As we move into 2025 and approach the inauguration of President Trump, the LGBTQIA+ community faces an unprecedented crossroads. Rights we fought tirelessly to achieve are under constant attack, our safety is threatened, and the narratives about our lives are increasingly being erased or distorted. Now more than ever, local queer media outlets like QBurgh are not just important—they are absolutely vital.
Across the United States, queer media platforms are disappearing. Shrinking advertising revenue, rising operational costs, and political backlash have forced many outlets to close their doors, leaving our communities without trusted resources to tell our stories and represent our voices. The closure of these outlets doesn’t just mean fewer articles or fewer event listings—it means less visibility, less representation, and fewer platforms where we can celebrate our victories, share our struggles, and hold those in power accountable.
In the face of this national crisis, QBurgh stands as the only local queer media platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of LGBTQIA+ people in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. It is more than a news outlet—it’s a lifeline, a safe haven, and a space where our community’s full spectrum of experiences can be celebrated and documented. As we look ahead to a political climate that will undoubtedly be more hostile to queer and trans communities, investing in QBurgh is an act of defiance, resilience, and love.
The numbers don’t lie. In recent years, hundreds of newsrooms across the U.S. have shuttered, including many serving LGBTQIA+ communities. Once-thriving queer media institutions, from newspapers to digital platforms, have been unable to weather financial storms exacerbated by declining ad revenue and lack of institutional support. Some of these outlets had been serving their communities for decades, documenting our history, sharing our stories, and giving voice to those who too often go unheard.
This trend has left countless cities and towns across the country without queer media representation, creating “news deserts” that further marginalize already vulnerable communities. The loss of these outlets doesn’t just impact today—it erases the archive of who we are and what we’ve fought for. Without local queer media, future generations will have no record of our victories or the truth of our struggles.
For Pittsburgh, this makes the presence of QBurgh even more critical. While other outlets have gone dark, QBurgh continues to tell the stories that matter to our community, from covering Pride celebrations to reporting on local policies affecting queer and trans people. But QBurgh’s ability to continue this work depends on all of us.
Why Local Queer Media Matters Now More Than Ever
Queer media is often the first to celebrate our joys and the first to warn us of impending threats. As we brace for political challenges in 2025, having a platform that uplifts LGBTQIA+ voices and centers our experiences will be essential. The loss of queer media nationwide has made QBurgh’s work doubly important—not just for Pittsburgh but as a model of what local queer media can be: vibrant, resilient, and unapologetically queer.
Local queer media doesn’t just report on issues affecting our communities—it creates connections. It’s where you find out about that drag show that raises money for mutual aid, the profiles of trans leaders doing groundbreaking work, and the personal stories that remind us we’re not alone in our struggles. It’s where we see ourselves reflected and celebrated.
In a time when mainstream media often sidelines or sensationalizes LGBTQIA+ stories, outlets like QBurgh ensure that our lives are represented authentically and with dignity. But this work cannot be done without your support.
Today, on Giving Tuesday, QBurgh is asking for your help to sustain the vital work of telling Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ stories. Every dollar donated to the QBurgh Community Advocate Reporting Fund supports in-depth reporting, event coverage, and features that uplift and empower our community. Your donation is an investment in a future where queer media thrives, and where our voices remain unmuted.
At a time when so much feels uncertain, supporting QBurgh is an act of resistance. It’s a way to ensure that, no matter what happens in 2025, Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ community will not be silenced. It’s a way to say, loud and clear, that our stories matter.
Stand With Us
Giving Tuesday is more than a fundraising campaign—it’s a moment of solidarity. It’s a reminder that we, as a community, have always shown up for each other in times of need. From mutual aid networks to advocacy efforts, the LGBTQIA+ community has a long history of resilience built on the foundation of solidarity. Today, you have the chance to be part of that legacy.
By donating to QBurgh, you’re helping to sustain a vital platform that tells the stories no one else will. In a time when erasure feels imminent, your support ensures that queer voices remain strong, visible, and celebrated.
Donate today and be part of the movement to keep queer media alive in Pittsburgh. Your support isn’t just a gift—it’s an investment in a future where our stories are told honestly, boldly, and with pride.
