha head aturday, June 11 ETS on S 88-71-TICK For

rg/tickets or

urghpride.o

sit pittsb ticket info, vi

8

On March 6, 2016, Kesha won the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award. The prestigious award is presented to those who use their elevated positions to benefit the LGBT community. At the ceremony a teary-eyed Kesha said, “Fame is strange, and unnatural, and I’m grateful for it. Mainly because it has put me in the position where I can actually do something positive for the world.”

D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

31

An Angel

Comes to Pittsburgh

This kind of storytelling is common for Haze’s music. She says her music is intended to “document the world as it is, seeing it in retrospect.” Importantly, she does not allow her retrospective turn pessimistic. “People pay more attention to my tragedy than I do,” she said. “I want to look for something beautiful.”

By Douglas McIntyre THE PERSONA OF ANGEL HAZE ON SOCIAL MEDIA IS pretty typical of someone in their early twenties: self-consciously critical, not taking herself seriously even as she pays serious attention to the world around her. The persona of Angel Haze in her lyrics, however, is more like the self-aggrandizing hip hop of her contemporaries: full of bravado about her abilities and accomplishments. She recognizes her own faults and is not shy about expressing them publicly, but she says her musical confidence comes from knowing her own skills. “I’ve conquered something in my life.”

She describes her music as “an alternative to everything,” to R&B, to hip hop, to jazz. “It’s experimental alternative music.” Back to the Woods, an EP she produced with TK Kayembe and released in September, shows her adaptable style, from smooth, mellow vocals to lightning-fast raps. While she was working with Republic Records—with whom she released her debut album, Dirty Gold, at the end of 2013, she worried that she would get pigeon-holed as a rapper. She has since left the label and is enjoying creative control over her music.

Haze gained recognition via several mix tapes, including Reservation and Classick, the latter containing a powerful reworking of Eminem’s “Cleanin’ Out My Closet.” Her raw, aggressive lyrics explore her own experiences with sexual assault as a child, but transcend her own feelings into those of many others who may have experienced similar abuses.

32 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

Haze will bring beauty to the stage at this year’s Pride in the Street in the form of flowers—something she loves including in her shows —along with her high-energy R&B songs. “I’m a rock-and-roll rager,” she said. She’s excited to be joining Kesha as a featured performer.

“I love her live show. It’s really like a party.” Both Kesha and Haze performed at last year’s L.A. Pride, and Haze is excited to come to Pittsburgh this year. “I love Pennsylvania. I’m always happy to be there.”

Though she identifies as pansexual and agender, Haze does not consider herself a symbol for the community. “I don’t have a coming out story,” she said. “I didn’t come out.” In a freestyle cover of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love,” Haze says that her mother knew she wasn’t straight. “She sat me on the couch/Looked me straight in my face/And said you’ll burn in hell/Or probably die of AIDS.” Haze said she valued being able to use the song as a vehicle for a coming out story. She also doesn’t stress over pronouns; articles have referred to her both as she and they, but she said, “It doesn’t matter to me.”

Haze said she’d hope that Pride-goers this year come away with one message: Freedom. “Be in the moment,” she said.

Angel Haze will be performing at Pride in the Street on Saturday, June 11.

For tickets, visit pittsburghpride.org/tickets or 888-71-TICKETS. Keep up with Angel Haze on Twitter at @AngelHaze and SoundCloud at soundcloud.com/angxlhxze.

Serving clients for 27 years with strategy and communications that deliver results Advertising • Branding • Print • Web Identity • Packaging • Environments Broadcast • Pubic Relations

CREATIVE THAT WORKS

A to Z Communications, inc. atozcommunications.com 412 471 4160

Parker St

1-279 n Rd

8

19

Arlington ton

8th S1

St

S 18th St

Arlington gto

19

ns St

Co lli

sA ve alla SD

Blv d

Ave

kA ve 837

r South Side lB eta Works tM Ho

e

EC ar so nS t

376

837

30

22

Greenfiel eld The Link 91 Wendel Rd.

885

Monster Pittsburgh 2204 E. Carson St.

19

s Ave Wilkin

S Dallas Av e

S Millvale

Forbes Ave

Sixth Prebyterian Church 1688 Murray Ave.

(Herminie, PA) Arlington Ave

S Highland Ave

ge

rid

Blo om fie ld B

Schenley Plaza

idg

SOUTHSID OUT DE St 8th S1

Ave

SQ QUIRREL REL HIL LL

St Irvine

There Ultra Lounge 931 Liberty Ave.

51

Ave

City Theatre 1300 Bingham St.

ins

51

Haz Ha azelwood

ra dd oc

Libe rty Brid ge

ls ert y Tu E Warrington

Ave

Wilk

ve 5th A

Forw a

376

Beech wood B lvd Beechwood Blvd

GLCC 210 Grant St.

ton

E Carson St

ilto

22

Ave

Lib

ing

13th St

Wo od ruf f

Arl

837

Ham

rd Av e

SB

ridg e dB Smit hfie l

idge

d Br

W En

St

nne

837

First United Methodist Church 5401 Centre Ave.

P*Town 4740 Baum Blvd.

30

2nd

19

Blvd

Blv d

nt S t

Gra

Cro ssto wn

all Av e

Fed

Wa Merri mac St ba sh Tu nn el

St

376

nA ve

Murray Ave

le R dwy E Ca rso n

51

376

22

22

Blvd of the Allies

Franks

Pe n

SHAD S ADYS YSIDE ID

r St Beele

be

380

Murray Ave

30

Forbes Ave—>

5th Ave

ve oln A Linc

ve dy A

Bluff

e rth Av Ellswo

OA AK A KLAND KL

r Fo

cle S nn Cir

Sha

s

lvd mB Bau

380

Ave ve bes h A For 5t <— S B oq —> ue tS ve t sA

Larimer

Bro ad S t

ve ey A

Ca rso nS t PJ M cAr d

Ave

le N

egl

<—5th Ave

idge S 10th St Br

Fo

Images 965 Liberty Ave.

Centre Ave

Birmingham Bridge

l

ne

n Tu itt rt P

HILL DISTR CT DISTRICT

Club Pittsburgh 1139 Penn Ave.

22

837

W

380

Cent re

Circ

Pe

380

ve tre A Cen

Animal Rescue League 6620 Hamilton Ave. Homew

SN

22

279

376

Ln

Cruze Bar 1600 Smallman

Robinson St

30

DOW D OW WN TO TOWN T N llie

of t he A

S

380 3 80

St ick patr Kirk

Blvd

TR

579

Ave

lv wB elo Big

d

Pen n

St ege Coll

lla

lv wB POLISH ISH elo Big HIdIIL ILL LL L

Element 5740 Ellsworth Ave.

ve en A S Aik

837

30

OV

Penn Ave y rt e Lib

OUNTW Carson St SHING TON Market Square

py

Stage AE 279

9H

Isabe

IP

ert yA ve Sci Bloomfield ota d St

St ville N Ne d n Blv Con Billy

Heinz Field

57

279

St 9th t 7th S l St

PNC Park

1-

Federa

Rivers Casino

EO

St E Ohio ley Press

IS D

Harris Grill 5747 Ellsworth Ave.

Lib

t aig S N Cr

R

65

28

St

ge rid tB hS 16t

ve idge A

C TR

Ave

EAST LIBERTY

5801 Video Lounge 5801 Ellsworth Ave. Penn Av e

ve on A Herr

hio

NO NOR N OR ORT RTH TH SIDE DE

g St. e an la lm Sm e Ave Av nn rty Pe Libe <—

T

h Ave

W Oh io St

Liberty n Ave Herro

E Nort

St B

Park Pa

EONS 5850 Ellsworth Ave.

e Penn Av

rid

Cedar

rn Ave Weste

31s t

Pittsburgh Public Theater 621 Penn Ave.

The hWarhol Ave W Nort 117 Sandusky St.

Manchest ster ter

Brewers Hotel 3315 Liberty Ave.

941 & Tilden 941 Liberty Ave.

44 th St

St th 40

279

Central Outreach Wellness Center 127 Anderson St.

LA

Ln

era l St

V HO

Donny’s Place Leather Central 1226 Herron Ave.

28

Shepherd Wellness Community 4800 Sciota St.

East Liberty Presbyterian Church H hland Hig a 116 S. Highland Ave.

Circ le W

All eg h

79

1-2

Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh 911 Galveston Ave.

40 th St Br idg e

28

Real Luck Cafe 1519 Penn Ave.

d 19

Blue Moon on Butler 5115 Butler St.

Big elo w

Ave

19

St Lamar Essen St

n Ave Stanto

e Stanton Av

le ysvil Perr

Millvale

Persad Center 5301 Butler St.

gley

Ave

S Ne

nt

19

279

Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force 5913 Penn Ave.

Pen n

Gra

Bigelow

St Howard

Ba tes St

Ave

Mornings gside Cattivo 146 44th St.

WR EN CE VI LL E

Av e

Sta nto n

But ler St

19

ER Room 5151 Butler St.

N Ave

n HO V L

Rd an ffm Ho

Maird

East St

en yV all ey Ex py

ale S t

e Evergre

Rd Seavey

22

By Brian Broome

THE HEAVY DOOR OF THE HOLIDAY BAR WOULD SLAM hard at an earsplitting level behind whoever has just passed through it. This racket would cause the patrons sitting at the bar to simultaneously look up from their drinks and turn their heads in unison to peer through the darkness to see who had just come in. You could gauge your attractiveness for the evening by quickly counting, without being obvious, the number of seconds their collective heads hung in the air after the door slammed announcing your arrival. Anything less than three seconds would probably have been enough reason for you to turn around and go back home.

But one always held out hope that, once that door slammed, your Lancelot would be standing on the right side of it. It would take his eyes a moment to adjust in the darkness, but once they did and locked on to yours, there would be nothing but adventure for the rest of the eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;sexual validation and pleasure.

Photo: John Colombo

The Holiday Bar was uncomplicated.

Wooden. An old fashioned pick-up joint.

No need to get dressed up because nobody could really see what you were wearing anyway.

The Holiday Bar sat dimly lit on the outskirts of Oakland. There were no windows. It had the rather astounding ability to appear desolate smack dab in the middle of the city and, walking past, you would have completely missed that telltale heavy door if you were not, in fact, looking for it. In short, it was a diveâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a one-room hole in the wall with a horseshoe bar at the center and all varieties of male homosexual scattered around, anchored fast to barstools or standing around in shadowy corners. The jukebox, one of the few continued >>

D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

35

>>

sources of light, always seemed to be churning out high-energy dance music fighting against the somber mood of the room. There were regulars. It was smoky. There was a highly graffitied men’s room (“Mark gives good head!!!”) in the basement pungent with acrid urine but, as far as I can recall, no ladies room. The Holiday Bar was uncomplicated. Wooden. An old fashioned pick-up joint.

No need to get dressed up because nobody could really see what you were wearing anyway. It was a place for man’s men and it was the first bar I went to when I came out to this city. It reeked of desperation and spilt beer and I loved it. I liked to go by myself late on off nights in the dead of winter when the freezing wind and snow that pushed me in would slam that telltale door behind me with all its might and the few heads at the bar would look up to assess me.

I would pretend with everything I had not to be drenched in selfconsciousness as I casually made my way to a barstool as if I could take it or leave it, knowing full well that there was no place in the world that I’d rather be. The Holiday Bar is gone now. It’s an empty patch of weeds, the bricks long since hauled off. But, when it was there, I was young and, good Lord, was I gorgeous.

The Holiday Bar is gone now. It’s an empty patch of weeds, the bricks long since hauled off. But, when it was there, I was young and, good Lord, was I gorgeous.

But that was a thousand years ago and I’m sitting here tonight three sheets to the wind in a different gay bar in the same city, remarkably different than the Holiday Bar. This bar is all glass and passerby can look directly inside as though we were all on display in some sort of poofter terrarium. It is charmingly and warmly lit, showing off the fact that all the boys are wearing beards this year.

They are smartly dressed and slim in dark clothes and a far cry from the flannel shirts with the sleeves cut off that were de rigueur in my day. A damn sight from the Doc Martin boots and the “Act Up/ Cry Out” pink triangle t-shirts that were the required uniform for the homo in the know back in days of yore. These boys are stylish and handsome in a wholly different way. But I am, as I say, three sheets to the wind, munted on Jack Daniels and other things so my judgment may be off. They are sipping cocktails served in svelte glassware, not guzzling beer, and they are talking about celebrities that I have never heard of. But it’s nice to sit here for a moment, to get out of the house and reminisce, allowing the evening to quietly

36 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

I’m going to go sit by the row of windows and watch the people go by on the sidewalk and look them right in the eye as they walk past all this transparency and challenge them to judge me. settle all around me amid the light tinkling of glassware and soft tasteful music. I’m going to go sit by the row of windows and watch the people go by on the sidewalk and look them right in the eye as they walk past all this transparency and challenge them to judge me. This is something that you could never do at the Holiday Bar. At the Holiday Bar, you were swaddled in an impenetrably dim neon coffin and protected from the world outside. Once that telltale door slammed, you entered into another world, a fortress. The banging of that door behind you signaled that all of your worldly problems, all of the straight people, all of the pretending could go away. A safe space in the world of men, and only men, for just a few hours. But I’m going to go sit by the window now in this different place and look passerby right in the eye and dare them to cast me a disapproving look because I can do that now. I am now the new normal.

A thousand years ago, at the Holiday Bar, the man across from me is staring at my 23-year-old self. I cannot quite make out whether or not he’s worthy of me as it is so dark, so I pretend not to notice.

But I can feel him looking. In the days before smartphones, it was difficult to find a place to train your eyes so that you didn’t look like you were out looking. It required skill. You could stare at an Out newspaper, train your gaze down at your drink or the floor, but that was about it. I can feel him staring, and when I look up, he averts his eyes, and when he looks up, I avert mine. The pre-coital waltz. So, I stand up in order to subtly give him a full look at what he might literally be about to get into. I yawn and stretch in a spectacularly obvious way to show him that I am fit, with a flat stomach and muscles, before I walk over to the jukebox that has the added benefit of casting a little light on my smooth, young face so that he can take a look at those goods as well. I pretend to flip through songs, none of which I’m remotely interested in. I flip and pose. Flip and pose. All the while conscious of his eyes on me. I go downstairs to the bathroom and come back up. I flip and pose and pose and flip until it is time to make my way back to my barstool where there is a free drink waiting for me. “It’s from that guy,” says the uninterested continued >>

>>

bartender through the cigarette still pinched between his lips. He has seen this dance millions of times. The pre-coital tango.

Tonight, in this glass tavern, I have been suddenly snatched out of my remembrances of the Holiday Bar by a drunk girl. Because the place is all glass and built like a sodomy aquarium, she has walked smack dab into a large floor-to-ceiling window with the full force of her body, thinking that it is a way out. Like a dumb goldfish. The window is so clean and clear I can actually see how she made the mistake. The whole force of her head and body made the window react with a loud THWAK and not one person has had the balls to even giggle, opting instead to run to her aid to see if she is okay, fussing over her. I had no such problem laughing at her loudly and pointing looking around to see who I can get to join in. But people are just looking at me strangely and my attempts to talk to them are falling on deaf and irritated ears. In addition, I cannot seem to catch the disapproving and contempt-filled eye of any passerby through this window. They appear not to care that I’m gay and that I’m sitting brazenly in a gay bar with a large picture window so that they can clearly see that I am out and proud. I think I may have had too much to drink tonight. Or I just don’t fit in here. One or the other or both.

A thousand years ago at the Holiday Bar, the man across from me and I are now two of only a few patrons left when he finally works up the courage to make his way over. We are both now fully drunk as he has been sending drink after drink my way, and I am either too proud or embarrassed to make my way over to him. He staggers a

They appear not to care that I’m gay and that I’m sitting brazenly in a gay bar with a large picture window so that they can clearly see that I am out and proud. little into the light of the jukebox and I can see almost immediately that he is not worth my time. He is old. Unprepossessing and plain.

