Some groups drop out of Pittsburgh Pride events in protest of Iggy Azalea; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 6/2/15

Chris Potter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Some groups drop out of Pittsburgh Pride events in protest of Iggy Azalea:

"Although pop star Iggy Azalea canceled her American tour last week, she’s still slated to perform at Pittsburgh’s Pride celebration June 13. So several LGBT-friendly groups who object to her inclusion are canceling their appearances instead.

“Our board voted last week to not march in the Pittsburgh Pride parade, due to the insensitive choice of Iggy Azalea as headliner,” said Vanessa Davis, who heads the Pittsburgh chapter of the youth-advocacy group Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.

Other groups also are criticizing the event and its sponsor, the Delta Foundation. The Australian-born Ms. Azalea has been accused of co-opting African-American culture while making racist and homophobic statements on social media. And while many credit Pride with increasing the visibility of Pittsburgh’s gay community, critics say Delta turns a blind eye to issues such as race and the concerns of transgender people.

Even the starting ticket price of $45 can exclude those on society’s margins, they say."

UPMC executive develops program focusing on dignity and respect; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 10/17/10

Pohla Smith, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; UPMC executive develops program focusing on dignity and respect:

""Traditionally, diversity means how many people you can count that are different ... but having diversity doesn't mean they're included," she said.

"Inclusion is the surest path to diversity."

And the surest path to inclusion, she said, is treating others with dignity and respect.

With that in mind, Ms. Castleberry-Singleton launched a Dignity and Respect campaign at UPMC in 2008."