“For queer people, activism is literally just existing.”
-Carrie Reighard
LGBTQ+ people have always existed in Mt. Lebanon, but their ability to be out openly (and safely) has varied.
Peter Karlovich grew up on Kelso Road and attended Mt. Lebanon schools, graduating from the high school in 1978. During that time, he was not out as a gay man. “Had it been a different time, I might’ve been,” Karlovich said. He recalled “the occasional f-word” being used in the school hallways, but didn’t experience bullying or harassment himself. He also remembered students making homophobic remarks about one teacher, who later came out as gay.
In adulthood, Karlovich became highly involved in local LGBTQ+ activism with his husband, Steven Herforth. “One of our friends used to say it’s like we’re part of the gay mafia,” Karlovich joked. The couple has served on the boards of the Delta Foundation, Persad Center, Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force and Pittsburgh Pride.
Another longtime Mt. Lebanon resident, Greg Cherico, Park Entrance Drive, has lived here since 1998. “Honestly, it’s always been a wonderful experience,” he said. Cherico is the owner of Anne Gregory Couture, a high-end bridal shop on Washington Road, and said he’s developed strong friendships in Mt. Lebanon and within the business community.
Growing up as a gay boy in the ‘60s and ‘70s in Erie, he found living in Pennsylvania to be challenging. “But I was always confident in who I was.” He moved to Pittsburgh in the ‘90s and immediately felt more welcome here. A decade ago, Cherico opened a second store in his hometown, but said “People just didn’t get it. They’d come in and say ‘Oh, a man in a dress shop?’ And there were a few derogatory comments.” In Mt. Lebanon, Cherico’s never experienced outward discrimination, as a business owner or a resident.
For many queer families, a community’s diversity and acceptance are make-or-break factors when choosing where to live. In 2019, Travis and Stephen Simpson-Hunt were looking to buy a house in Mt. Lebanon. Their real estate agent, Vera Purcell, wanted to show them a home on Jefferson Drive in Mission Hills, but Travis worried about their family fitting in.
One morning, Purcell set up a house tour with a surprise. She sold homes to many other families on that street and called them to greet the Simpson-Hunt family on the morning of their tour. When the family arrived, they were greeted by their soon-to-be neighbors on the front lawn.
“We were set on the neighborhood after that. She brought out all of these people to make us feel welcome,” said Travis.
During their first June in Mission Hills, neighbors displayed pride flags and Lebo Pride yard signs in droves. “We didn’t put up pride flags because just by existing, we make a big enough political statement. We don’t need any targets on our backs,” said Travis. “But our neighbors said, ‘We understand why you don’t want to do it, but we want to make you feel welcome.’”
The Simpson-Hunts are active members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which they described as very welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. Both of their sons, Parker, 11, and Michael, 12, have been in Cub and Boy Scouts at Southminster Presbyterian Church, and Stephen was a den leader. When Parker came out to his fellow Boy Scouts as bisexual, none of them batted an eye.
“There were 22 boys in the troop and not a single one cared. Stephen and I were so happy no one did,” Travis said.
The Simpson-Hunts haven’t had a negative experience in Mt. Lebanon, but Travis noted, “That doesn’t mean they don’t exist. We’ve had friends that have,” including one couple that continues to have their home’s pride flag stolen.
A 2024 investigation from NBC News revealed that vandalism and theft of LGBTQ+ pride flags and other symbols has increased in recent years. Many homes in Mt. Lebanon display pride flags and Lebo Pride yard signs year-round. In March, some residents spoke out on social media about the destruction of their displays.
Lisa Steinfeld, Arden Road, said her Lebo Pride signs were ripped up on the evening of March 8. “We’ve had it since the signs were first made in spring 2022. This is the first time we’ve experienced vandalism,” said Steinfeld. However, another one of their signs was stolen in the leadup to the 2024 presidential election. Steinfeld and her husband were disappointed and upset by the incident, especially since a queer family recently moved to their neighborhood told her the Lebo Pride signs influenced their decision to move to Mt. Lebanon. “They felt reassured and were thrilled to hear about Lebo Pride.”
The municipality has policies in place to protect individuals from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in Chapter Three of the municipal code. The Mt. Lebanon Commission passed a resolution in 2022 to foster diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the municipality. The statement reads: “The Municipality of Mt. Lebanon has, at the heart of its vision and mission, a commitment to help create a community of belonging where all are welcomed, included and celebrated.”
It requires all municipal employees to reflect the municipality’s commitment and empowers volunteer board members to recommend ways to execute DEI improvements. The Civic Engagement Advisory Board makes sure the rights of all citizens are respected and advises the commission on community relations and inclusion.
Some local LGBTQ+ advocates, such as Lebo Pride founder Asta Kill, would like the municipality to go further in their support. “If you put pride flags out all around Washington Road during Pride Month, that means a hundred times more than a declaration.”
Carrie Reighard, former treasurer of Lebo Pride, said they’ve found “most people in Mt. Lebanon are accepting … Nowhere is perfect, but for the most part [living here] has been a wonderful experience.”