He has tried his best to give it the old college try by looking youthful and employing an overdone leather coat under which he is wearing the standard plaid flannel shirt. But his attempts are futile. He is at least fifty if he’s a day. His body is nothing to write home about. He is short and squat which is a difficult thing to tell when someone is perched on a barstool across the room from you. These are the risks

T:7.75”

continued >>

T:3.625”

Let’s remember that being healthy isn’t a goal, it’s a lifestyle.

So let’s run a little faster, eat a little better, sleep a little longer, aim a little higher, love a little more, and day by day, get a little happier. And let’s take pride in our health. Highmark is proud to support the LGBTQ community. Let’s do it all for health.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

HMK6-596 PRIDE

PROUD TO SUPPORT PITTSBURGH PRIDE 2016

SLOTS | TABLE GAMES | DINING | NIGHTLIFE 777 CASINO DRIVE, PITTSBURGH PA 15212 RIVERSCASINO.COM DOWNLOAD OUR APP RIVERSCASINO.COM/PITTSBURGH/APP

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 years or older to be on Rivers Casino property.

>>

you take. I am not sure if my face made any attempt to disguise my disappointment or not. But I know that he’s not worthy of me; my youth and I begin to resent him slightly for attempting to lure me in.

I am not sure what his attraction to me says about me, but it can’t be anything good. I am wondering whether or not I’m ugly when he finally flops himself onto the stool next to me and tries to begin the pre-coital disco. I can see that he is chubby. He has let himself go.

This will not stand. I have no patience for this and am immediately annoyed. He begins the usual banter, buying me drink after drink, and I soak it all in knowing full well that I have no intention of delivering on the expectations that I can now see reflected in his

We, us homos from the ’90s, are the ones who put in all the real work so they can enjoy all this transparency. We are the ones who did all the heavy lifting. glassy eyes. With each drink he moves his barstool closer and closer, and I feel a sense of surprising anger rise up in my chest. I don’t know why he’s even out. I don’t know why men like this don’t just stay home. I’ve come all this way and spent all this time talking to him and now he expects me to put out just because he’s bought me a few drinks. His hand finally finds the courage to make its way all the way up my thigh, and I scoot away violently, causing my own barstool to scrape the floor like a needle snatched off a phonograph record. I have had enough. It is now that, in no uncertain terms, I need to tell him that he has no chance with me. He is in no way in my league and I’m, frankly, offended that he could even think such a thing. It’s time to tell him that, although I think he’s nice or whatever, this thing just isn’t going to happen.

This glass bar that I’m sitting in now in the middle of Shadyside used to be called something else. But I am far too drunk, unsteady and clumsy to remember what it used to be called. I do remember that, a thousand years ago, my friends and I used to call it the “Wrinkle Bar,” because the men who tended to frequent the place were old and past their prime; they shouldn’t have been out, really.

They made our fine young hides feel cheaply superior with their lascivious stares, and the way that they so nakedly sought after us was patently pathetic, singular in its desperation. We made a point of ignoring them so hard that it made their heads spin. We hit the front doors like a hurricane early on a Saturday night before we actually “went out,” trying hard to look casually masculine in outfits that we’d taken hours to put together and make our way to the

bar, and there they sat, sallow skinned, rooted to barstools all in a row like onions, heads hung low looking deep into their drinks as if they were crystal balls. We made sure they noticed us and then we made sure to shame them for doing so. They were jealous because they were past their prime and too late to take advantage of all this freedom. This bar now made of windows used to be made primarily of impenetrable opaque glass block and now is as highly visible as highly visible can be. A conservatory of unapologetic queerness.

The people here have changed, gotten snooty. Not one of them has accepted my offer of a drink. They have somehow all become younger and have managed to make me feel quite out of place, so I drink more and stare down at my smartphone and stumble to the bathroom occasionally. Nobody wants to dance with me to the music of “my day” that I keep playing on the jukebox. The bearded boys have no interest in me. They sip their expensive drinks and walk around like they are the cock of the walk, not able to remember Act Up/Cry Out or my pink triangle t-shirt that I wore to show that I was conscious. We, us homos from the ’90s, are the ones who put in all the real work so they can enjoy all this transparency. We are the ones who did all the heavy lifting.

(I am going to be asked to leave this bar soon. I am too drunk to be in public. I can see the last boy that I attempted to hit on making his way over to the manager.)

A thousand years ago at the Holiday Bar, the man who has bravely crossed the bar to see me is in a rage. He has spent a lot of money on me only to be insulted. The bartender tells him that if he doesn’t calm down, he will be asked to leave, and I take secret pride in the fact that I have brought all this fuss about. Over me. Because, when you’re young, everything is about “me.” He lowers his voice and apologizes to the bartender and sheepishly begins to put on that awful leather coat. When he does, he turns to me and does not meet my eyes. The full atrocity of his age is half-lit by the glow of the jukebox. He looks at the floor while he speaks in a very measured and calm way. He trembles a little with anger and embarrassment.

“Some day,” he says. “Some day you won’t look good. You’re not always going to be young. Some day everything you’re so proud of right now will be gone forever, and I wish that I could be there to see it.”

I am wholly amused by his ridiculousness and I talk shit on him to the bartender after he leaves humiliated. Sour grapes are never attractive. continued >> D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

39

>>

By far, the most horrible thing about this glass bar, this cellophane palace in which I currently sit, is the fact that everywhere you turn is a reflective surface. Looking drunkenly out the window, I can’t help but see my own face. Cracked and old. Crow’s feet. Worry lines and wrinkles, a face caving in on itself. I can’t help but notice the fact that my gut has overtaken my belt buckle bravely shielding it from the elements. The craggy outline of my sour jaw. Yellowed and

I can’t help but see what a bastard I was for such a long time so many years ago. It all comes around and around and around and absolutely no one is immune. tired eyes. I can’t help but see the thinning hair and what’s left of it graying rapidly, and I can’t help but see what a bastard I was for such a long time so many years ago. It all comes around and around and around and absolutely no one is immune. I have drunk too much tonight, and for too many other nights for that matter, and it is beyond time for me to make my way home as I can see that the manager has pretty much had it with my presence. Before he does

me the favor of physically removing me, I will sheepishly gather my coat and stumble to the door. This gay life. This gay life, it occurs to me far too late, should always be about recognizing the humanity in your brothers and sisters who have come through some of the same trials and tribulations that you have. It should be about caring about people beyond their ability to make you happy, to titillate you beyond their sexual viability. It should be about supporting the young and supporting the old and recognizing what they have to contribute and not just pedastalizing young, taut, white skin. But I don’t know that anything will ever really be able to penetrate the perpetual adolescence of gay men still living out repressed high school fantasies. Sour grapes are never attractive.

I open the door to stagger into the night, away from these spaces that don’t want me anymore and regretting how much time I’ve wasted in bars. And before I stumble down the sidewalk I cast one last look inside this highly spit-shined and shiny castle and at the sophisticates who dwell within. I catch myself thinking that maybe it might just be this lot. Maybe this will be the lot of young men in this gay life to finally get it right.

“You have made a big change and difference in my life.”

– CCN Specialty Care Patient

A Specialty Pharmacy Providing: • One-on-One Specialty Care Representative • Customized Mail Delivery Services – Free • Confidentiality • Monthly Refill Reminders • Access to HIV Specialty-Trained Pharmacists

We value your health and look forward to serving you.

CCN AMERICA, LP 300 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 505, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 1.877.301.2526 | coordinatedcarenetwork.com

Weekly Drink Specials S.I.N. Sunday Monday Karaoke Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday SHiFT Friday Saturday

10PM-12AM

$3 Fireball 1/2 Off Domestics & Wells until Midnight $8 Long Island Pitchers $2.75 Yuengling

Happy Hour

Monday-Friday 1/2 Off Domestics & Wells

$2 PBR Bar is $3.75

(Excludes: Long Island Pitchers, Craft & Imported Beers, Martinis and Buckets)

$3 Captain Morgan $3.75 Svedka

Hour Of Operation

Monday - Friday: 3:30PM - 2:00AM Saturay - Sunday: 7:30PM - 2:00AM

Like our page for upcoming event: www.facebook.com/THEREUltra

Green Means GO

By Chrissy Costa

THE WIPERS SCRAPED VIGOROUSLY AGAINST MY windshield, awakening me from a daydream as I sat idle at the intersection, missing my green light. The rain had stopped minutes prior and I was too preoccupied in the blissful silence inside of my car to even notice how many lights I sat through. It had been several days, perhaps weeks, since I had a good night’s sleep. I wish I had an exciting reason for my insomnia.

I’d love to say I was busy writing a screenplay, or that my ADD had taken me on a whimsical excursion across the country, collecting antiques, sea shells, and sports bras. I’d brag about the nights I stayed awake in bed feeding ice cream to a hot girl if it was true, but it isn’t. Not yet anyway. Simply put, my fatigue stemmed from three little words: RELATIONSHIPS. ARE. EXHAUSTING. And I was involved in several of them, though none were actually mine.

I had taken a year off from courting so that I could date myself.

It was amazing. I did so many wonderful things for myself. I took myself everywhere. I was so sure of who I was and what I wanted after spending all of that quality time alone that I thought I was ready to throw my hat back in the ring. That was until I found myself caught in the middle of a few of my friends’ relationships. You know how it goes; a friend calls you up to vent about something troubling them with their partner and at first you lend an open ear. Then they

Simply put, my fatigue stemmed from three little words: RELATIONSHIPS. ARE. EXHAUSTING.

proceed to send you screen shots of a text conversation they’ve had with said partner because they want you to know just how crazy their girlfriend is so you can hate her, too. That’s when you start analyzing, dissecting, and eventually handing out mental health diagnoses as if they were Snickers and it was Halloween, because you’re also now a therapist. And the worst part is that everything you say will be erased from their memory the moment they start talking to their partner again.

But fear not, as it all starts over again tomorrow or in 12 minutes, or at 3 AM right before you enter your REM cycle. This is when they need you again and also when you actually begin to believe that your advice and wisdom will sink in because nobody could possibly torture themselves enough to keep going back to an unhealthy situation, right? Wrong. I mean, have you ever met a lesbian? *Cue the sound of a mic drop* I’m pretty sure I know a gaggle of lesbians whose break-ups have lasted longer than the average relationship. We all have that one friend who’s been breaking up with her girlfriend for years but you tend to forget because they always attend social gatherings together and then leave early to feed their cats. And they always say the same thing when asked about it. “It’s complicated,” they’ll spout in unison, but it’s really not that complicated ladies and we all know it. Those aren’t the friends who make a girl want to reach for the emergency Xanax she keeps hidden in her Tic Tacs, however.

I’m not sure how it is that we become a relationship guru when it comes to others but then clueless when it comes to setting boundaries and tending to our own needs in our affairs. I can’t recall the last time anyone took the advice they asked for despite the time and energy put forth on my part to help them see their worth. That’s what friends are for, but add several friends going through similar situations and you’d probably fall asleep at the wheel too because that shit is exhausting. The thing is, until I had taken a love sabbatical, I was in the same boat. If I was seduced by a little sweet talk with a pretty smile from a charming girl who was chock full of BS, it was hook, line, and sinker for me. There wasn’t a word or a floatation device my friends could throw my way to save me from the inevitable capsize awaiting me. I had swum in a sea of red flags, too lost to see the shore, but damn was she cute.

Do you like metaphors…because you just got served? Anyway, my point is, not only do we have to learn to save ourselves, but we also can’t see these things as clearly when we are knee-deep in them as we can when we back up a little to view them from the other continued >>

4 2 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

I’m not sure how it is that we become a relationship guru when it comes to others but then clueless when it comes to setting boundaries and tending to our own needs in our affairs. >>

side. Sometimes we get stuck and, until we have the strength to take a leap and believe there’s something more out there for us, we end up saddled on that same merry-go-round convincing ourselves that’s all we deserve.

Time has become more precious to me as I age. I think back to a decade ago when I was turning 30; I not only thought the world was ending, but that I knew everything. In hindsight I realize my world was expanding and I knew very little about life, love, or myself back then. The lessons I’ve learned would be in vain if I continued living and loving the same way today. I finally understand that happiness is a choice, not just a feeling. I see that I am the captain of my own ship. I accept that I am responsible for my actions as well as my inactions.

I know that time is not guaranteed, henceforth it must be cherished.

If you’re reading this and you feel stuck, stagnant or unhappy, whether it’s in a job, a relationship, your geographic location, etc., remember that you have the power to change. This is your life after all. Each day serves as an intersection toward the direction of your choice. You can sit idle or you can get out of your way. Either way, you have the green light, and green means go.

D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

43

Going Way Beyond

the Binary

BISEXUALITY CAN BE A CONFUSING topic because people define it in many different ways.

What is bisexuality? The answer varies, depending upon who is asking the question.

Is bisexuality defined by identity, behavior, attractions—or some combination of these?

Where does bisexuality begin and end?

Human sexuality is sometimes seen as a continuum, with same-sex attractions on one end and other-sex attractions on the other. Bisexuality, then, must fall somewhere in the middle. But where? Does bisexuality refer only to the middle point, or 50/50

attraction? Or does bisexuality encompass all the space between the extremes? How much bisexual attraction and/or behavior does it take to make a person bisexual?

When talking about bisexuality, it is sometimes useful to distinguish between behavior and identity. Someone who has had sexual experience with or even just attractions to people of more than one sex can be described as bisexual, but may not identify that way. Likewise, one can identify as bisexual regardless of sexual experience.

Furthermore, identities can change over time. Definitions can change, too.

Since the word “bisexuality” has “bi” (literally: two) in it, some claim that using it as one’s label promotes a gender binary, i.e. exclusively male and female. According to this line of thinking, anyone who uses the label “bisexual” not only has no romantic interest in non-binary sexes and genders (including transgender, intersex, and genderqueer), but also is promoting their very erasure.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Sadly, this thinking propagates misunderstandings and even a divided community based on confusion and continued >>

4 4 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

>>

misinformation about the term “Bisexual.”

Here’s the lowdown:

The Golden Rule Above all else, a person who prefers to identify as “pansexual,” “flexisexual,” “fluid,” or any number of labels instead of “bisexual” has every right to do so. But, like all good things in life, it goes both ways. No one has the right to define our label, just as we do not have the right to define others’ labels either. To imply that, by definition, a person who labels zirself* “bisexual” does not respect and/or is not sexually/romantically interested in people outside the male/ female gender identity is not only untrue, it’s actually insulting to that person.

Again, one doesn’t have a right to define the label “bisexuality” for others regardless of your vast knowledge of Latin prefixes.

Four Simple Reasons Why the “Binary” Argument Holds No Water 1 Historical context is important,

so it’s critical to note that, similar to “homosexuality” and “lesbianism,” “bisexuality” is a word reclaimed by the bisexual movement from the medical institution (specifically the DSM III which pronounced it a mental disease). The bi community itself had little to no influence over the formation and structure of the word, and simply did what gays and lesbians did: empowered their communities by claiming the word for themselves. Of course, no one would say that miserable people can’t be “gay” because they’re not happy or upbeat all the time. Nor are lesbians restricted to women who hail from the Greek island of Lesbos.

2 For many bisexuals, the “bi” in “bisexual” refers not to male plus female, but to

SINCE THE WORD “BISEXUALITY” HAS “BI” (LITERALLY: TWO) IN IT, SOME CLAIM THAT USING IT AS ONE’S LABEL PROMOTES A GENDER BINARY, I.E. EXCLUSIVELY MALE AND FEMALE attraction to genders like our own, plus attraction to genders different from our own.

In other words, it’s the ability to move in two directions along a continuum of multiple genders.

3 The bisexual movement emerged around

the same time as the transgender movement.

Thus, in its early stages, no language was available for the description of attraction to non-binary sexes and genders.

4 Historically (and very much currently),

the bisexual community has been one of the most accepting places toward transgender and genderqueer people. Our communities have always shared a very strong alliance.

Pitting Minorities Against Each Other The sad fact is these allegations of binarism draw not from actual transphobia within bisexual communities or bi-identified people, but from a long history of biphobia within parts of the gay and lesbian movements.

