I want to live 4-Ever. Do U?

13. January 2009 by admin.

Hurray for more good news for Pittsburgh.  It is one thing for our cherished Steelers to be playing for the AFC championship this Sunday at Heinz Field or Pitt basketball being ranked #1 in the country for the second week in a row, but come on, the news about Pittsburgh’s bond rating increased again and the New York Time’s story last week telling the country that Pittsburgh is the place to be were bigger.  After watching the news last night, Ed turned to me and said…”There is more to this city then the Pittsburgh Steelers.”  I knew he was right, but I sat and thought about it for a while. 

www.steelers.com; www.pittsburghpanthers.com; www.pgharts.org; www.outonline.com; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/business/economy/08collapse.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=pittsburgh&st=cse.

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

The 15 highest-rated television shows in the local market in 2008 were Steelers games, according to N.F.L. and Nielsen Media Research. The only reason there weren’t 16 games is because the September 14 game at Cleveland was not rated because of Hurricane Ike.

Once again, the Steelers led the league with the highest television ratings in their own market. The Steelers drew a 44.5/66 rating/share (percentage of households/percentage of household TV’s in use) in 2008, a 5 percent increase over 2007.

David Streitfeld’s interesting article about Pittsburgh in The Times on Wednesday, meanwhile, about the city’s conversion from steel town to service town, failed to mention the Steelers once. This is nearly impossible when writing an article about Pittsburgh; this is like writing a term paper without using “the.” While I was personally disappointed (yeah, I’m a fan), I congratulate Streitfeld on his feat.

A survey released several weeks ago proved the arts were more popular than the local sports teams.  How can that be?   It’s just a fact.  I love the Steelers, Penguins and Pitt, but I am also a big fan of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Dance Council, City Theater, Carnegie Museum, Warhol and the Pittsburgh Public Theater.  Cultural District or Heinz Field?  Why choose one?  Visit them all.   Pittsburgh’s cultural district is the envy of mid-size cities across the country and Steelers’ franchise is one of the most celebrated and most successful in all of sports.  I proudly admit, I am part of the Steeler Nation.  It is my right to choice.

Speaking of rights… 
Allegheny County Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Did you know that in Allegheny County it is legal to fire someone from their job simply because that person may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender?  It unfortunately is true, and happens even today all too often.  We need your support to end this discrimination, and help pass a county-wide non-discrimination ordinance that would protect all LGBT people.

This past summer, Councilwoman Amanda Green introduced legislation prohibiting discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Take action now by asking your Councilperson to support Ordinance 4201-08, a county-wide non-discrimination ordinance!

We also need to show the County Council that their constituents support fairness for all people. A hearing for public comment on this ordinance will take place on January 15th at 5:00 p.m. at the Allegheny County Courthouse, 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh on the fourth floor Gold Room. 

The American Family Association of Pennsylvania has mobilized their membership against this ordinance, and we need to show Council members the broad-based support this bill has! 

Please take a moment to e-mail your council member, and attend this hearing.  We must stand up for our voices to be heard!

• While Pittsburgh’s residents and visitors are covered by a local ordinances, LGBT people can be discriminated against without any recourse by simply crossing the city line into Allegheny County. The lack of uniform policy across the region also leads to confusion for LGBT people and employers, landlords and businesses.

• Thirteen Pennsylvania municipalities have already enacted civil rights laws including protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. These municipalities are Allentown, Easton, Erie County, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lansdowne, New Hope, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Swarthmore, West Chester and York. State College also has an ordinance that only covers sexual orientation discrimination in housing.

• Various organizations across the region, both LGBT and allied, support this important ordinance. The Value All Famlies Coalition works to support this type of legislation at the regional and state level, and is comprised of LGBT organizations, civil rights groups, labor unions and religious organizations, among others.
  
• Please join us by writing to your councilperson! Let them know that you think it is only fair to protect LGBT people from being fired, thrown out of their homes, or refused services, simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Your voice is especially important if you have been the victim of this type of discrimination!

If you would like to email your local Allegheny County Councilperson, please go to:
http://eqfed.org/campaign/allegheny_county_nondiscrimination_ordinance
and send a letter by following the directions on the right side of the page.

Thanks…

Be Seen.  This Thursday is the display advertising deadline for Out.  Most businesses need that extra edge right now.  You can make Out that special edge.

Question of the day. 
Where is Smallville’s Tom Welling?

It has been a while since I put photos of beefcake on my blog.  I hope I don’t offend my women readers.

So my life this week in a nutshell.  I am planning a birthday party for Ed on Saturday.  He will be 42 years old on January 19th.  Happy Birthday Babe!  I love getting older with him, but I do have a concern.  The years come too fast.  Really fast.  Does someone out there know how to slow this thing down?  Please tell me!  I don’t feel 42, nor do I look it.  How can it be?  HOLD IT!  Is 42 that old?  Isn’t 40 the new 30?  Maybe I am still dealing with the age thing.  The lgbt community doesn’t help.  And, before you tell me to grow up, please understand that this my therapy.  Seriously, I want to live forever, but want Ed and my family to be right there along side me.

Keep Reading…

Tony
tony@outonline.com

Sure, we all want to live forever, but what makes it great is having someone (people) to share it with.   I hope you find yours.

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