Creating Community
Years ago, early in her transition, Asta Kill found no community resources in Mt. Lebanon for queer people. “If there is nothing, somebody has to start it,” said the Sunset Hills resident and president of Lebo Pride. “Build it and they will come.”
Kill worked alongside then-high school student Lexi Byrom, another trans woman, and her mom, Stephanie Fedro-Byrom, to create a group for Mt. Lebanon’s queer community. Lebo Pride became a “true grassroots movement,” said Kill. “It transformed us individually, and Mt. Lebanon, as a community.”
They organized the first Pride Celebration at Clearview Common in 2022. People flooded the small park in Uptown. “There were more [people] than I ever thought there would be,” said Byrom. “It was really special seeing this pride celebration in the heart of Mt. Lebanon.”
Kill wants Mt. Lebanon’s Pride Celebration to remember LGTBQ+ history and build community amongst communities without a voice. She said queer visibility directly combats fear and hate, and one way to stay visible is with Lebo Pride signs: “You can show your house is safe with Lebo Sees You signs, which you can get by donation or for free.”
Since 2023, Lebo Pride moved its annual celebration to Mt. Lebanon Park, with daylong festivities including musical performances, drag queen story time for kids, clothing swaps, vendors, yoga, arts and crafts. The theme for 2025 Pride is the Queer Bear, an homage to Cheer Bear, the pink Care Bear with a rainbow across its stomach. At the June 14 event, the Queer Bear will be a 7-foot-tall centerpiece, which visitors can decorate with
colorful markers.
The family-friendly aspect is what makes Lebo Pride Celebration unique. “These kids can be themselves early on in their lives,” Kill said. “While I am sad that I never got to experience this as a child, I am so happy that they can, and this is how we can pass on the torch to the next generation.”
Kill described her own gender identity journey as difficult. “I just knew I was different. Nothing felt right.” It took her a long time to admit to herself that she was a transgender woman, having grown up in an era when gender diversity wasn’t discussed.
In 2018, Kill began her transition. “In some ways, it was a very dark time for me,” said explained. “Some neighbors wouldn’t talk to me in the beginning … But on the other side, so many people in this community have such a big heart.” Kill was invited to join social groups and was offered support, which was especially critical during a time when she felt very alone. That’s why she said Pride is so vital, to send the message that in the LGBTQ+ community, even in the hardest times, no one is ever alone.
Reighard moved to Mt. Lebanon in 2015 with their wife, Kyla, and child. “We moved here knowing there’s not a lot of queer folks here,” they said. “But it speaks a lot that we can have our own Pride.”
Kyla is also involved in queer advocacy in the community, but with a different group called YAG — the Youth Advocacy Group, founded by Lexi Byrom in 2022.
“My experience as an out trans person started in high school. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but it could’ve been better,” Byrom said. Growing up trans in Mt. Lebanon was “complicated. I didn’t really know what trans people were. I don’t think that’s exclusive to Mt. Lebanon though.”
Byrom wanted to gather other queer students in Mt. Lebanon to talk about issues important to them. About 20 kids gathered for the first YAG meeting at the Fedro-Byrom home on Park Entrance Drive, where they discussed presenting their concerns to the school board.
As older students graduated and left Mt. Lebanon, YAG has skewed toward younger students drawn to a supportive environment, rather than activism. The kids, many of whom are in elementary and middle school, gather at various homes after school to play, eat pizza and talk about their days.
Fifth grader Felix Smith said YAG is all about “getting to relax and play with people like me.” They hope more kids can “come out of their shell and join YAG. Like they aren’t worried about it being a safe place or not.”
Cameron*, who is also nonbinary and in fifth grade, said most teachers and students respect their preferred pronouns. However, Cameron talked about losing some friends after they came out. That is why YAG has been so important to them and other kids.
“We all just like to be around kids that understand us,” Felix added.
The Simpson-Hunts said YAG has been an invaluable resource for Parker. From a very young age, Parker liked to play pretend. It wasn’t long before Travis and Stephen realized Parker’s love for theater and dressing up. He loved to wear different dresses and costumes, especially his Darth Vader outfit. They read many books on gender identity and trans kids to make sure they could support Parker, no matter how he identifies.
“He has his whole life to decide who he wants to be,” said Travis. “Stephen and I didn’t have that growing up.” Travis said YAG helped Parker make new friends and called it “a life saver.”
Lex Smith, Felix’s mom, said YAG is most importantly “a safe place, resource and connection for kids and parents.” And if parents are unsure of how to best support their child who may be queer, YAG is available to answer questions and
provide support.
“People are so worried to make mistakes,” said Kyla. “But I’m thrilled when people call to ask me about these things.”
Byrom offered her own advice to young people questioning or struggling with their identity: “It can feel like there’s more people against you than there are with you, but that’s not true. The people against you are just really loud. There are a lot of people that love you and support you and we’ll get through it together.”
*Cameron’s name has been changed at their request.