Claims of bisexuality as an “oppressive identity” are not new. We used to (and

still) hear that bisexuals are a “privileged group” perpetuating heteronormativity and oppressing gay and lesbian people. Yet now we hear that bisexuals are a privileged group perpetuating cisgender normativity and oppressing transgender and genderqueer people. Both are demonstrably incorrect.

An oppressing class/system will often point to the groups it seeks to marginalize and demonize and claim that they are in fact the ones who are the force of oppression and evil. It’s a classic maneuver, and it couldn’t be more false.

The “Bisexual = Binary” argument pits these minorities-within-the-minority against the other, compelling us to compete for a place in the gay and lesbian movement. In this way, the movement can stop worrying about how to prevent bi and trans communities from threatening their positions of power. Setting us against one another makes sure that we’ll do that job for them.

Enough Is Enough The good news is that the tide is turning in some gay and lesbian groups, many of which are beginning to welcome both trans and bi people with open arms (not enough in our opinion, but still we want to give props to our allies). The bad news is that a number of folks who identify under names other than bisexual have bought into the absurd arguments outlined above and are playing right into the hands of those who seek their downfall.

Consider this an alert from the Bisexual Resource Center to the community-at-large that we are not falling for this tactic of divide and conquer. We will continue to work to raise awareness about the rich and diverse continuum of sexuality that goes far beyond the gay/straight binary—the real enemy.

Reprinted from www.biresource.net D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

45

PICNIC AT NORTH PA R K LODG E

HOT DOGS HAMBURGERS and all the

BEER DR I N K YOU CAN

Memorial Day Weekend

SUNDAY, MAY 29 NOON - 6:30PM

tickets

$27 IN ADVANCE $30 AT THE GATE 18+

For tickets visit pittsburghpride.org/tickets or call 412-322-2800 x2 North Park Lodge, Pearce Mill Road Allison Park, PA 15101

. SET. Y D A E R

Bring your rainbow flags and your dancing shoes to Ready. Set. Pride!

The free, official kick-off to Pittsburgh Pride 2016. We'll be outside in Shadyside in the 5800 block of Ellsworth Avenue.

D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

47

PI TT S B U R G H ' S N E W E S T G AY PO O L PAR T Y Thursday, June 9 7 PM to Midnight

TICK ETS

Tickets start at $20 and include complimentary first Jim Beam drink 18+ pittsburghpride.org/tickets

1605 East Carson Street, South Side Skybar and Jim Beam are pleased to host Pittsburgh's newest and most fabulous gay pool party called WET to support Pittsburgh Pride. With beautiful sweeping views of the downtown Pittsburgh skyline, WET will make all your pool party fantasies come true! Your ticket includes a complimentary first Jim Beam drink, dancing and swimming. Be on the lookout for some special surprise "guests" to spice up the night!

Stop by

and get a

5 OFF

$

coupon to WET with any swimsuit purchase.

Offer is limited

The Pub Crawl is a chauffeured tour of Pittsburgh’s coolest LGBT-friendly clubs, bars, and restaurants. Pick a starting location and you can hop on or off the bus at your leisure, which stops at every participating location approximately every 20 minutes. It’s completely up to you as to how many different places you’d like to visit!

TICKETS

Be sure to take advantage of the special offers in the coupon book that comes with your ticket purchase.

Tickets $20 in advance Must be 21 or over pittsburghpride.org/tickets

Parker St

St dale Mair

8

Va ll ny

Brid erty

Lib

NN egle e

Circ le W

y Av

SN

Pen n

egle

nS

t

ve sA alla SD

ge rid dB iel mf

Blo o w Blvd Bigelo

vd Bl ge low Bi

so

380

Ave

s Ave

Forbes Ave

St

ar

ve

e

lvd wn B ssto t

ge

ls nne y Tu

EC

e

nA

Wilkin

The e Monster idg WELL DRINK BrFREE 22

376

30

Beechw

Forw a

rd A

376

ood Bl

vd

ve

D elta Foundation of P it22t sb u rgh Beechwoo

ert

ve

St

ve

Lib

Cro

nt S Gra

ge

Brid ield Sm

ff

St

Wa Me ba rrimac St sh Tu nn el

ithf

e Brid g

dr u

sA

tes

rsh Ma

nd WE

Blv d

Rd Gre

ent

ree

Wabash St Saw Mil l Ru n

Wo o

Ho

837

n Av

Murray Ave

tal

stow

Pe n

ve dy A

kin

22

e tM

Linc

Fran k

Sha

Wil

30

St

t

Murray Ave

E Carson

ve

oln A

ad S

e y Av

t

ler S

Bee

Bro

egle

e

dA

e

5th Ave

Blvd

SN

Av

837

St

837

ege

ton

Blvd of the Allies

Coll

ng

376

5th

Ave

Arli

et

ve

orth A

Ellsw

Circ le N

le S Circ

iken SA

St

qu

erty

Pen n

Penn

Spin Free Miller Lite draft

Forbes Av

2n

19

22

ve

E Lib

380

St

E Rd Cars wy on

ville

dle

lvd nB

t Mc Ar

N Ne

51

nS

PJ

Con

n t Tu

Pit

ve

tre A

Cen

A th

<— S> — Bo

ve

sA

be

r Fo

380

Billy St

y

p Ex

rt Fo

376

30

Bridge

oln

inc

nL

n Pe

30

rso

raig

e

22

Ca

Harris Grill FREE appetizer

NC

Av

W

e

5

<—5th Ave Forbes Ave—>

ve

lvd

Real Luck Cafe Free draft + free gift Centr

Robinson St

ille

22

r

nt Ce

e

v eA

yA

B Baum

n Ave Herro

dv

279

s

lvd

ert

lvd

Images FREE Coors Light Draft or drink

S 10th St

Wo o

l ne

llie

wB

n Ave

19

eA

elo

B

Birmingham Bridge

51

f th

Big

380

Lib

5801 Video Lounge FREE Coors Light Draft or well drink

wB

lo ige

St

60

do

376

e

Av

n Pe

ick

Rd

Blv 30

id g ve e

e Av

Ln 579

y Ave Libert

ty

er

Lib

<—

.

St

Ave

Liberty Br

patr

wn

OV

lla

Isabe

St

Kirk

lesto

9H

e

St St ben Main Steu

Nob

57

idg

279

837

Br

19

St

There Ultra Lounge $2 off first drink

th

St

1-

an

lm

Sm

St 9th t 7th S t ral S

on

PNC Park

Heinz Field

st

nA

St

16

65

Ohio

al

St

y ressle

279

Fede

rs

E

P

m.

S Com

m.

Ca

W Com

t

W

Cedar m.

E Com

nS

so

r Ca 51

S

279

E Ohio

31

28

ve den A

S 18th St

all

Av

e

St

Rd

d er Blv

W 65

m.

Pe

Herro

ton igh

Br

iv Ohio R

EN N Com

Penn Ave

nn Ave

Gar pring

941 FREE shot

th Ave W Nor WO hio e Av St rn Weste Ave Ridge

St

th

l St Federa

Cruze Bar One FREE drink + cover

ve orth A

19

th

40

279 65

Cattivo Free shot

44

S Dallas Av

n VL

ve er A

HO

Ave

79

en

e

St

idg

ins

Br

28

Coll

ard

1-2

v Bea 19

St

y Av e

th

S Highland Ave

40

n Ave

Stanto

Blue Moon FREE Jello Shot

Ba

ds Wo o Av e re

am

illi

W

gG

Rd

ve

ton

Clu

ve

e

St

St

Essen

rin

lvd

Eckert St

Lamar

279

s

Sp

igh

Br

er B

19

le A ysvil Perr

Riv Mc

tA

Rd

rS t

Ru

an

19

Bu tle

Gr

he

d St

Howar

eg

nA

ve

Stanton Av

ve

nA

All

nto

ey

Ex

Rd

Sta

65

py

an

N Ave

ffm

e

Ho

HOV Ln

19

Ohio

ee McK

cks s Ro

e Bridg

(Butler, PA)

Participating locations and their coupon offers include:

n Av

Temo

1-279 een Rd

Evergr East St

Rd

ey Seav

49

Kesha’s big break came from an uncredited and unpaid cameo on rapper Flo Rida's 2009 No. 1 hit "Right Round." Soon after, she landed a record contract and released her first single "Tik Tok," which was certified 5X platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and has sold over six million copies in the US. The song was the best-selling single worldwide in 2010, selling 12.8 million copies in that year alone, and by 2012, 14 million copies were sold, making it the third best-selling single in digital history. The song was listed 56th on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of All-time.

In January 2010, she released her debut album Animal. In addition to "Tik Tok," Kesha scored two more Top 10 hits--"Blah Blah Blah" and "Your Love Is My Drug."

REET T S E H T E IN D I R P @

LIBERTY AVENUE SATURDAY, JUNE 11

TICKETS @ PITTSBURGHPRIDE.ORG/TICKETS OR 888-71-TICKETS 50 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

In November 2010, she released “Cannibal” which included such hits as “Blow,” “Sleazy” and “We R Who We R,” which was intended to inspire people to be themselves and as a celebration of anyone deemed quirky or eccentric. The song became Kesha's fifth consecutive solo top ten hit in the US, Canada, and Australia and as of March 2016, has sold over 4.1 million digital copies in the US. Warrior, released in 2012, featured the single “Die Young” which achieved commercial success, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charting in multiple countries worldwide. Debuting at 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Die Young" broke into the top-ten after three weeks making it Kesha's seventh top-ten hit. Eventually peaking at number two, the song has also reached the top ten in multiple countries worldwide and has received a platinum certification in five countries.

We are thrilled to welcome Kesha, her band, and dancers to Pride in the Street!

Angel Haze first broke onto the scene in 2012, with her excellent mixtape Classick, which included an unabashedly raw and honest cover of Eminem's "Cleanin' Out My Closet." Haze's version detailed the harrowing story of her repeated rape and abuse when she was a child and a few weeks later, she opened up further with a cover of Macklemore's "Same Love" where she laments about her struggles with family over her own sexuality. On December 31, 2013, Haze released the debut album Dirty Gold, which features the singles "Echelon (It's My Way)" and "Battle Cry".

Haze has released a number of mixtapes, including the most recent, Back to the Woods.

Co-founder of the House of La PiranHa, Mahogany La PiranHa is a thought provoking and mood evoking work of art. For over 20 years, Mahogany has been a thespian of drag in Pittsburgh with influences mainly from the 90s super models, house music, and fashion designers. She has appeared in W Magazine, been the muse for many artists, and her image has been in art galleries around the world. An advocate for trans rights, Mahogany pushes racial, gender and sexual boundaries through her form of entertainment.

With Mahogany, there's always something to see, and always something to remember!

Angel talks often about people who message her things like, "I really need you right now." She'll wake up in the middle of the night with a direct message notification from her Twitter and she'll be up all night talking to them and telling them, "It's alright. You're going to feel trapped and lost and all these things, but the most important thing to remember is that the only way out of the labyrinth is straight and fast. That is the way through. That's it."

D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

51

10,000 Caftans Alcoa Allegheny County Department of Human Services Alzheimer's Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter American Eagle Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center Burgh Bears Calvary Episcopal Church Capital Pride Band of Columbus Center For Inquiry - Pittsburgh Chevron Chipotle Comcast Community House Community LIFE Cruze Bar David Peter--Pittsburgh Pride Performer & Miss Link Amateur Deloitte East Liberty Presbyterian Church Episcopal Church of the Redeemer EQT Families Like Ours FedEx Ground Fight Back Pittsburgh 52 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

First Commonwealth Bank First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh Giant Eagle GLCC of Pittsburgh Google Greater Pittsburgh Pagan Pride Green Party of Allegheny County Hello Bully Highmark HIV Prevention Program/ Pittsburgh Treatment Evaluation Unit Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community Hot Metal Hardware JUDAH Fellowship Christian Church Metro PCS Metropolitan Community Church of Pittsburgh Mr. & Miss Laurel Highlands Mylan Party for Socialism and Liberation PFLAG Greensburg PFLAG Pittsburgh Philips Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team Pittsburgh Dykes on Bikes Pittsburgh Furry Group Pittsburgh Pride Colorguard

Pittsburgh Transgender Pittsburgh Transportation Group Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania Plow & Hearth PNC Proud Haven Renaissance City Choir ScareHouse Sierra Club Allegheny Group Sixth Presbyterian Church St. Andrew & St. Johns Lutheran Churches & ReconcilingWorks Steel City Roller Derby Steel City Softball League Steel City Stonewall Democrats Steelcity Bowling Stonewall Sports Pittsburgh The Monster The Proper Pit Bull Thea Trix--Miss LINK Drag or Dare There Video Lounge Thermo Fisher Scientific Three Rivers Leather Club/Pittsburgh Leather Pride UNITE HERE Local 57 UPMC Vegan Pittsburgh As of April 25, 2016

Welcome Mylan CEO Heather Bresch Our first-ever CEO to march!

The March begins at the corner of Grant Street & the Boulevard of the Allies, proceeds down Grant Street, turns left onto Fifth Avenue, and finally a left onto Liberty Avenue. th St 11

Oli

tB

Riv

lvd

1 st

All

Av e

ies

ge

lo

w

Bl vd

Pe nn Pl

Bi

t an Gr

ld fie

xt ssto wn Blv d

Ave E

Cro

6th

t

Av e

Av e

Gr an

the

3 rd

sA ve

nd

mo

Dia

Shingiss

ela

Pit

f

Av e

Ro ss

t rke

do

rA ve

ith

ix nw Sta

gah

Ft

rbe

4 th

Blv

Ma

non

Fo

l

5 th

Av e

Sm

Wo o

d

ve

Av e

Wi llia m

6 th

m tha

tP

7 th

Ave

Cha

Av e

St

3 rd

Pl

rty

rke

ison

Mo

th

10

Garr

e

Libe

ay e W

ang

h Exc

n Av

Pen

ve 5th A

Ma

t 9th S

ay il W

Cec

t 6th S

t 8th S

lvd

ne B

ues

uq Ft D

t 7th S

ver i R heny g e l l A

er D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

53

PrideFest is a day long, free event that offers a wide range of continuous entertainment on two stages, over 120 vendors, street performers, children's activity area.

Stop by the Mylan Wellness Village for a FREE wellness exam. Staffed by Central Outreach Wellness Center, a wellness exam includes STI and HIV testing, as well as counseling on Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medicine taken daily to help prevent HIV. Located between 9th & 10th Street

AARP Pennsylvania ACLU of PA adultmart AIDS Free Pittsburgh: An Allegheny County Initiative Alcoa Allegheny County Bar Association LGBT Rights Committee Allegheny County Department of Human Services Allegheny County District Attorney's Office Alzheimer's Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center Bear Hug Massage & Spa Bill for First Lady 2016 PAC Bridges Home Health and Hospice Burgh Bears Camp Bow Wow Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Center For Inquiry - Pittsburgh Center for Victims Central Outreach Wellness Center City of Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations Classic Travel And Tours Comcast Community LIFE Coordinated Care Network Cruze Bar CVS Health

Dress for Success Pittsburgh East End Food Co-op East Liberty Presbyterian Church Equality Pennsylvania Familylinks Inc. Financial Services First Commonwealth Bank First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh Giant Eagle GLCC of Pittsburgh Hello Bully Highmark HIV Prevention Program/ Pittsburgh Treatment Evaluation Unit Human Rights Campaign Janet Edwards--How Did the Church Hurt You? JUDAH Fellowship Christian Church Lange Financial Group Legacy Remodeling Marriott City Center Metro PCS Metropolitan Community Church of Pittsburgh New Horizons Peace Corps Persad Center PFLAG Pittsburgh Philips Pittsburgh Action Against Rape Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force Pittsburgh CLO & the CLO Cabaret Pittsburgh Public Theater

Pittsburgh Transportation Group Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania PNC Point Park University Port Authority of Allegheny County Positive Health Clinic, Allegheny Health Network Project Silk PromoWest North Shore - Stage AE Proud Haven ReelQ LGBT Film Festival Renaissance City Choir - Pittsburgh's LGBTQA Chorus Repair the World: Pittsburgh Shepherd Wellness Community Sixth Presbyterian Church St, Andrew & St. Johns Lutheran Churches & ReconcilingWorks Steel City Roller Derby Steel City Softball League Steel City Stonewall Democrats Stonewall Sports Pittsburgh Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue The Dog Stop The Monster The Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society The Proper Pit Bull Treehug Trading Co. TRIM Pittsburgh UPMC UPMC Shadyside Family Health Center As of April 27, 2016

Standard Broadcast

PITTSBURGH, PA Non-traditional indie rock band.

