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Our Votes, Our Voices, Our Power

The LGBTQ+ community is not just a part of the political conversation—we are the conversation. In this election cycle, the stakes couldn’t be higher for queer and trans people. From anti-trans legislation sweeping across states to attempts at erasing our history and rights, it’s been a brutal few years. But as always, we rise. We’ve been here before, and time and time again, we’ve proven that when we unite, we are unstoppable.

The battle doesn’t end on election night. It’s only the beginning of a longer, more powerful journey toward queer liberation. In Pittsburgh and beyond, we’ve seen our community stand up, speak out, and fight back against attacks on our existence. From grassroots organizing to national campaigns, queer political power is not just about casting a vote; it’s about reshaping the systems that seek to oppress us.

This election year has shown us that we can’t afford to be passive participants in politics. Our rights, our safety, our very lives are on the line.

Queer political power doesn’t belong to politicians or institutions. It belongs to us. It belongs to every queer person who has shown up to protest, who has knocked on doors, who has supported their chosen family through the darkest times. It belongs to the drag queens who speak out at rallies, the trans youth fighting for their right to exist, and every one of us who refuses to back down.

This fight is far from over. We need to keep showing up—not just when elections are happening, but in the everyday battles for our rights, our safety, and our future. So I urge you, dear readers, to stay involved, stay vocal, and stay fierce. Whether it’s through volunteering, organizing, or simply supporting your community, we need you.

We are powerful. We are resilient. And in 2024 and beyond, we will continue to shape the future of this country.

Let’s get to work.

Jim Sheppard
Co-creator
QBurgh

Inside the @thebluemoonbar on Election Night: “I see Kitty looking up at the television. There’s a shine in her eyes. I ask her if I can take a picture. She lets me. I just say keep looking at the TV. She says her eyes hurt, but it’s not that. Tears are welling in her eyes.” Full article link in bio. ...

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Yes, this is a painful moment. The future feels uncertain, but we are a community that knows how to survive. This is not the end; it’s a new chapter in our fight for liberation. We are more than this moment, more than one election result. We’re a movement rooted in resilience, and together, we will continue to stand up, fight back, and carve out a world where we don’t just survive—we thrive.

This fight is ours to take up, and with every voice, every action, and every moment of love and support, we move closer to the future we deserve. Full article on How the Queer Community Will Rise Together Once Again link in bio.
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Jim Sheppard is a resident of Downtown Pittsburgh. Jim served as a Commissioner on the City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission which investigates instances of discrimination in the City of Pittsburgh and recommends necessary protections in our City Code to provide all people in Pittsburgh with equal opportunities. He has worked for Pittsburgh City Council, the Pittsburgh Mayor, and the Allegheny County Controller. For five years he was the President of the Steel City Stonewall Democrats. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (He / Him / His) JimSheppard.com