At its monthly meeting on March 18, the City of Pittsburgh LGBTQIA Commission unanimously voted to endorse a new ordinance proposed by City Councilmember Barb Warwick aimed at reclassifying prostitution charges from misdemeanors to summary violations. The ordinance, strongly supported by local organizations including PAAR, NAMI Keystone, and SisTers PGH, is intended to reduce fines, eliminate jail sentences and court appearances for sex workers, and alleviate discrimination in housing and employment resulting from misdemeanor charges.
Commission members heard an informative presentation by Maggie Oates and Theresa Nightingale of the Coalition for Safer Sex Work. Their report provided critical context, revealing that 73% of Pittsburgh’s sex work-related arrests occur in Police Districts 1 and 6, disproportionately affecting Black sex workers. Of the 695 total arrests related to the sex industry up until 2022, approximately two-thirds (471 arrests) were specifically for prostitution charges. Significantly, only 3% of these arrests involved coercion or violence.
Commissioners learned that the proposed ordinance would give Pittsburgh police an essential tool for diversion, reserving more stringent penalties for those engaging in violent activities such as trafficking or exploitation of minors. The Commission discussed the importance of shifting police culture, drawing comparisons to the gradual changes seen in the enforcement of cannabis-related offenses. A formal statement supporting the ordinance will soon be issued by the Commission.
The meeting also included preparations for the March 20 LGBTQIA+ town hall at True T Studios, attended by Mayor Ed Gainey, representatives from the Commission on Human Relations, and LGBTQIA liaison Commander Eric Baker of the Pittsburgh Police Department. The event featured the distribution of “Know Your Rights” (KYR) cards designed to educate community members about legal protections and resources.
In other business, Outreach Chair Alexander Gray raised concerns about a recent incident at the University of Pittsburgh, where “LGBTQIA+” language on the University Counseling Center’s website was mistakenly altered to “LGB.” The Commission voted to issue a public statement calling upon all Pittsburgh-area educational institutions to affirm the dignity, humanity, and rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals. Pittsburgh remains a sanctuary city for gender-affirming care, and the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and supporting all residents.
Commission members also discussed ongoing administrative business, including efforts to fill leadership vacancies (additional co-chair, secretary, and treasurer positions remain open), the adoption of a new logo, and plans to conduct SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) training for city employees. Interns will assist in collecting data on restroom facilities on city property—information that is currently unavailable through the Department of Public Works.
To close the meeting, Commission Co-Chair Julian McClain invited community members to attend “Status Neutral,” a free brunch event recognizing National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day. This event, sponsored by True T PGH and Allies for Health and Wellbeing, was scheduled for April 5, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at TrueT Studios, located at 1632 Forbes Avenue.
Public comments for future meetings can be submitted through the Commission’s web presence, and interested individuals are encouraged to apply for open Commission leadership positions through Engage PGH.