Alsace Carcione

Equally Opposites

standardbroadcastband.com

DALLAS, TX Female songwriter, performer, emcee and musician. alsacemusic.com

soundcloud.com/equallyopposite

Jean-Paul Weaver

slowdanger

Texture Contemporary Moriah Ella Mason Solo dance work embodying Ballet

Gri (the creole word for gray) examines the history and intersection of queerness & spirituality through the lens of voodoo culture and folklore.

This piece envisions a gender identity that isn't bound to a binary and has entered a quantum spectrum.

Performance artists who use their bodies to express themselves through movement and sound. slowdangerslowdanger.com

Performances from the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drag queen and king community including the winners of Miss Gay Pittsburgh Pride, Miss Gay Pittsburgh Teen Pride, Mr. Pittsburgh Pride Drag King and Miss Pride Femme Fatale.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA Alternative rap due with a creative and clever hip hop angle.

Check the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh Facebook page for more performers to be announced!

A combination of classical ballet technique and diverse contemporary style.

facebook.com/deltafoundation

the battle between learned self-hatred and radical self love. moriahellamason.com

textureballet.org

Bring your dancing shoes and show off your moves at the Cruze Dance area!

Enjoy a diverse mix of music from disco to Top 40 and everything in between!

VIP

Very Important Pet

AREA

Bringing your dog to PrideFest? Be sure to stop by the Animal Rescue League VIP (Very Important Pet) Area in the parking lot on Liberty Avenue!

D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

55

Why I Cannot Yet Sew a Panel for the AIDS Quilt

By Jamie Davis I CANNOT YET BEGIN TO SEW. This week, I commemorated the 17th year of the passing of my best friend ever in life, my partner in crime, my former lover, my beautiful companion, John Michael Wright. He died from AIDSrelated complications; Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy was the horrific illness that turned his brain to ash. His anguish was unbearable and he had very much needed the presence of his friends as he grew sicker and sicker in semi-rural South Carolina, but his strict Catholic mother tightly monitored the impending end of his life and did not allow him many of his â&#x20AC;&#x153;unsavoryâ&#x20AC;? gay visitors.

I was one of the few lucky ones who made it past her screenings and was allowed access to John near the time of his death.

Some local Atlantans will remember John for his early activism, for his work at Outwrite Bookstore in the nineties, for his design of the logo for one of the Atlanta Gay Pride festivals, for the way his leather clung to his handsome frame so tauntingly. Others will remember him because of his close association with his other best friend, Josh Kilmer-Purcell (renowned humorist, winner of The Amazing Race, one of the Fabulous Beekman Boys), and their early years together at the Portfolio Center of Atlanta. I remember his

absolute beauty, his marvelous intelligence, his cunning sense of humor, his enormous smile, his full and unwavering devotion to our amazing relationship.

The AIDS epidemic was changing for the better in the United States in 1999 with the advent of HAART, but John did not survive the cruel and wicked touch of the malady. He had initially kept his HIV status a secret from me for several years. I had, after all, recounted to him with great, fearful eloquence the experience of the moment I saw my very first individual living with AIDS. I had told John about how I watched that man walk into the student union at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1986 when I was a freshman; an older woman had her arms around him supporting him warmly and courageously, but people visibly oozed to the peripheries of the building to avoid his plague.

At the age of 18, I had joined them as they recoiled with full and ostensibly righteous homophobic aplomb. I rejected him and his disease and refused any possible metaphors or comparisons that would link my body and his. I never heard him speak, but I was soon to comprehend how his presence would boom within my personal history. When I later discovered that gracious, loving Princess Diana had begun to hold hands with patients suffering from AIDS, continued >>

I remember his absolute beauty, his marvelous intelligence, his cunning sense of humor, his enormous smile, his full and unwavering devotion to our amazing relationship.

D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

57

>>

I remember at some point wanting to throw myself back in time to help that man walk as that good older lady had done and to hug him closely. He is indubitably gone now, and I will always rue that day of my extreme prejudice and ignorance.

I mustered the courage to come fully out of the closet in 1990 and moved to Georgia from rural North Carolina. I joined the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus that year, but I only attended two rehearsals because my immature 22-year-old self was unprepared to deal with the spectacle of AIDS already beginning to chisel death into the faces of so many of the wonderful, kind men around me. One of the songs that I remember singing with the group was entitled “Light One Candle.” It was intended to be an anthem of faith and promise for the epidemic, but my throat closed and I could not sing because of the painful juxtaposition of those beautiful harmonies with what then was unfathomable hopelessness. I returned to my car after the second practice, put my head on the steering wheel and began to bawl away the remainder of my adolescent naiveté. I knew that I could eventually no longer exist in a land of folly in which I would pretend that HIV would not alter my life. In my very early twenties, I had come to terms with the notion that the world would be hostile,

the quilt only represented a fraction of the trauma that had hurtled through the entire world, but in particular in my community, among my brothers, among these bright and creative and courageous gay men who stood steadfastly against the apathy of the Reagan and Bush administrations, against the sick bloom of a homophobia magnified unprecedentedly and bolstered hatefully by individuals like the terrible Jesse Helms who spat out Biblical verses angrily about abominations and justified deaths because of holy wrath.

But then a guy I knew named Brent committed suicide because of his AIDS-related suffering. And then Robbie died. And then Kevin died. And then Michael died. And then the other Kevin died. And then David died. And then Randy the violist died. And then another two Michaels died. And at some point I lost count, but the obituaries became more frequent and the barrage of viatical settlement offers from corporations wishing to profit from the misfortune of our ailing community continued to pollute the gay publications.

In 1992, John disclosed to me that he had been infected for several years, and my prior HIV-phobic discourses crashed back into my consciousness with an ugly, well-deserved slap. My guilt

I had come to terms with the notion that the world would be hostile, but AIDS still remained something distant that only made stirs in my young, newly empathetic heart. Its evil had not really yet affected me personally, but I was terrified. but AIDS still remained something distant that only made stirs in my young, newly empathetic heart. Its evil had not really yet affected me personally, but I was terrified.

By 1990, the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt had already grown to the size of several football fields. After its inception in 1987, it quickly became a haunting giant tapestry that immediately called fury, fear, and unspeakable grief to mind. I visited the quilt on three separate occasions and found each trip completely overwhelming emotionally and physically. All panels were carefully wrought; I saw immeasurable desperation, loss, sadness, love woven strongly into these 3’ by 6’ rectangles. Each one unleashed a fresh torrent of mourning; I was stupefied anew at every piece of the quilt that I saw, and I cried every three feet. Boxes of tissues were everywhere but were often empty. The tragic fabric swallowed me with every step and every glance. I knew that even with its enormity,

transformed quickly into deep support as I reluctantly confronted the nastiness that had constituted the privilege that I had enjoyed at that time by dint of my virus-free blood. The mysteries of T-cell counts and viral loads became commonplace topics of conversations with him, and without effective antiretrovirals, I was constantly worried about what I would do and how I would behave when John began to succumb to his disease. My steady apprehension turned into denial as more pharmaceutical progress was made eventually; John would be made invincible, his blood cells would become impervious, he would be immortal. I would never see in him the heartbreaking transformation of beautiful bodies into husks that I had by then sadly witnessed in those other acquaintances and friends. I would not observe the infernal wasting nor know of the spread of pernicious histoplasmosis or pneumocystis pneumonia inside him. I would not hear him screaming in agony. I left Atlanta to begin my doctorate and John moved to take a job near Hilton Head. continued >>

5 8 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

And at some point I lost count, but the obituaries became more frequent and the barrage of viatical settlement offers from corporations wishing to profit from the misfortune of our ailing community continued to pollute the gay publications. >>

Predictably, we remained close. When I became ABD in 1997, I returned to the city. John stayed at his job at an advertising firm.

I had been teaching French and Spanish to the most wonderful young women imaginable at Spelman College in 1999. After spending one very fun day with them, I was grading tests in my office one afternoon when I received a phone call from John. His speech was shaky and he was mispronouncing things; I clearly heard the heartbreaking beginning of death in his soft words. He told me that he thought there was something wrong with his brain.

When I hung up the phone, I started sobbing uncontrollably. The auspicious and happy future that I had imagined for John crumbled into nothingness after I heard the first broken syllables in his sweet voice. I immediately made plans to go to see him, as did Josh, his former lover Kevin, and our mutual friend Sara. His mother was stern and controlling during our visits. That John was dying was a certainty, but I went anyway to a local outlet store and bought him hundreds of dollars worth of clothes, knowing full well that he would never be able to wear them. New garments always delighted him and he would’ve looked dashing in them even in spite of his advanced illness. His mother informed me that I had wasted my money, but I didn’t care. I held him and hugged him and told him how much I loved him. When I drove away in tears from his parents’ home, I knew that I would never see my beloved soulmate again. The picture of us here was taken just days before he died.

John Michael Wright died at approximately 6 a.m. on March 21, 1999. A mammoth chunk of my soul shattered on that day, but I know that his death was but one tragedy among countless others.

Approximately 23.8 million individuals have died of AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic. An average of 1.2 million persons still die every year due to AIDS-related illnesses. Pharmaceutical companies still reap enormous profits from grossly cost-prohibitive medicines and care more about money than about the welfare of humankind.

Heterosexism still forces us into an erasure of those two decades of

death and despair and impedes comprehension of our paranoia, our quirkiness, the PTSD and the mental illnesses that our individual coming to terms with that infernal virus still engenders.

The last time that I saw John, I made a silent promise on my broken heart that I would commemorate his death by making a panel for him for the quilt. I have not yet been able to do so. I cannot bring myself to learn to translate a proper memorial for the life of someone so perfectly loving and good and kind into stitches.

Moreover, and more significantly, the threads in that infinite blanket of sorrow have now become colossal ropes that regrettably require needles larger than moons and oceans of cloth from an eternally moving loom. Forgive me, my most treasured friend, but as long as injustice and avarice dominate the politics of HIV, I cannot yet begin to sew.

How your spell lingers, magic boy.

John Michael Wright May 12, 1967–March 21, 1999 Act up. Fight back. Fight AIDS.

This piece was originally published on HuffPost Queer Voices. Reprinted with permission.

D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

59

YOU can

help find new ways of preventing HIV infection!

BE A HERO A cure for HIV is only possible with research!

We need male, female, transgender, straight, gay, bisexual, HIV-negative, and HIV-positive heroes!

You can make a difference by joining our research www.HIVregis.pitt.edu registry at: Or by Calling 412-383-1313

University of Pittsburgh

Access to Better Health is a Right, Not a Privilege

– Heather Bresch, Mylan CEO

ABOUT MYLAN AT MYLAN, WE BELIEVE WE HAVE

35,000, about 800 of whom are based in

A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP

western Pennsylvania, is unconventional,

MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE

visionary and bold.

— FOR EVERYONE. So for more than 50 years, we have remained focused on meeting unmet needs by thinking big, challenging the status quo, rolling up our sleeves to find innovative solutions and doing what’s right, not what’s easy.

We’ve never been shy about standing up for what’s right and advocating for equality on many fronts. Throughout our 50-plus-year history we have been tireless advocates for expanding access to high quality, affordable medicine. This is especially true in the area

We put people and patients first. This

of HIV/AIDS. For more than a decade we

philosophy reflects our belief that Mylan is

have been working to stem the tide of this

not just a company, we’re a cause. Today we

devastating disease, which we know has had

embrace that cause by striving to deliver Better

a significant impact on the LGBT community.

health for a better world. Specifically, we aim to set new standards in healthcare and provide the world’s 7 billion people access to high quality medicine, one person at a time. It’s an important, worthwhile ambition because every person matters. And access to better health is a right, not a privilege. It’s about equality.

Although incidents of the disease have recently stabilized, one in eight people living with HIV in the U.S. are unaware of their infection and gay and bisexual men continue to be most affected, according to federal statistics. This is why we are pleased to debut the Mylan Wellness Village at this year’s Pittsburgh Pride

That’s why I’m honored and proud to be the

to support individuals in our own backyard

first CEO to ever participate in the Pittsburgh

who could be affected by this disease. The

Pride Equality March. Treating everyone with

exhibition offers free wellness exams and

dignity and respect is of utmost importance

testing for sexually transmitted infections and

to me and are values we instill and take very

HIV as well as information about pre-exposure

seriously at Mylan. We pride ourselves on

prophylaxis (PrEP), a medicine taken daily to

fostering a culture that is open-minded and

help prevent HIV.

diverse. Our global workforce of approximately

Global workforce: approximately 35,000 Products: a global market portfolio of more than 1,400 separate products Product submissions: more than 4,100 new product submissions pending regulatory approval around the world Global presence: sell products in approximately 165 countries and territories U.S. presence: one out of every 13 prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. – brand name or generic – is a Mylan product Manufacturing presence: operate more than 40 facilities around the globe R&D capabilities: include an extensive range of dosage forms and delivery systems, including oral solid doses, transdermal patches, injectables, respiratory inhalants, topicals, soft gel capsules, nasal sprays, solutions, suspensions, ophthalmics, ARVs and active pharmaceutical ingredients continued >>

D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

61

We’re committed to helping people live longer and fight this disease, which was once thought to be a death sentence.

In fact, we are the world’s largest producer of antiretrovirals (ARV) and approximately 50% of people receiving treatment today for HIV/AIDS in the developing world depend on a Mylan product. We currently supply affordable ARV medicines to an estimated 6.4 million men, women and children living with the disease in more than 100 countries.

Mylan’s progress in combating HIV/AIDS also is reflected in its powerful partnerships with a wide variety of organizations that share our humanitarian goals. We’ve worked with groups including the Clinton Health Access Initiative, UNICEF, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World health

(L-R) Mylan CEO Heather Bresch and Mylan Executive Chairman Robert J. Coury present a €500,000 check for EJAF to Mylan WTT Co-founder and former professional tennis player Billie Jean King, EJAF Chairman David Furnish and singer Sir Elton John at the Mylan WTT Smash Hits charity event held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Dec. 7, 2014.

Organization. We partnered with the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in 2013 to

Heather Bresch, then Mylan’s president, travels to Africa to see firsthand the challenges associated with treating HIV/AIDS

62 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

give a combined $1 million to the Business

We know that if we work together through

Leadership Council for a Generation

partnerships like these and by reaching out

Born HIV Free. And we’ve sponsored the

to diverse communities everywhere, we can

annual World TeamTennis smash Hits

achieve more than any one of us can alone.

competition since 2012. The charity tennis

Together, we can break down barriers to

event has raised nearly $3 million, benefiting

access. Together, we can promote equality.

EJAF and various local AIDS charities.

And together, we are stronger.

5 01

8

PRIDE WEEK AT

VIDEO LOUNGE AND CAFÉ

PRIDE WEEK ACTIVITIES SUNDAY, JUNE 5th

Ready. Set. Pride! Street Party on Ellsworth TUESDAY, JUNE 7th

5801 Pride Trivia WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8th

Absolut Pride Poker Tournament THURSDAY, JUNE 9th

Pride Weekend Patio Kick Off Party With VJ FRIDAY, JUNE 10 th

Pride Pub Crawl With VJ SATURDAY, JUNE 11th

Post Concert Party with VJ SUNDAY, JUNE 12th

Pride Sunday Funday After Party

YOU BET WE’RE

OPEN MON – FRI, 4:00 PM , SAT– SUN, 2:00 PM HAPPY HOUR FROM 6:00 – 8:00 PM

PHONE :

412.661.5600

WEB SITE :

WWW.5801.US 5801 ELLSWORTH AVENUE

Italy

A Seduction of the Senses

By Rick Sicilio

The love affair between the American traveler and Italy has long been one of the most satisfying relationships in history. Young or old, alone or in groups, budget-conscious or luxury-seeking, every traveler can stimulate their senses each time they visit.

