Summary
This edition of QBurgh Magazine, published in Fall/Winter 2023, focuses on Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ community, highlighting local businesses, events, and individuals.Key features include:
- Halloween Theme: The cover story and an article titled “It’s Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus” explore the LGBTQ+ community’s love for Halloween, featuring Pittsburgh drag queens Anna Steezia, Akasha L. Van-Cartier, and Dixie Surewood as the Sanderson Sisters. Another article lists “10 Beloved Queer Halloween Movies.”
- Community Spotlights:
- Sarah Rosso: Executive Director of the Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation, her activism in Washington D.C. at a Pride reception hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris is detailed. The Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation’s services for the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities are also highlighted.
- Brianna’s Mobile Workshop LLC: This business, run by an out and proud trans woman, offers various contractor services in Allegheny County and prioritizes serving the LGBTQ+ community.
- Councilman Bruce Kraus: The city’s first openly gay elected official discusses his 16 years on Pittsburgh City Council as he prepares to not seek re-election.
- Love, Katie Distilling: Pittsburgh’s first LGBTQ-owned distillery, founded by Katie Sirianni, is described as a “love letter” to her girlfriend and a welcoming space for all.
- Square Cafe: Owner Sheree Goldstein, a queer woman, discusses the restaurant’s 20th anniversary and its commitment to being a community space.
- Local Listings: The magazine includes a “Pittsburgh Pink Pages” directory, categorizing LGBTQ+ non-profits, groups, charities, leagues, arts organizations, health & wellness services, parties, political groups, seniors’ groups, social groups, sports leagues, youth organizations, college & university groups, affirming faiths & churches, gay/they/LGBTQ+ friendly bars & clubs, LGBTQ+ owned businesses, retail, services, and recreation.
- Editorials: Co-creators Jeff Freedman and Jim Sheppard share messages about the importance of LGBTQ+ history, National Coming Out Day, and the significance of community support during the holiday season.
- Advertising and Partnerships: The magazine features ads from various businesses and organizations, including AIDSFreePittsburgh.org, First Commonwealth Bank, KeyBank, Equality Careers, Point Park University, and Allies for Health + Wellbeing.
The publication aims to spotlight wonderful people, events, and businesses within the Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ community and preserve local history through initiatives like Q Archives.