The City of Pittsburgh LGBTQIA+ Commission gathered on April 15 to reflect on a highly successful Town Hall event in March, finalize its official logo, and ramp up planning for upcoming Pride and Outfest events.
The meeting opened with the approval of minutes from November 2024, January 2025, and February 2025. The Commission noted that it had not met quorum in December and plans to upload approved minutes to its webpage to improve public transparency. Regular executive meetings will also be scheduled moving forward to improve coordination.
Commissioners celebrated the March Town Hall hosted at True T Studios, which drew over 65 attendees. Commissioner Julian McClain, who hosted the event, received enthusiastic praise from fellow commissioners for the welcoming environment, engaging programming, and strong turnout.
Commissioner Lenny Orbovich emphasized the value of allowing more time for public interaction at future events, while Commissioner Alexander Gray suggested incorporating digital Q&A platforms to improve accessibility for younger attendees and those less comfortable speaking in public. All “Know Your Rights” cards distributed at the event were taken, prompting plans to reprint them with improved readability.
Going forward, the Commission plans to host at least two town halls annually to support deeper community engagement and raise organizational visibility.
With Pride just weeks away, the Commission voted to move forward on several key logistics: a branded tablecloth featuring the newly approved logo, the printing of updated resource cards and informational pamphlets, QR codes linking to the Commission’s online platforms, and interactive features like a suggestion box.
Additional ideas included possible stage time for brief remarks and efforts to involve Mayor Ed Gainey and City Councilmembers at the Commission’s Pride booth. Commissioners also expressed interest in producing stickers, t-shirts, and even dog-friendly merchandise if the budget allows.
The Commission also announced that planning for Outfest is underway. While the first committee meeting date is still being finalized, the Commission will work closely with community partners, including Pittsburgh Pride organizer Dena Stanley, and city staff from Neighborhood Services.
In ongoing policy efforts, the Commission continues to advocate for legislation requiring unisex restrooms in all new and significantly renovated city buildings. A meeting with the Department of Public Works is scheduled for April 21 to assess upcoming projects that may be affected. Updates are also expected regarding SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) training for City employees.
The Commission unanimously approved two public statements during the meeting. The first supports the proposed “safer sex work” ordinance, which would reduce penalties for prostitution from a misdemeanor to a summary offense—highlighting the importance of harm reduction, economic equity, and minimizing criminalization. The second statement condemns recent actions by universities to remove inclusive language for transgender and nonbinary students, urging institutions to reinstate affirming language and uphold commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Both statements will be published with minor amendments based on commissioner feedback.
Finally, the Commission celebrated the adoption of its new logo—featuring clear, white lettering and a rainbow-accented depiction of one of Pittsburgh’s iconic bridges—symbolizing both civic pride and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
The next LGBTQIA+ Commission meeting will take place in May, when final Pride logistics will be confirmed and Outfest planning will continue.
For more information about the Commission or to get involved, please visit pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/lgbtqia.