Let Italy seduce you. Surrender to all that it has to offer and bask in the afterglow that you will feel each time you think of it.

Venice: Pittsburgh’s Sister City The temperature builds with Venice. Unlike any other city, Venice was built entirely on water by men who defied the strength of the sea to create a Renaissance masterpiece. To experience the Venetian way of life, you may travel on the vaporetti (water buses) or the traghetti (gondola ferries), through the campi (squares), along the calli (narrow streets) and, inevitably, over one of its more than 400 bridges. In fact, native Pittsburghers will feel right at home in Venice, since Pittsburgh is second only to Venice in the total number of bridges it contains.

Venice (or ‘Venezia’ in Italian) is built on 117 small islands connected by bridges, and a simple journey on the vaporetto provides a glance back into her grand history. The vaporetto is the best way to see Venice. On the 45-minute excursion from the Piazzale Roma (near Venice’s main train station, Santa Lucia) to San Marco, you will pass four bridges, six churches and over fifty palazzi. Every twist and turn of the Grand Canal presents a fresh view of this city that has for centuries attracted writers and artists.

The Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is the very heart of Venice. Sunlit angels announce your entrance into the square with their stone trumpets, alongside towering twin columns. One column holds a winged lion—an emblem of St. Mark—and the other St. Theodore (the city’s first patron) and his dragon. At the end

of the piazza, you will find the Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica—basilicasanmarco.it). This magnificent 11th century Byzantine church layered with fairytale cupolas and marble lacework houses the tomb of Saint Mark. Inside the Basilica, intricate mosaic tiles sparkle and tell the silent stories how of “East meets West.”

Next door to the Basilica, a visit inside the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace—museiciviciveneziani.it) is a must-see. During Medieval and Renaissance times Venice was a leading city through European commerce. The Doge (Duke) of Venice was an extremely powerful figure and was the main leader of the city; therefore it is no surprise that such a glorious palace housed the Doge. The intrigue of the Venetian Republic is captured in the museum and in the numerous rooms of this Palace. Arching high above the water is an enclosed marble Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) which was so named from the sighs of those being led from the palace to the dungeons as they beheld their last view of the outside world.

For the best view of Venice, visit the famous bell tower (Campanile di San Marco). At more than 325 feet high, the view from the top on a clear day includes parts of the mainland as far as the Alps, but oddly enough, none of the canals that wind throughout the city. continued >> D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

65

Now

for: g n i ook

Y L ITA

b

Classic Travel and Tours Rick Sicilio, Owner 795 Pine Valley Drive; Suite 16 Pittsburgh, PA 15239 info@TRIPSandCRUISES.com www.TRIPSandCRUISES.com

>>

Florence: A Renaissance City Florence continues the sensory stimulation.

World-famous mostly for its art and stunning architecture, Florence has been one of the most visited cities in Europe for centuries. Shop ‘til you drop for leather jackets and shoes in the many open-air markets. The jewelry found on and around the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) and in all the engaging shops is known around the world. The Ponte Vecchio is the only ancient Florentine bridge undamaged by the Nazis.

Italy’s art capital is also the birthplace of Dante, Machiavelli, Botticelli and Michelangelo, and Florence attracts millions of tourists each year. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1982, there is not a gay traveler in the world who isn’t seduced by this city.

Most sights are found on the north shore of the Arno River: GALLERIA DELL’ACCADEMIA firenzemusei.it/00_english/accademia Start early here and pre-purchase your ticket to skip the line to see the world’s favorite model of manhood: Michelangelo’s David.

GALLERIA DEGLI UFFIZI firenzemusei.it/00_english/uffizi The Uffizi Galleries house the world’s finest collection of Renaissance Art including Michelangelo’s only completed easel painting. See works by Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Goya. The Uffizi has more than 45 rooms so try to pick and choose…maybe a visit to Botticelli’s collection that includes the Birth of Venus.

DUOMO duomofirenze.it This architectural wonder by Brunelleschi is a highlight of Florence. Climb the steps to the top of this famous dome.

After the day crowds depart, the piazzas of Florence are much more pleasant. Visit the Piazza dell Signoria, found right in the center of the historic district which houses the Town Hall along with Piazza di Santa Croce. The Ponte Vecchio has more atmosphere at night without all the jewelry stores and may be the perfect end of a romantic walk along the river.

continued >>

Relax, take a breath, and bask in the afterglow of Italy while considering our suggestions for hotels, bars/clubs and restaurants in our choice cities of Venice, Florence, Rome and Amalfi.

HOTELS Venice: Hilton – Molino Stucky Guidecca, 819 30133 Venezia, Italy Ruzzini Palace Castello, 5866 30123 Venezia, Italy

Florence: Grand Hotel Piazza Ognissanti 1 50123 Firenze, Italy Hotel Degli Orafi Lungarno Archibusieri, 4 50121 Firenze, Italy

Rome: River Palace Via Flaminia, 33, 00196 Roma, Italy Artemide Hotel Via Nazionale, 22 00184 Roma, Italy

>> D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

67

Amalfi: Antique Mura Via Fuorimura, 7 80067 Sorrento, Italy Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria Piazza Tasso, 34 80067 Sorrento, Italy

BARS AND CLUBS Venice: LGBT folks tend to leave the island for gay nightlife, making overnights to Mestre, Venice’s mainland half, or nearby Padova to party.

I Due Girasoli Salizada San Stae 1908 (Santa Croce) Venezia, Italy Porto de Mar (Glitter Disco) Via delle Macchine (Marghera) Mestre, Venezia, Italy

Florence: Piccolo Cafe via Borgo Santa Croce 23/r 50122 Firenze, Italy Crisco Club Via Sant’ Egidio 43r 50121 Firenze, Italy

>> 68 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

>>

Rome: The Eternal City Talk about sexual tension…Rome is a controversial place for the LGBT community. Remember your gay fantasies when you watched those movies with Roman soldiers and gladiators? Rome does not have the colorful gay life as other capitals in Europe, but the Eternal City does offer an endless amount of enjoyment, in other ways.

Vatican City is not only the smallest country in the world, but also the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. St. Peter’s Basilica, which sits atop the tomb of its namesake and a maze of catacombs, houses some of the most famous artistic treasures such as Raphael’s Rooms and the Sistine Chapel.

Once a temple, now a church, the Pantheon’s 2000 year history began in 125 AD when Hadrian built and dedicated it to the classical gods (Pan—means all; Theos—means god). It is now officially known as the Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres and houses the tombs of Raphael, Vittorio Emmanuel and Umberto. Truly a marvel of architecture, the Pantheon was the inspiration for Brunelleschi’s cupola in Florence.

The world famous Trevi Fountain—or Fontana di Trevi—is the largest Baroque

fountain in Rome. Tradition and legend states that if you toss a coin into the fountain, you are ensured a repeat visit to Rome. Recently renovated, it now sparkles as bright as the water it holds.

As the saying goes, Rome was not built in a day, and it will take a few of those in order to see all of its treasures.

Amalfi: The Italian Riviera We’re close to the climax with the Amalfi Coast. This magical and spectacular coastline is one of the best in the world and is included in UNSECO’s World Heritage Sites list. Many Italians have known for years that Amalfi is “the place” to enjoy on their vacation and remains the ultimate romantic getaway.

Located south of Naples, Italy, Amalfi screams charm and glamour.

Quaint resorts are hidden away on the dazzling, jagged cliffs as the coastal road is famous for its hairpin turns, bending as it passes olive and lemon trees and tiny villages which give glorious glimpses of the blue sea.

Most towns are built at a very steep angle and are accessible by stairways and alleys.

The views are undeniably breathtaking, and away from the coastal road and the tourist continued >>

>>

spots, you can still discover the peace that charmed earlier visitors. My days shuffling around Sorrento, Pompeii, the Island of Capri and Postiano resurrected that feeling of pure relaxation and serenity.

Sorrento The main town gives its name to the Sorrento Peninsula. Sorrento’s charming cobblestone streets are alive with colorful flowers and a lively cultural scene. You will fall in love with this town! The seafront promenade to the action filled Piazza Tasso leads up to this coastline’s charm. One can enjoy a drink on many of its terraces or shop on the Corso Italia.

The view from Sorrento from the south to the north includes the city of Naples, the island of Ischia and Vesuvius. Sorrento’s harbor is used for ferry departures to Capri, Naples and Ischia. During the spring, summer and fall, the harbor is filled with boats and large cruise liners that tender guests onto the mainland for day trips.

Capri The most famous island off the coast of Sorrento is Capri. This island is wellaccustomed to catering and hosting many tourists. The complete island offers such a bountiful selection of boat trips, boutiques, bars and restaurants.

The two main boat rides will take you to the highlights of Capri. They are the boat rides to the Faraglioni, which is the famous three-rock formation sculpted by the wind and sea. Drive your boat right through the center rock. I could not believe the color of the dark rich blue sea. What a treat!

And of course Capri’s most famous attraction is The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra). Once entering this cave by boat, light enters and a beautiful dazzling effect is seen on the water and on the roof of the cave illuminating brilliant blue color.

After the boat rides, take a ride up from the Marine Grande on the funicular railway or take the Chairlift Monte Solaro (from Anicapri) to the highest part of the island for a marvelous view and vista of the complete island of Capri. You will not be disappointed!

Positano A trip to Amalfi must include this most famous hillside town! Positano is pure beauty and has such an exclusive atmosphere. Chic and trendy, stylish and modern, Positano has it all. This is an authentic Italian family resort with sunbathers eating gelato and pizza. As part of the coastline’s appeal, fashionable little boutiques and ceramic shops dot the mini alleyways from the coastal road down to the beach.

Rome: Coming Out & My Bar Via Di San Giovanni in Laterno 8, 12 00184 Roma, Italy Hangar Via in Selci 69 00184 Roma, Italy

RESTAURANTS Venice: Ai Rusteghi Corte del Tentor 5513 Venezia, Italy Osteria Antico Giardinetto Calle dei Morti 2253 (Santa Croce) 30135 Venezia, Italy

Florence: Enoteca Pinchiorri Via Ghibellina 87 50122 Firenze, Italy Taverna del Bronzino Via delle Ruote 25/r 50129 Firenze, Italy

>>

continued >> D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

69

>>

Pompeii pompeiisites.org About an hour’s drive from Sorrento sits Pompeii, Italy’s most famous ruins.

In 79AD, Mount Vesuvius blew its top, spewing tons of molten ash engulfing the surrounding area. It all lasted only 19 hours. However, most people were not killed by the ash but by the firestorm of poisonous vapors. They died instantly of thermal shock from the 900-degree cloud and not from slow suffocation as scientists long assumed.

Pompeii laid buried for almost 1700 years under 9 feet of volcanic ash. When excavated, scientists found Pompeii’s amphitheatre along with most of the roads and buildings. Built in 70BC, and thus surviving the eruption of Vesuvius, Pompeii’s amphitheatre is the oldest intact (and most complete) pre-Colosseum style amphitheatre in the Roman world.

The amphitheatre was central to life in Pompeii. In contrast to later amphitheatres, Pompeii’s was very simple. The Pompeii amphitheatre is still used today for modern music performances!

pumps for running water and home designs that included cavity walls with spaces so that hot air could heat the house.

Rome:

Italy truly makes your senses come alive! Sweep your gaze over the most recognizable landmarks in the world, listen to the thunderous silence of the Vatican, breathe in the mixture of sea air and history, caress your taste buds with flavors of vine-ripened grapes and lemons, and stroke the wares of local marketplace vendors.

Ai Tre Scalini - Bottiglieria dal 1895 Via Panisperna 251 00184 Roma, Italy

We hope it was good for you, too!

For travel recommendations, please contact Rick Sicilio, 800-441-8747, email at RScilio@TRIPSandCRUISES.com or visit TRIPSandCRUISES.com

Spirito Divino Via dei Genovesi 31 a/b 00153 Trastevere, Roma, Italy

Amalfi: CAPRI: La Pigna Restaurant Via Lo Palazzo, 30 80073 Island of Capri, Italy SORRENTO: Tavern Allegra via della Pietà, 30 80067 Sorrento, Italy

Walking around the preserved ruins, you can see how the “wealthy people” enriched their homes. Homes had courtyards and an abundance of modern conveniences like

D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

71

TRANS AIN’T TRENDY A Sermon for Pride | The Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh | Originally preached on June 14, 2015

ON THE JUNE 2015 TONY AWARDS BROADCAST, a remarkable 11-year-old actress named Sydney Lucas sang, “Ring of Keys,” one of the signature numbers from the awardwinning musical, Fun Home.

During the song, Lucas’ character, a young tomboy-ish girl named Alison, spots a transgender man entering the luncheonette where she is eating with her distracted father. She sings: “Someone just came through the door, like no one I ever saw before.

I feel. I feel. I don’t know where you came from. I wish I did, I feel so dumb. I want. I want. Your sweater and your bearing and the just right clothes you’re wearing. Your short hair and your dungarees and your lace-up boots, and your keys. Oh, oh, your ring of keys.”

Later in the song, she rhapsodizes about how this person seems to be okay with being strong and how she is the only one in the luncheonette who seems to see how “handsome” he is.

Alison is a transgender child; in this case, a “her” yearning to become himself, and for the first time, catching a glorious glimpse of a role model who looks unapologetically male and strong and amazing to her young eyes and heart. She sings: “Can you hear my heart say, ‘Hi’? I know you. I know you.”

Even if you missed this incredible performance, and unless you’ve been living under a rock or marooned on a desert island away from the world and social media, you have heard the term “transgender” or trans.

According to the Today Show, it’s what’s “trending” (in their parlance) and what has been increasingly “trending” in the mainstream for a couple of years now. Perhaps you caught the

moving and marvelously constructed TV series, Transparent, in which a retired L.A. father and psychologist named Mort finally musters the courage and will to become Maura, to her family and community, and the fallout that ensues.

…unless you’ve been living under a rock or marooned on a desert island away from the world and social media, you have heard the term “transgender” or trans Or you may be a fan of Orange Is The New Black (as I am) with a prominently featured storyline about a trans inmate played by the sultry Laverne Cox. Her character is in lockup because of theft to fund her transition procedures.

Perhaps you have tuned in to Becoming Us, a sitcom on Freeform following the life of a teen with a trans parent. The blurb about the show, a kind of retro “Make Room for Mommy,” reads: “The series focuses on the point of view of the family’s son, Ben, as he comes to terms with major life changes while his parent transitions to living as a trans woman.” Conveniently, his girlfriend, Danielle, also has a transgender parent. Boy, sounds simple enough…but we know it’s gonna take more than 13 zippy episodes to sort that out, hm? continued >>

D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

73

Attempting to change a person’s is no more successful than trying to change a person’s

gender identity sexual orientation >>

And as expected, stories about Bruce Jenner’s transition to her true self, Caitlyn Jenner, have been prominently featured everywhere from glossy magazine covers to hard news programs to editorial pages to an E! reality series (I Am Cait), and from Jon Stewart to Rush Limbaugh to every blogger between Manhattan and Malibu.

Her emergence has spearheaded a broader conversation that sprouted with Chaz Bono about what transgender actually means, and that’s good. In the process, it has also invited intense commentary, sometimes divisive, sometimes incisive, sometimes misogynist, about gender politics and the right we all have to

become ourselves on our own terms—to choose whatever gender identity and expression that fits us, whether it is cis gender butch lesbian or trans high femme.

A brief tutorial on terms may be helpful here as we move forward (and in-depth information can be found at the links listed below).

First, LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Ally. (No, there will not be a quiz, but this is worth learning). Next, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation are all different arenas.

Many of us are most familiar with sexual orientation terms— heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual. These terms refer to whom we find appealing sexually and are not necessarily tied to gender identity. To assume that Caitlyn Jenner will now automatically prefer male sexual partners is just that: an assumption.

