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Photo by Mara Rago

QBurgh is your source for LGBTQ news and community resources in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Always by the LGBTQ Community and always for the LGBTQ Community. If it’s queer, it’s here.

QBurgh has been nominated for Golden Quill Awards and won in the category of Excellence in Written Journalism.

Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated.

Respecting and honoring our predecessors

Pittsburgh has a rich history of LGBTQ publications but has lacked a comprehensive news source since 2014. Wonderful, independent zines, newsletters, and blogs like QueerPGH, Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, Steer Queer, and QueerBurgher have worked tirelessly to celebrate and support our community. From Pittsburgh Gay News to Pittsburgh’s Out and Equal Magazine and everything in between, QBurgh will celebrate our community’s history and support our community’s future.

Please include releases@qburgh.com on your news release mailing list.

ISSN 2831-5669

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A member of the

Always striving to include diverse voices and perspectives.

We want to include your voice! The LGBTQ Community is as diverse as it is colorful and we want to celebrate every aspect of it. Come write for QBurgh and share your opinions and perspectives about the queer community of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.

From an LGBTQ Organization, Club, or Group?

Are you involved with a local LGBTQ nonprofit organization, club, group, or sports league? WE’VE RESERVED SPACE FOR YOU! We want to help spread the word about the amazing things you are doing. Send us your latest news, articles, updates, newsletters, events, ANYTHING. We will publish it for you FREE OF CHARGE! Get in touch info@qburgh.com

Our Community Directory is also reserved for LGBTQ nonprofit organizations, clubs, groups, sports leagues, and safe spaces in in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Make sure you’re favorite club or group is listed today!

Our Community Calendar is your space to list all the events you and your organization are throwing to support the LGBTQ Community. Let us know about your events and we’ll get them listed.


Projects of QBurgh

QBurgh.com Magazine

QBurgh Podcast

Q Archives

Pittsburgh Pink Pages

QBurgh Writers and Contributors

Alasdair Blackwell, Digital Editor

Alasdair (he/him & they/them) is the digital editor of QBurgh. He is a recent graduate of Chatham University with a BFA and a MA in Creative Writing. He grew up around Pittsburgh and now wishes to become involved with the local LGBTQ+ community. Through their writing, they hope to represent and advocate for queer people like himself.

Silas Maxwell Switzer, Archive Clerk

Archive Clerk

Silas Maxwell Switzer is a musician, poet, and history student who's dedicated to exploring and preserving the local queer history in Pittsburgh, PA, his lifelong home. In his effort to emulate the noble possum, Silas has taken to allowing himself to be coaxed out of his hiding spots by pieces of interesting trash, an interest which he calls "digital archiving." You can follow his work on his website, silasmaxwellswitzer.com.

Tia (she/her) is a recent Point Park grad who majored in journalism. She loves all things movies, music, and Pittsburgh! As the summer 2022 QBurgh intern, she’s looking forward to writing about Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ community and highlighting all the cool people doing cool things in the community.

G. Michael Beigay is a freelance photographer and special education professional for Allegheny Intermediate Unit. His photography has provided educational tools to aid students with cognitive disabilities. He also has worked with a media specialist at his LGBT-friendly church to develop various multi-media productions. He is one of the hosts for G2H2 and he is also the main photographer.

Alasdair (he/him & they/them) is the digital editor of QBurgh. He is a recent graduate of Chatham University with a BFA and a MA in Creative Writing. He grew up around Pittsburgh and now wishes to become involved with the local LGBTQ+ community. Through their writing, they hope to represent and advocate for queer people like himself.

Hansen Bursic (he/him) is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and LGBTQ+ activist. His work for QBurgh has won a Golden Quill Award from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania. Bursic's film work has screened all over the world from Frameline, the world's oldest and most prestigious LGBTQ+ film festival, to Reel Q here in Pittsburgh. His writing has been seen in online publications such as CinéSPEAK and QueerPGH. To learn more about Bursic's work, visit his InstagramFacebookTwitter, or his website.

Michael Buzzelli is a stand-up comedian and sit-down author. As a comedian, he has performed all around the country, most notably, the Ice House, the Comedy Store and the Improv in Los Angeles. As a writer, Michael Buzzelli has been published in a variety of websites, magazines and newspapers. He is a theater and arts critic for 'Burgh Vivant,’ Pittsburgh's online cultural talk magazine. He is also a Moth Grand Slam storyteller and actor. His books, "Below Average Genius," a collection of essays culled from his weekly humor column in the Observer-Reporter, and his romantic comedy,  “All I Want for Christmas," are on sale at Amazon.com. He is working on a LGBTQ romantic comedy called, “Why I Hate My Friends.” You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter. (He / Him / His)

Amanda Cetorelli is a Pittsburgh native who you might find in a local coffee shop reading a book or walking around town in the City or Mt. Lebanon. She studies architecture at Kent State University. Amanda loves photography and has pursued it as a side hobby since middle school. You can follow her photography on Instagram.

