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Guilty Verdict for Local Woman Harassing Black Trans Teen and Her Family
This morning, a Pittsburgh magistrate judge ruled that local woman Darian Balcom was guilty of harassment after erecting a 9-foot billboard in her backyard. The sign read ‘Transing is Abuse and Homophobia’ and Balcom direct the sign in to the window of a 15-year-old Black trans teen living next door with her multiracial, queer family.
After documenting over two years of abusive and harassing behavior targeting the entire family, the teen’s fathers, Sean O’Donnell and Todd Collar, went to the District Attorney for criminal charges. The DA’s office filed one count of summary harassment which was presented in hearing in mid-June. Today’s ruling on that charge is a victory for the family who has endured so much, especially the kids. The family stated that it was important to have a public record of Darian Balcom’s guilt in this matter to hold her accountable for her actions.
In related news, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission has filed charges against Darian Balcom on three counts of biased harassment — familial status, race, and sex, all of which are protected by the Commonwealth’s non-discrimination law.
Sean O’Donnell and Todd Collar issued this statement:
We are thrilled with the judge’s decision. This is a victory not just for our…