Gender identity refers to the way you relate to your biological sex, and that relationship can be complex and vary widely. Here is a very basic overview of the most widely used terms from the GLAAD website (with a caveat that the variety of terms has grown as trans identities have evolved and been claimed by more and more courageous people). Moreover, a key aspect of affirming trans individuals is asking what gender pronouns they prefer (as these vary widely and should be respected, too…so please ask).

Cis (c-i-s) gender refers to one whose gender identity matches their biological sex. I am a cis gender straight woman who expresses her identity in a traditionally female manner (my pronouns are she/her/hers). But I could also be a cis gender lesbian with a more masculine expression.

Transgender (the term we are hearing more regularly these days) is the one used to describe people whose gender identity differs from the sex the doctor marked on their birth certificates. Transgender is not drag or cross-dressing. It’s a deep calling to self.

Gender queer, gender fluid, gender non-confirming and two-spirit are some of the many terms used by people who identify as nonbinary: being between and/or other than cis male or female. These individuals may prefer gender pronouns such as they/them/their or ze/hir.

Attempting to change a person’s gender identity is no more successful than trying to change a person’s sexual orientation— continued >>

74 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

>>

it doesn’t work and no one should try, or judge, or presume to know who a person should be (on religious or other terms), or what it’s like to live in that person’s skin. Some transgender folk (like Caitlyn Jenner) seek to bring their bodies more into alignment with their gender identity and others do not.

Transsexual is the term that has been historically used to refer to individuals who have medically and legally changed their sex, or wish to do so. Some view this term as dated and prefer others such as: trans man, trans woman, MtF and FtM. It’s essential to grasp and promote the idea that trans people are not “fooling” or “deceiving” themselves or anyone else about their identity by expressing themselves authentically as men or as women or as non-binary. In fact, when quizzed by a journalist about the high profile of transgender individuals these days and whether it’s all just “the latest thing,” a NY trans activist responded succinctly in an on-the-street interview, “Trans Ain’t Trendy.” I concur. And that quip about it being “the latest thing”? Would you jump on board a train as a lark or an experiment when that route includes notably high levels of hate violence, rape, murder, poor or non-existent health care, political marginalization, homelessness, or employment discrimination? Doubtful.

In a 2015 blog post entitled, “Caitlyn Jenner is high femme. Get over it,” a popular trans blogger notes that: “It’s happening already.

Just a day after Caitlyn Jenner has graced the cover of Vanity Fair, I’m seeing Facebook and Tumblr posts, comments and links to blogs from trans and queer folks attacking Jenner’s femininity. I’ve already heard her decried as nothing but a “feminine stereotype” wearing a “Marilyn Monroe-type bathing suit.” I’ve read that Jenner is embracing an “impossible beauty standard that is being shoved down our throat.”

One trans man wondered, “Does she have to look like a pin-up model?” Another trans person says that Jenner is merely fueling “the belief that being trans is only okay if you look socially acceptable.”

We are not trends, we are

vulnerable human beings, and we all deserve to be treated respectfully and kindly and to have our worth and dignity affirmed and upheld

I’ll say it again: Trans is not trendy. Sure, the buzz about transgender in the never-ending pop culture cycle of our binary, “either/ or” society may be trendy, but the identity is not. And neither is genderqueer or cis gender. We are not trends. Sexual orientations are not trendy. Being straight, or gay or a lesbian or bisexual is not a trend. It is who we are, or who we are becoming, on our own timetables. Who we find appealing sexually is not a trend. We are not trends, we are vulnerable human beings, and we all deserve to be treated respectfully and kindly and to have our worth and dignity affirmed and upheld—as our first Unitarian Universalist (UU) principle promotes.

Another blogger points out that “this is a form of femme-phobia and trans-misogyny and it needs to stop,” writing: “It’s time for the gender police to retire. Jenner is being herself and this binary expression is just as legitimate as any other non-binary gender presentation, and there is a glaring double standard here.”

It follows, then, that each of us also has the right to decide: what makes a woman or a man or a non-binary individual or some other definition? Caitlyn Jenner’s emergence has stirred up a hornet’s nest on this very point. (And I am going to offer a variety of perspectives, none more valid than the other.)

“You won’t hear a famous cis gender female movie actress accused of being too feminine or a stereotype for wearing a dress. You won’t hear folks attacking trans men like Chaz Bono for being too dapper or embracing some ‘masculine stereotype’ or setting ‘an impossible handsome standard.’”

As is my practice, I read reams of material for this sermon. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve been provoked and I’ve been heartened. In the end, I’ve wondered most about why we are assailing others for their gender identity and expression choices at all.

The blogger goes on to argue that “It’s widely believed both in queer and straight communities that masculinity is natural and acceptable while femininity is artificial, costume like, stereotypical and unnecessary. This is why transgender men can take on a binary, continued >> D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

75

Formerly SPIN Bartini/Ultra Lounge

Register to win a

for you and your friends!

Includes complimentary hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and drink specials.

All entrants will receive a $5.00 gift card for use toward your bar tab â&#x20AC;&#x201C; AND a birthday surprise each year!

www.elementpgh.com/pride 5744 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 | 412.362.7746

>>

conventionally masculine appearance and avoid the scorn of trans/ queer folks and others. You won’t hear queer/trans folks telling trans men to downplay their masculinity in order to preserve more femininity.” As I’ve said, this is thought-provoking stuff.

Many diverse voices have jumped into the fray. The edgy line between gender identity and feminism has also been sharpened since the Jenner reveal in a much-read and discussed op-ed piece from the New York Times called “What Makes a Woman?”

In it, the journalist and feminist professor Elinor Burkett (a cis gender straight woman) rails against the tidy boxes that have reduced women to stereotypes for millennia, including those being perpetrated, in her view, by some trans activists. She writes: “People who haven’t lived their whole lives as women, including Ms. Jenner, shouldn’t get to define us. That’s something men have been doing for much too long. And as much as I recognize and endorse the right of men to throw off the mantle of maleness, they cannot stake their claim to dignity as transgender people by trampling on mine as a woman. Their truth is not my truth. Their female identities are not my female identity.” Burkett also astutely chronicles the privilege that was conferred on a cis gender male Bruce Jenner, enabling him to train for and win an Olympic medal (a scenario out of reach for most female athletes of the time).

Gender politics is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach.

Ask any gay man or lesbian who has fought on the front lines of marriage equality. Or any straight woman who has decried the lack of adequate access to birth control or entry to the voting booth or, in 2016, for Pete’s sake, 25% less earnings than a male colleague!

And I can attest personally to the fact that being straight and in a woman’s body in this society is no picnic, either. 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. 17 million women have been raped. That’s a big number. I don’t feel especially privileged in my straight female body when I am walking to my car in a dark garage with my thumb hovering over the panic button on my car door opener because my body makes me a rape target.

Expressing some of my personal views and preaching on this subject at all is uber-risky, and the odds are stupendously high that I have already offended any number of you. Or at least created some ideological friction. I can live with that, and I mean no harm. In fact, I think I should invite that friction as a religious leader who is charged

to further the conversation, not just endorse a particular perspective with a big one-size-fits-all Unitarian Universalist rubber stamp.

The thing is that the only safe sermon on this red-hot “trending” topic is one that buries any point of view or food for thought in a dry laundry list of terms and statistics. And I believe your brains (male, female, non-binary or otherwise) deserve more than that, crave more than that, and can handle more than that. “How to

…taking the safe route does not really create strong or reliable allies in this or any other cause worth undertaking discuss the truth,” asks my colleague, the Rev. Mark Belletini.

“With real hope in our purpose. With candor and open ears, without tip-toe preparations or embarrassment.”

I’d add that taking the safe route does not really create strong or reliable allies in this or any other cause worth undertaking. True solidarity in gender justice transcends a perpetual head nod in the direction of political correctness and offers more—education, selfawareness, systemic evaluation, empathy and steadfastness, with room for diverse voices stating their truths about themselves and their own process of becoming, even if it challenges the loudest, most bullying or most radical crusader.

Caitlyn Jenner’s public transition is a useful vehicle for trans awareness, and I fully support using this opportunity for all of us to draw attention to the barriers to equality in the LGBTQIA+ community. Let’s keep in mind that we have worked together— gay and straight—for marriage equality, black and white for racial justice, and we can work together across identities and expressions for gender justice. And let’s also remember that in 1969, transgender and gender non-conforming people were among those who resisted arrest (and got their heads bashed) in a routine bar raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village, helping to spark the LGBT rights movement.

We are all human, and we are all fighting our own private battles, and we all deserve a place at the welcome table. Not one gender continued >> D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

77

HERE FOR YOU! •

FO

•

ST

ER

CO

CA

U

E NS

IV • H

•

RE

LI

NG

PRE

&

SU

TI VEN

O PP

ON

RT

&

O GR

LL WE

UP

S

NES

REAT BUSE T A E C AN SUBST

S

MENT

• YOUTH & FAMILY PROGRAMS • SEN IOR

PERSAD CENTER 5301 BUTLER STREET PITTSBURGH, PA 15201 1-888-873-7723

persadcenter.org

PROGR

AMS • S UIC IDE &B • ULL TR YIN AI GP NI • REV N CO G ENT & ION M A D M VO UN CA IT CY Y M EE TI NG SP AC E

>>

identity or expression is trendy, right, wrong, better or worse. It is who we are—cis gender, transgender, genderqueer, high femme, butch, suburban mom or urban hipster. We are not trends.

And, if we march in Pittsburgh Pride or at any other demonstration with our own truths or questions fearfully buried in someone else’s rhetoric, we become what Frank Bidart warns us about in his poem, “Queer”:

“Lie to yourself about this and you will forever lie about everything,” he writes. “Everybody already knows everything so you can lie to them. That’s what they want. But lie to yourself, what you will lose is yourself. Then you turn into them.”

We are not, nor will we ever be, “trends.” May we continue to come through the door to emerge authentically, to support the most vulnerable in that journey, and in the process, may we turn toward one another as we turn into ourselves. Blessed be. © 2016 Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker. May be quoted with proper attribution to author and sources.

Are Gay Spaces

Necessary?

By Kelly Kinsey

PICTURE IT, PITTSBURGH. The year was 2005 and I was bartending at RK’s Lounge, shopping at a Pleasant Present, having dinner at Sidekicks, and dancing for hours at Pegasus. I have tons of fond memories of this time as I was deeply involved with our local gay culture and fostering meaningful relationships with the people that I interacted with. These people were my “bar family.” They taught me about gay history, sex, politics, religion, how to act, how not to act and provided me with an outlet to escape conventional life and be myself.

Over the years the typical obligations of having a career, settling down, homeownership and motherhood have largely kept me out of the gay scene (mainly due to lack of free time and the inability to stay up past 8 PM), but when I look back at that “coming out” time period of my life I find myself melancholy, and starved to tap into some similar sources of gay socialization, only to find that they no longer exist in the same way.

In the last 5–10 years there has been a change in the gay social scene. Why? We can point to the mainstream acceptance of homosexuality, social media providing a virtual outlet for conversational exchange, dating up apps, urban gentrification and the seemingly entitled millennials who have no interest in paying for booze, when they can drink at home.

While the majority of these advancements are positive and long overdue, it leaves me wondering…are gay spaces necessary?

Is it an outdated concept to want to be in a place among my people who have beliefs similar to mine? Is it a step in the wrong direction to want to eat and drink in an environment that lets you be who you are and not be judged (well kinda) for those expressions? Is there still a fundamental need for people to have a place where they can celebrate all the things that make them different and unpack who they are, among those who are like-minded?

LET ME HEAR YOUR VOICE! Please join the conversation @housecafepgh.com

D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

79

M I G H T Y. beautiful.

welcoming. ge

rt

ru

d

es

te

in .

200 Years

& STILL MAKING HISTORY GERTRUDE STEIN. BORN IN PITTSBURGH. N O V E L I S T. P L AY W R I G H T. W R I T E R .

&

L I F E PA R T N E R O F

ALICE B. TOKLAS.

What is this

By Stephan Ferris TODAY, IT IS NO LONGER A QUESTION of whether one is simply HIV-positive or HIVnegative. Now there are additional statuses like Poz Undetectable and Neg on PrEP. The need to discriminate based solely on status is becoming more and more irrelevant.

Sure, serosorting, the sexual pairing of like statuses (positive/positive, negative/ negative) worked in the 2000s, but medical technology has advanced. While a cure is edging ever closer, our current most effective tools against HIV are the condom and its younger brother PrEP. Let’s not forget that abstinence is still the most effective way to eliminate HIV transmission; however that’s neither fun nor realistic for many of us.

PrEP

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylactic Treatment and currently comes in the form of a pill called Truvada. It works like birth control in the sense that it’s taken daily to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Also like birth control, the pill does not protect against transmission of other STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

How effective is it?

Various studies report different statistics, but the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reports an efficacy rate of 92% while other analyses indicate that drug levels corresponding to daily use are associated with a 99% protection rate against HIV (PrepFacts.org).

If your plan is to use PrEP around the times you have sex, you’ll have to know when that will be. A recent study showed that PrEP is still reasonably effective only taken on days

and the self-proclaimed #TruvadaWhore? before and after sex. However, since the people in the study had sex as frequently as once a week, dosing only when one foresees sex clearly has potential problematic concerns. For maximum protection, PrEP should be taken at least 7 days before anal sex and at least 21 days before vaginal sex.

The protection rate is still high when taken at least four days per week, and taking PrEP every day allows for more elasticity if doses are missed.

TASP

TasP stands for Treatment as Prevention and refers to HIV prevention methods that use antiretroviral treatment (ART) to reduce the viral load in the blood and semen of persons living with HIV to undetectable levels. Stated simply, one who tests positive for HIV can take medication to suppress the amount of virus in the body. This suppression of the virus makes the likelihood of transmission almost nonexistent. This is more commonly referred to as the “test and treat strategy,” and is a fairly new concept. When I tested positive in 2007, my doctor didn’t recommend taking meds until absolutely necessary. Because of this, my body contained a high amount of HIV and the virus could still be transmitted to others. Treating the virus immediately suppresses the virus to a point where it is no longer transmittable.

A recent study has confirmed this theory, stating, “No one with an undetectable viral load, gay or heterosexual, transmits HIV” (AIDSmap.com). In fact, it is statistically safer to have condomless sex with an undetectable HIV-positive partner than it is with someone alleging a negative status. This is due to the incubation period of the virus varying from

three to six months, which may cause an HIV test to be inaccurate. Minor daily flux in viral load has not been shown to significantly increase risk of transmission. Overall, TasP reduces the viral load in the community at large, and PrEP reduces transmission as an additional or alternative form of safer sex practice.

So does this mean throw away the rubbers and get on the pill?

Not necessarily. The politically correct response is that PrEP is most effective when used in addition to condoms. While a missed dose is not going to significantly reduce your prevention, PrEP should be taken consistently every day. A missed dose can be taken later in the day and alternatively, Truvada is also used as post exposure prophylactic treatment. Contrast the dangers of missing a dose of PrEP to forgetting to wear a condom in the heat of passion. It happens, but this is where PrEP adds an additional layer of protection that a condomonly approach simply cannot provide.

Can you use PrEP without condoms?

Let’s cut through the politically correct BS and give you a real answer: YES you can use PrEP without condoms, although I (and every healthcare professional) will tell you that PrEP provides the highest amount of protection when used in unison with condoms.

Research has shown that the pill is just as effective, if not more effective, in preventing the transmission of HIV. Remember it does not prevent other types of STIs. continued >> D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

81

>>

Facing Facts

The reality of the situation is that there have always been people who are resistant to condom usage, whatever the reason (serodiscordant relationships, monogamous relationships, etc). A condom-only methodology still fails certain at-risk groups, but PrEP can help fill the transmission gap by offering an alternative method of prevention. PrEP represents an opportunity to modernize and redefine what safer sex means in modern day context.

“If you bareback, you’re going to die!”

This is a hard concept for many of my generation to grasp, and unfortunately the symptoms and fears of the trauma of the ’80s are often projected onto today’s generation without room for informed and meaningful choice. Barebacking is a natural expression of sexuality, yet it still carries with it a stigma since the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.