Chrissy Costa is a local comedian known for her dry wit, satirical style of comedy, and big earrings. Before doing stand-up she studied sketch comedy at Chicago’s famed Second City. You can follow her on Instragram and Facebook. (She / Her / Hers)

Brett is a Pittsburgh native and works with some of the world's most beautiful and famous women as a make-up artist. Known for his crisp, high glamour style, Brett's client roster ranges from young, punky pop stars to ladylike living legends. Before starting his own cosmetics line (Brett Glam) in 2007, Brett had deals with Revlon, Neutrogena and Pantene just to name a few. Get a glimpse of his glammy life (and nab a few makeup tips!) with his buzzy Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. (He / Him / His)

Roy Gloeckl resides in the southern hills of Pittsburgh, performing communications specialties for a local university. He is a lifelong gaymer who has yet to “catch ‘em all.” He is an actor who wants to be a cartoon. And yeah, he totally has a favorite dinosaur. Follow him on Instagram and tell him yours.

Chad Isaiah (he / him) is a Certified Fitness Coach, getting his clients results beyond the numbers on the scale by helping them understand their value as a person. He believes that health and fitness should be a safe and inclusive space for everyone. Check out his training services over at Chad Isaiah Coaching.

Rachel Lange is a freelance writer and editor, a parent, an artist, and a "boomerang" Pittsburgher.

After moving to Pittsburgh in the summer of 2013, Boomba became active in the community attending and organizing climate rallies and events. They are very passionate about advocating for a better Pittsburgh.

Drew Praskovich is a writer and filmmaker born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Drew's work for QBurgh has been nominated for a Golden Quill Award from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania. His short film, Seahorse, about a pregnant boy, has been screened around the world from the South Asia's biggest LGBQTIA+ film festival KASHISH Mumbai to NFFTY in Seattle, WA where it took home the Audience Award. His writing has been seen in TABLE Magazine, The Pittsburgh City Paper, and more. He currently resides in Beechview. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter. (he / him / his)

Mara Rago is an established photographer specializing in head shots, portfolios, corporate, legal, families, pets, florals, events and fine art nudes. She has had multiple exhibitions and her works have been recognized nationally & internationally.

Jason Shavers is a born and raised Pittsburgh native. He is an actor that has worked extensively on stage and not so extensively on screen. Jason is also a self proclaimed expert on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Musical Theater and sitcoms that feature 4 women leads. Yeah, he’s gay AF. Follow him on Instagram. (He / Him / His)

A transplant from NYC, Aaron always had a passion for helping and supporting the community in any way that he can.  Aaron hopes to bring to Central Outreach a sense of fun and laughter, but also compassion and empathy for all that are in need.

Hannah Waltz works on the U.S. Free Expression Programs team at PEN America, and currently calls Pittsburgh home. A true subscriber to the power of words and stories to promote good change, she's worked at the center of literature and activism at local nonprofits, bookstores and magazines in Pittsburgh, New York, and Indianapolis. She's on the board of ReelQ, Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ film festival, and believes in moving queer narratives to the fore.

Joe Wos sits around all day drawing funny pictures. He is left-handed.

About the Creators

About Jeff

Jeff Freedman (he/him) is a Pittsburgh native and is in his fourth decade of volunteerism for the LGBTQ Community.  Jeff is one of the founding members of the Steel City Softball League in 1981 and has been an active member of the LGBTQ Community ever since.  Jeff is currently a member of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission for LGBTQ Affairs.  He is a past Chair of the Pittsburgh Pride celebrations (’05-’07) and current Pittsburgh Pride March & Parade Co-Chair.  You would recognize him by his voice.  He was the loud one on the megaphone lining up all the March & Parade participants.  Jeff has a lot of great stories to tell and looks forward to sharing the printable ones with the QBurgh Community.

Photo by Mara Rago

About Jim

Jim Sheppard (he/him) is a resident of Downtown Pittsburgh. Jim served as a Commissioner on the City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission which investigates instances of discrimination in the City of Pittsburgh and recommends necessary protections in our City Code to provide all people in Pittsburgh with equal opportunities. He has worked for Pittsburgh City Council, the Pittsburgh Mayor, and the Allegheny County Controller. For five years he was the President of the Steel City Stonewall Democrats.

Photo by Mara Rago