Summary
This November 2013 issue of Equal magazine celebrates its one-year anniversary and covers a range of LGBTQ+ topics and community events in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Key content includes:
- Mayor-elect Bill Peduto’s Vision: A cover story highlights his commitment to LGBTQ+ equality, discussing his past efforts to secure domestic partner benefits for city employees and his future plans to promote diversity and fairness in city government.
- Former Mayor Tom Murphy as an Ally: The magazine features an interview with former Mayor Tom Murphy, who recounts his personal journey and political efforts to support gay rights in Pittsburgh, including orchestrating the provision of health benefits to same-sex couples.
- Understanding Hate Crimes in Pennsylvania: An article discusses a recent assault in Lawrenceville against two gay men, leading to an examination of Pennsylvania’s hate crime laws, their overturning in 2008 for including sexual orientation, and the federal Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
- World AIDS Day Events: A list of events scheduled for late November and early December 2013 to raise awareness and support for World AIDS Day, including ceremonies, markets, galas, and candlelight vigils.
- Thanksgiving Features: Articles offer “quick fixes” for common Thanksgiving dinner mistakes and share “gay fun facts” about the holiday, including a speculative piece titled “If Gays Ran the First Thanksgiving.”
- LGBT-Friendly and Unfriendly Colleges: The issue highlights findings from the Princeton Review’s 2014 “Best 378 Colleges” list, noting Grove City College as one of the most LGBT-unfriendly and Bryn Mawr College as LGBT-friendly in Pennsylvania.
- Community Spotlight: Features include Carey Cummings, an attorney promoting LGBT involvement with the Allegheny County Bar Association, and Desmond Blanding, a Pittsburgh resident reviewed the book “Who Asked You?”
- Local Events and Advertisements: A calendar of events for November and December 2013 in the Pittsburgh area, including comedy shows, drag races, Xtreme Bingo, and various parties. Advertisements from local businesses like UBS Financial Services, UPMC, PNC Bank, The Warhol, and Club Pittsburgh are also included.