People fear what they don’t understand, and unfortunately, some members of the existing generation and survivors of the AIDS epidemic carry a fear born of quite a different experience of HIV than my generation.

The cost argument

While PrEP is expensive today, that’s how medications work at first. A patent allows a company to make a profit from its research, but eventually the formula falls into the public domain and cheaper generics become available. Arguing against PrEP due to cost is a legitimate concern, but one that will eventually subside. Furthermore, many social programs are recognizing the importance of PrEP in reducing HIV transmission and have started efforts to assist with the cost. For example, most students fall within the low-income requirements to qualify for Affordable Care Act that can provide PrEP at little cost or even for free. As more and more research supports PrEP’s effectiveness, I would anticipate more 82 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

social funding to make it affordable and available to a larger number of people.

In addition, research has shown that “taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis does not lead to increased levels of sexual risk behavior among gay men...[and that] numbers of sexual partners fell, as did the proportion of men reporting unprotected anal sex” (Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

The CDC endorses PrEP as an effective way to reduce national HIV transmission rates and a monthly injectable version of the drug is making its way through research and development.

A different sort of stigma

HIV in 2016 can live a long and healthy life without imminent death and destruction hanging over their head.

While I respect the experience of those that have gone before, clinical evidence is telling us that there are other ways to prevent transmission. In this new era we all have a tremendous opportunity to enjoy sex again without shame and stigma.

Is PrEP right for you?

For more information visit PrEPfacts.org and talk to your medical provider. If you want it and your provider won’t give it to you, find someone who will.

Openly gay actor Zachary Quinto recently said, “Today’s generation sees [HIV] more as something to live with and something to be much less fearful of. And that comes with a sense of, dare I say, laziness” (OUT Magazine). While I agree with his first premise, I beg to differ on the second. PrEP mobilizes gay men to be proactive about their sexual health, and that is the antithesis of sitting back in the passenger seat. At the very least, PrEP encourages a discussion with your medical provider about safer sex practices, and once on PrEP, ongoing assessment and STI testing is recommended in three-month intervals. Because PrEP only protects against HIV, the regular testing helps to combat and bring awareness concerning other STIs. Social campaigns such as #TruvadaWhore open a dialogue about safer sex practices with individuals and helps to reduce stigma surrounding choice.

After all, PrEP may not be right for everyone, but it should be everyone’s right to access PrEP if so desired.

For more information about PrEP, contact:

The reality of the situation is that HIV is no longer the life-threatening experience it once was—so long as we do not let fear and judgment get in the way of prevention, testing, and treatment. A person living with

Positive Health Clinic Federal North Medical Building 1307 Federal Street Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-359-3360 or 866-433-0348

Central Outreach Wellness Center Timber Court Building 127 Anderson St. #101 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-322-4151 HIV Prevention Program University of Pittsburgh 510 Keystone Building 5320 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-383-1313 Metro Community Health Center 1789 S. Braddock Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15218 412-247-2310 Pittsburgh AIDS Center for Treatment Clinic (PACT) Falk Medical Clinic 3601 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-647-7228 or 1-877-788-7228

DELTA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES

LGBT-Friendly Senior Housing

By Christine Bryan

THE NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE ESTIMATES 3 million LGBT elders live in the United States. Around the country, LGBT older people face profound challenges in obtaining LGBTwelcoming housing—a problem that will increase significantly as the elder population doubles in the next few decades and more “out” and empowered LGBT people age into their retirement.

In a recent national survey, 48% of older same-sex couples experienced at least one form of adverse differential treatment (as compared to heterosexual couples) when inquiring about housing in a senior living facility, including receiving inadequate information about available units, being quoted additional fees, and having a more extensive application process.

And in standard retirement communities, LGBT couples may not be allowed to room together; staff may treat LGBT elders insensitively; recreational interests may be ignored or denied; finances and benefits normally given to heterosexual couples may be withheld from surviving LGBT couples; and the loneliness and isolation that accompany aging may be compounded by discrimination.

“We still have a tremendous amount of prejudice in this country,” says Mary Thorndal, co-founder and executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Association for Retiring Persons, Inc. (GLARP) in Los Angeles. “Part of the reason that GLARP was formed was to help provide a safe and secure environment for older gays and lesbians that are vulnerable.”

According to the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network (LGAIN), a subsidiary of the American Society on Aging, no less than 28 LGBT retirement communities are in various stages of planning and

8 4 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

TO BE BUILT IN PITTSBURGH development. Of those, 18 projects are only in the predevelopment stage, according to LGAIN’s Gerard Koskovich, but 10 others are well on the way to reality.

In Pittsburgh, the Delta Foundation has been working with City Councilman Corey O’Connor to identify property for LGBTwelcoming housing and has been in talks with a private developer.

According to President Gary Van Horn, “Pittsburgh needs to be America’s Most Livable City for everyone, including the LGBT community. The idea that our LGBT elders would feel forced back into the closet in order to receive the quality care and housing they need, is sad. We are looking forward to providing a critical community resource to help LGBT seniors age with dignity and grace in the city they love and call home.”

In the meantime, standard retirement communities could stand to make sure they are welcoming to everyone. “Any retirement community can be LGBT-friendly,” says Kimberly Acquaviva, an LGAIN co-chair and nursing educator at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “Look for visual, verbal and physical cues that openness is valued and promoted.”

Adds Buzz Pusateri, 77, “once you reach a certain age, life can be isolating for some. Really we just want to live our lives as we wish and as we’ve earned.”

For more information about Pittsburgh’s new LGBT-friendly housing project, contact pittsburghpride.org/senior.

Many LGBT older adults struggle to find secure and affordable housing—a reality that places them at a significant disadvantage at a vulnerable point in their lives. They are also often turned away from housing for which they are qualified— simply for being LGBT. It’s only natural that most people want to live and age in places where they feel welcome and respected. Here’s a list of nine LGBT-friendly senior retirement communities.

FOUNTAINGROVE LODGE, Santa Rosa, CA fountaingrovelodge.com

Improving the financial lives of our and their

STONEWALL GARDENS, Palm Springs, CA stonewallgardens.com TRIANGLE SQUARE HOLLYWOOD, Los Angeles, CA trianglesquareapts.com ARGYLE APARTMENTS, Los Angeles, CA amcalargyle.com 55 LAGUNA, San Francisco, CA openhouse-sf.org/55-laguna-information/ SPIRIT ON THE LAKE HOUSING CO-OP, Minneapolis, MN spiritonlake.org TOWN HALL APARTMENTS, Chicago, IL heartlandhousing.org/property/town-hall-apartments

fcbanking.com 800.711.2265

MARY’S HOUSE, Washington, DC maryshousedc.org JOHN C. ANDERSON APARTMENTS, Philadelphia, PA pennrose.com/apartments/pennsylvania/john-c-andersonapartments

MEMBER FDIC

D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

85

PLANNING A VACATION?

If so, you may be a candidate for our vacation PrEP research study.

Many gay/bi men have periods of HIV risk that often coincide with times away from home or vacations. By joining The Vacation Study, you may receive PrEP for the duration of your upcoming vacation plus an additional two weeks.

By participating, you will help us test the feasibility and acceptability of short-term PrEP. Participants are compensated up to $100 over the course of the study.

What is PrEP?

Who may be eligible:

Does it work?

INTERESTED?

Medications typically used to treat HIV being used to help prevent HIV.

Yes: When taken daily, PrEP can reduce the risk of HIVinfection in HIV-uninfected gay/bi men.

HIV-uninfected, gay/bi male, born male, 18+, planning to take a vacation in the next few months, and have had unprotected anal sex in the last year.

Call 412.383.1313 or email sjk91@pitt.edu or sign up for our research registry at www.HIVregis.pitt.edu

Pennsylvania’s

History

By Mark Segal RECENTLY I’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY to go through my boxes of memorabilia that I’ve collected over the years. Since I’ve been an activist on LGBT issues since 1969, and here in PA since 1971, it makes me one of the longest serving members of Pennsylvania’s struggle for equality. And that means that there are a lot of souvenirs from over the years.

Pennsylvania has an incredible history and was a leader in LGBT rights nationally in the ’70s making our Commonwealth one of the most historic stops on the LGBT history tour.

Let’s take a look at the highlights: In 1955, the City of Pittsburgh enacted an ordinance establishing one of the very first Commission on Human Relations in the United States. The ordinance merged the

city’s two agencies administering the laws prohibiting discrimination in employment.

The first LGBT sit-in, or demonstration, took place in April 1965 at Dewy’s restaurant in Philadelphia. Located at 219 S. 17th Street near Rittenhouse Square (now Little Pete’s), management made it clear that they would refuse service “to a large number of homosexuals and persons wearing non-conformist clothing.” Modeled on current African-American civil rights protests, on Sunday, April 25, more than 150 protestors—black, white, trans, lesbians and gays—staged a sit-in, an amazing thing to do in Philadelphia in 1965. Police arrived and three of the protestors who refused to leave were arrested. They were young—two males and a female.

The Janus Society, a local gay rights group, was notified and over the next week, in support of the protestors, they distributed some 1,500 leaflets outside the restaurant.

On Sunday, May 2, they staged a second sit-in. This time, when the police were called, they spoke with the protestors and simply left, declining to take any action at all.

The management finally agreed to end the discrimination and the protestors left, having staged the first successful gay rights sit-in in the country. This marked an important step in the struggle for LGBT people to lay claim to the right to public space in 1960s Pennsylvania.

In 1965, the Annual Reminders were the first pickets organized by homosexual continued >> D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

87

>>

organizations specifically to demand equality for gays and lesbians. They were among the earliest LGBT demonstrations in the United States. Led by Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, the Annual Reminders included activists from New York, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. The protests took place each Fourth of July from 1965 to 1969 in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Referencing the self-evident truth mentioned in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal,” the activists called for legislative changes that would improve the lives of American homosexuals.

At the first Annual Reminder, 40 demonstrators participated. By 1969 their numbers had tripled. The Annual Reminders were commemorated in 2005 by the placement of a Pennsylvania state historical marker by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission at 6th and Chestnut Streets where it is viewed by thousands of visitors daily. In Philadelphia, the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminder was held on July 4, 2015.

In 1973, at a time when no one higher in government than a mayor would meet with gay activists, Pennsylvania Governor Milton became the first governor in the nation to do so. That meeting, with me and Harry Langhorn, led to the launch of the first official governmental body to look into the problems faced by the gay community—and the governor ordered all state departments to participate in that effort. This was a first, not for just Pennsylvania, not for the nation, but the first such official governmental body of its type in world history. Never before had a government offered to create an official panel to look into ways to better serve its LGBT citizens. It was called the Governor’s Commission on Sexual Minorities. And it became the model for the world.

88 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

In 1975, Governor Shapp issued the first state executive order to end anti-gay discrimination in state government, again something never done before. The following year, he issued the state’s first official gay Pride resolution. And, when he went on to run for president that year, he had the first official presidential gay campaign outreach called Gays for Shapp. While he only won one precinct in the Florida primary, Coconut Grove (then the gay ghetto in Miami), his campaign did lead another candidate to look into gay rights—a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia, whose name was Jimmy Carter, and he appointed the first presidential liaison to the gay community.

In 1990, the City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Act was amended to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The bill, which was initially vetoed in 1998, was approved by City Council 6-2 and was signed into law by Mayor Sophie Masloff.

Established on July 1, 2009, the Allegheny County Human Relations Commission was established to ensure that all persons enjoy the full benefits of citizenship and are afforded equal opportunities for employment, housing and use of public accommodation facilities. These benefits must be accomplished regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry or place of birth, sex, gender identity or expression. The Commission was signed into law by Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato.

In 2004, the University of Pittsburgh agreed to provide health benefits to samesex domestic partners of employers.

The decision ended a class action sexual orientation case originating at the Pittsburgh Commission in 1996 by seven university employees.

On May 20, 2014, Judge John E. Jones III ruled that Pennsylvania’s same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional. The ruling was not stayed and same-sex couples, anticipating a stay in the ruling, rushed to fill out paperwork for marriage licenses all over the Commonwealth. Governor Tom Corbett announced on May 21 that he would not appeal Judge Jones’ decision, making Pennsylvania the 19th state to recognize same-sex marriage While LGBT people are not covered under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, they are protected by ordinances in 34 Pennsylvania municipalities including the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

Senate Bill 300 seeks to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to the protected categories under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA). If Senate Bill 300 were to pass, it would allow persons discriminated against in employment, housing or public accommodation because of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression to seek redress under the PHRA. We have accomplished much, but one item is still undone today. While we have continually introduced non-discrimination legislation, it has never passed. Today that should be our number one objective since as it has often been said that you can get married today in Pittsburgh and tonight a hotel in the Poconos can deny you a room for your honeymoon.

So as you look back on the struggle of the LGBT community, do so with incredible pride since we here in Pennsylvania have contributed to that progress in many ways.

We still have a long road to travel, but we do so knowing that our Commonwealth started us on that journey.

Each Week

Happy Hour

Shut Up & Dance 5-20 Latrice Royale 5-27 Tue-Fri $2 off Red, White & Foam Party 5-28 Local DJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All Day & Night 5-29 HMH Monthly Show 6-03 Pub Crawl & Bro Club 6-10 Pride Show Acid Betty 6-11 Last Dance Pride Party 6-12 Shut Up and Dance 6-17 V O O D O O 6-18 iCandy Wet T-Shirt 6-24 Underwear Party 6-25 Sunday BBQ @ NOON Red, White and Booze 7-03

Pink Pages Accomodations Arbors Bed & Breakfast 745 Maginn Street Pittsburgh, PA 15214 412-231-4643 arborsbnb.com Courtyard by Marriot 945 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-434-5551 marriott.com

Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh 1000 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-281-3700 westinpittsburgh.com

Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh 911 Galveston Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-322-2800 deltafoundation.us

Gertrude Stein Political Club of Pittsburgh gertrudesteinclub.org

Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown 600 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-391-4600 wyndham.com

Dignity & Respect Campaign 239 4th Avenue Suite 1201 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 1-888-222-8211 dignityandrespectcampaign.com

Steel City Stonewall Democrats stonewalldemocrats.org/ steel-city

Hotel Monaco Pittsburghâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Advocacy Organizations A Kimpton Hotel 620 William Penn Place Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Commission on Human 412-471-1170 Relations monaco-pittsburgh.com 1st Floor, Omni William Penn Hotel County Office Building Forbes Avenue 530 William Penn Place Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-350-6945 412-281-7100 omnihotels.com American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU) Parador Inn 313 Atwood Street 939 Western Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-681-7736 412-231-4800 aclupa.org/chapters/ theparadorinn.com greaterpittsburgh/ Renaissance Citizen Police Pittsburgh Hotel Review Board 107 Sixth Street 816 5th Ave., Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-562-1200 412-765-8023 marriot.com city.pittsburgh.pa.us/cprb The Priory Hotel City of Pittsburgh 614 Pressley Street Commission on Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Human Relations 412-231-3338 908 City County Bldg. thepriory.com 414 Grant St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2600 90 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

Equality Pennsylvania 717-319-5210 equalitypa.org Garden of Peace Project gardenofpeaceproject.org

Keystone Progress keystoneprogress.org

Attorneys/CPAs Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney, P.C. One Oxford Centreâ&#x20AC;Ż 301 Grant Street, 20th Fl. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-562-8800 bipc.com

Deloitte deloitte.com Elliot & Davis, P.C. 425 First Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-434-4911 elliot-davis.com Ernst & Young One PPG Place, Suite 2100 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-644-7800 / ey.com The Law Offices of Kathleen D. Schneider 1227 S. Braddock Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15218 412-371-1900 kds.law@verizon.net

Attractions Artists Upstairs P.O. Box 22133 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-443-8132 artup.org August Wilson Center 980 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-258-2700 augustwilsoncenter.org Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh 4400 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-622-3131 carnegiemuseums.org

Pittsburgh Pirates PNC Park 115 Federal Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-321-BUCS pittsburghpirates.com

City Theatre 1300 Bingham Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412-431-CITY citytheatrecompany.org

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust 803 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-471-6070 pgharts.org

Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh Hillman Center for Performing Arts Shadyside Academy Senior School 423 Fox Chapel Road Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412-968-3040 otsummerfest.org

Pittsburgh Lesbian & Gay Film Festival P.O. Box 81237 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-422-6776 pilgff.org

Pittsburgh Symphony 600 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-392-4872 pittsburghsymphony.org

Pittsburgh Public Theatre 621 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-316-1600 ppt.org

Renaissance City Choirs 116 S. Highland Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-362-9484 rccpittsburgh.org

Pittsburgh Opera 2425 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-281-0912 pittsburghopera.org

Rivers Casino 777 Casino Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-231-7777 theriverscasino.com

Palace Theater 21 West Otterman Street Greensburg, PA 15601 724-836-8000 thepalacetheatre.org

South Side Works 2730 Sidney Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412-481-1880 southsideworks.com Stage AE 400 North Shore Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-229-5483 promowestlive.com Three Rivers Arts Festival 803 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-471-6070 3riversartsfest.org Warhol Museum 117 Sandusky Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-237-8300 warhol.org

University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Diversity Stands with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prideâ&#x20AC;?

Proud to support Pittsburgh Pride

Fostering diversity and inclusion in the health professions Graduate School of Public Health

3550 Terrace Street

School of Dental Medicine

Pittsburgh, PA 15261

School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences

412-648-2066

School of Medicine School of Nursing School of Pharmacy

M216E Scaife Hall

412-383-5728 fax diversity@hs.pitt.edu www.healthdiversity.pitt.edu

D elta Foundation of P it t sb u rgh

91

Pink Pages Bars 941 941 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-281-5229 5801 Video Lounge & Cafe 5801 Ellsworth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-661-5600 5801videolounge.com Blue Moon On Butler St. 5115 Butler Street Pittsburgh, PA 412-781-1119 thenewbluemoon.com Brewer’s Hotel/Bar 3315 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 412-681-7991

Cattivo 146 44th Street Pittsburgh, PA 412-687-2157 cattivo.biz

Donny’s Place/ Leather Central 1226 Herron Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-682-9869

Club 231 231 Pittsburgh Street Uniontown, PA 15401 724-430-1477

Element 5744 Ellsworth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-362-7746 elementpgh.com

Club Pittsburgh 1139 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 412-471-6790 clubpittsburgh.com Cruze Bar 1600 Smalman Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-471-1400 cruzebar.com

Images 965 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-391-9990 imagespittsburgh.com Longbada Lounge 106 W. Pittsburgh Street Greensburg, PA 15601 724-837-6614

M&J’s Lounge 124 Mercer Street Butler, PA 16001 724-996-7879 Monster Pittsburgh 2204 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412-431-5282 monsterpgh.com

Tilden 941 Liberty Avenue, 2nd Fl. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-281-5222 tildenclub.com There Ultra Lounge 931 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-642-4435

P-Town 4740 Baum Blvd.

Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-621-0111 ptownpgh.com

The Link 91 Wendel Road Herminie, PA 15637 724-446-7717 thelinkniteclub.com

Real Luck Café 1519 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-471-7832

Vice Versa 336 High Street Morgantown, WV 304-292-2010 viceversaclub.com

Bridging Access to Care

Medical Care • Social Services • Food Pantry Pharmacy • Counseling • Housing HIV/Hep C/ STI testing

We can help.

WWW.PATF.ORG 412.345.7456 92 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

Wild Coyote Club & Showbar 869 Main Street Follansbee, WV 26037 304-917-4707

Churches Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church 416 W. North Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-322-4261 alleghenyuu.org Bet Tikvah “House of Hope” Rodef Shalom 4905 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-256-8317/ 412-621-6566 bettikvah.org

Bower Hill Community Church 70 Moffett Street Pittsburgh, PA 15243 412-561-4114 bowerhillchurch.org Calvary Episcopal Church 315 Shady Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-661-0120 calvarypgh.org Calvary United Methodist Church 971 Beech Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-231-2007 calvarypgh.com

Community House Presbyterian Church 120 Parkhurst Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-321-3900 communityhousepittsburgh.org Community of Reconciliation Church 100 North Bellefield Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-682-2751 communityofreconciliation.org Dignity Pittsburgh dignitypgh.org

East Liberty Presbyterian Church 116 South Highland Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-441-3800 cathedralofhope.org

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh 605 Morewood Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-621-8008 first-unitarian-pgh.org

East Suburban Unitarian Church 4326 Sardis Road Murrysville, PA 15668 724-327-5872 esuuc.org

First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh 5401 Centre Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-681-4222 firstumcpittsburgh.org

Episcopal Church of the Redeemer 5700 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-422-7100 redeemerpittsburgh.org

Golden Triangle Church of Religious Science 109 Pine Street 2nd Floor West Carnegie, PA 15106 412-749-0788 gtcrs.org

ALLEGHENY GENERAL HOSPITAL’S POSITIVE HEALTH CLINIC proudly supports

PITTSBURGH PRIDE!

Best wishes for a successful event!

THE POSITIVE HEALTH CLINIC

is an HIV clinic that provides quality HIV care as well as HIV testing

Proud to be a source of nonjudgmental health care and information.

If you are in need of our services call 1.866.433.0348

+ H E P OSI + IVE H EAL + H C LINIC 1307 Federal St. + Floor 01 Suite B110 + Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania

933 Liberty Ave. 1.800.230.PLAN www.ppwp.org @PPWPA D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

93

Pink Pages Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community 2700 Jane Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412-481-4010 hotmetalbridge.com

Metropolitan Community Church 4836 Ellsworth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-683-2994 mccpittsburgh.com

Rainbow Buddhists of Pittsburgh Three Rivers Drama Center 201 S. Craig Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 zenbowpgh.blogspot.com

St. Andrew Lutheran Church 304 Morewood Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-682-3342 st-andrew-church.org

JUDAH Fellowship Christian Church 120 Parkhurst Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-522-3032 judahfellowship. wordpress.com

One Church 937 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-261-1692 onechurchpittsburgh @yahoo.com

Religious Society of Friends 4836 Ellsworth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-683-2669 quaker.org/pghpamm

St. Andrew Lutheran Church 987 Beaver Grade Road Moon Twp., PA 15108 412-264-4551 standrewmoontwp.com

Pittsburgh Peace Church c/o East Liberty Presbyterian Church 116 S. Highland Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 facebook.com/ pittsburghpeace

Rodef Shalom Congregation 4905 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-621-6566 rodefshalom.org

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church 600 Pitt Street Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-243-6100 ststephenspittsburgh.org

Luna Rising/Pittsburgh Pagan Community lunarisingpgh.com

ConnectCard Tap Pride.qxp_Layout 1 4/4/16 2:06 PM Page 1

JUST LIKE CASH Load any amount on the ConnectCard up to $200. Use it anytime even if you don’t ride every day, it doesn’t expire like a weekly or monthly.

Forget about exact change.

ConnectCard.org

94 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

Sixth Presbyterian Church 1688 Murray Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-421-2752 sixthchurch.org South Avenue United Methodist Church 733 South Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-371-7421 southavenueumc.org Swissvale United Methodist Church 7415 Irvine Street Pittsburgh, PA 15218 swissvaleumc.org Temple Sinai 5505 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-421-9715 templesinaipgh.org

Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills 2359 W. Ingomar Road Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412-366-0244 uucnh.org Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills 1240 Washington Road Pittsburgh, PA 15228 412-561-6277 sunnyhill.org Waverly United Presbyterian Church 5900 South Braddock Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-242-0643 waverlychurch.org Zen Center of Pittsburgh 124 Willow Ridge Road Sewickley, PA 15143 412-741-1262 Deepspringzen.org

Economic Development Allegheny Conference on Community Development 11 Stanwix Street, 17th Fl. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-281-1890 alleghenyconference.org Pittsburgh Foundation 5 PPG Place, Ste. #250 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-391-5122 pittsburghfoundation.org Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh 200 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-6600 / ura.org

Vibrant Pittsburgh 425 Sixth Ave., Suite 2880 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-281-8600 vibrantpittsburgh.com Visit Pittsburgh 120 Fifth Avenue, #2800 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-281-7711 visitpittsburgh.com

Pittsburgh

WHERE ALL FAMILIES MATTER www.PFLAGPgh.org facebook.com/PFLAGPgh twitter.com/PFLAGPgh 412-833-4556 Advocacy, Support, Education

Education Art Institute of Pittsburgh 420 Blvd. of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-263-6600 Carnegie Mellon University 5000 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-268-2905 cmu.edu CCAC 808 Ridge Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-237-2511 ccac.org Point Park University 201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-391-4100 PPU.edu University of Pittsburgh 130 Desoto St., #A526 Pittsburgh, PA 15261 412-624-4141 pitt.edu

w Adoption w Collaborative “No Court” Divorce w Divorce & Family Law w Estates & Trusts w Gay/Lesbian Issues w Income Tax Returns & Tax Planning w Real Estate w Small Business Consultation w Wills & Powers of Attorney

412.371.8831 Conveniently Located. Evening hours available.

Regent Square Professional Building 1227 S. Braddock Ave. Pittsburgh, Pa 15218

www.kdschneiderlawoffice.com D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

95

Pink Pages Financial Institutions BNY Mellon bnymellon.com Fifth Third Bank 707 Grant St., #2000 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412- 291-5555 / 53.com Huntington Bank 310 Grant St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-667-6390 huntington.com Nationwide Insurance & Financial Products 2 Parkway Center, Suite 100 Pittsburgh, PA 15220 412-920-0161 nationwide.com

PNC Financial Services Group One PNC Plaza 249 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 1-888-762-2265 pncbank.com

LGBT Organizations

Gay for Good Pittsburgh gayforgoodpgh@gmail.com

Carnegie Mellon University studentaffairs.cmu.edu/ student-life/lgbtq

Gay Life TV gaylifetelevision.com

Riverset Credit Union 53 South 10th Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412-488-2011 riverset.com

Crewheads 412-281-8772 city-net.com/~lewis/ crewheads

USB Financial Services 5600 Walnut St. Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-665-9900 UBS.com

Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh 911 Galveston Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-322-2800 deltafoundation.us G2H2 g2h2pittsburgh.com

Gay and Lesbian Community Center 210 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-422-0114 glccpgh.org Impulse Pittsburgh impulsepittsburgh.com Initiative for Transgender Leadership Persad Center 5150 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224 transyouthleaders. blogspot.com

PFLAG Butler P.O. Box 1631 Butler, PA 16003 724-290-9674 pflagbutler.com PFLAG Greensburg 724-610-9388 pflaggreensburg.org PFLAG Pittsburgh P.O. Box 5406 Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-833-4556 pflagpgh.org Pittsburgh Black Pride pghblackpride@aol.com Pittsburgh Frontrunners 412-926-9866 pittsburgh-frontrunners.org Pittsburgh Ironmen pittironmen.org

Supporting Pittsburgh Pride

96 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

University of Pittsburgh Rainbow Alliance pitt.edu/~sorc/rainbow Steel City Bowling League steelcitybowling.org Steel City Softball League P.O. Box 99493 Pittsburgh, PA 15233 steelcitysoftball.org Steel City Volleyball League 412-506-3187 steelcityvolleyball.org Stonewall Sports Pittsburgh stonewallsportspgh.org T.R.E.A.T. treatpgh.org

Health & Medical Boak Dental 1910 E. Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412-381-3373 boakdental.com Central Outreach Wellness Center Timber Court Building 127 Anderson St., #101 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-322-4151 centraloutreach.com Highmark Fifth Avenue Place 120 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-544-7000 highmark.com

James Manzella LCSW, MA 2250 Mary Street, Ste. 307 Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412-488-8102 jamesmanzella@me.com MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center A427 Crabtree Hall 130 DeSoto Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261 412-624-1895 pamaaetc.org Pennsylvania Prevention Project M4mhealthysex.org

Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force 5913 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 412-345-7456 patf.org

Persad Center 5301 Butler Street Pittsburgh, PA 15201 412-441-9786 persadcenter.org Pitt Men’s Study PO Box 7319 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 1-800-987-1963 stophiv.org

Positive Health Clinic 1307 Federal Street, Fl. 1 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-359-3360

Pittsburgh AIDS Center for Treatment (PACT) University of Pittsburgh Infectious Diseases Falk Medical Building 3601 Fifth Avenue 7th Floor, Falk Medical Bldg.

Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-647-7228 dept-med.pitt.edu/id/pact. html

Project HOPE of Beaver County 155 Liberty Ave. Midland, PA 15059 724-862-0015 724-862-0027 (fax) www.facebook.com/ projecthopeofbeaver county

DRINK AND EAT Hours Wed-Sat 4pm-2am Open 7 Days for Special Events 146 44th St Pgh, PA 15201 412-687-2157

www.cattivopgh.com

D elta Foundation o f P it t sb u rgh

97

Pink Pages Shadyside Dentistry 5888 1/2 Ellsworth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-362-0900 Shepherd Wellness Community 4800 Sciota Street Pittsburgh, PA 15224 412-683-4477 swconline.org

Staying Positive 412-4500-POZ stayingpositive.inpgh.org University of Pittsburgh Medical Center 3380 Blvd. of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-641-4828 upmc.com

Pets Animal Rescue League 6620 Hamilton Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-661-6452 animalrescue.org Western PA Humane Society 1101 Western Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15233 412-321-4625 pahumane.com

Realtors Berkshire Hathaway 4420 William Penn Hwy. Monroeville, PA 15668 724-327-0444

98 P i tts b u rg h P r i d e M ag a z i n e

Coldwell Banker 5996 Penn Circle South Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-363-4000 pittsburghmoves.com

Lucca 317 S. Craig Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-682-3310 luccaristorante.com

Shiloh Grill 123 Shiloh Street Pittsburgh, PA 15211 412-431-4000 theshilohgrill.com

Eyetique 2242 Murray Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-422-5300 eyetique.com

Restaurants/ Bakeries

Mighty Oak Barrel 939 Third Street Oakmont, PA 15139 412-826-1069 mightyoakbarrel.com

Square Café 1137 South Braddock Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15218 412-244-8002 square-cafe.com

South Side Works Pittsburgh, PA 15203 southsideworks.com

Nine on Nine 900 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-338-6463 nineonninepgh.com

Ten Penny 960 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15222 412-318-8000 tenpennypgh.com

Pamela’s Diner 60 21st Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-281-6366 pamelasdiner.com

Tessaro’s 4601 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224 412-682-6809

Bistro 19 711 Washington Road Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228 412-306-1919 bistro19.com Chipotle Mexican Grill 211 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-224-5586 chipotle.com Crazy Mocha 5830 Ellsworth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-441-9344 crazymocha.com Dunkin Donuts 28 Market Square Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-281-3195 heartlandrestaurantgroup.com Hard Rock Café 230 W. Station Square Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-481-7625 hardrockcafe.com Harris Grill 5747 Ellsworth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-362-5273 harrisgrill.com

Priory Fine Pastries 528 East Ohio Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-321-7270 prioryfinepastries.com Seviche 930 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-697-3120 seviche.com

Tonic Bar & Grill 917 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-456-0460 tonicpgh.com

Retail Eons Fashion Antique 5850 Ellsworth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-361-3368

Travel Classic Travel & Tours 795 Pine Valley Drive Suite 16 Pittsburgh, PA 15239 724-733-8747 TRIPSandCRUISES.com

Utilities Comcast comcast.com 1-800-COMCAST EQT EQT Plaza 625 Liberty Ave., Suite 1700 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-553-5700 eqt.com

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO? e h t t s u j t o We’ve g

T E K TIC

Find TICKET Magazine in The TRIB Every Thursday!

Ticket magazine is your guide to the weekend and beyond. Local events, art, comedy, food, music, movies, theater, kids’ activities and so much more!

Visit us online at TribLIVE.com or call 1-800-909-8742 to subscribe.

OUR HOME IS YOUR HOME FOR PITTSBURGHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LGBT COMMUNITY Meeting Space

| HIV/STI Testing | Advocacy | Community Engagement