There has been little to no time wasted by Mayor Ed Gainey since his historic win as Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor. And with a historic win, Gainey is shaping the cultural landscape of the City for an arguably equally historic appointment.
In a statement and tweet by Mayor Gainey on February 14th, the first-ever transgender woman, Maria Montaño, will serve as Press Secretary within the Mayor’s Office.
The appointment of Montaño is effective immediately.
In a statement regarding the new appointment, Gainey stated “She brings a wealth of communications, media, and lived experience to my Administration…I am confident in her commitment to making Pittsburgh a more livable city for all of us”.
“I am honored and excited to serve the City of Pittsburgh”, says Montaño. “I am looking forward to working with the administration and other city leaders to lift up our great city and communicate the incredible work that Mayor Gainey and his entire administration is doing every day.”
Previously, Montaño worked in communications for the SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania union, along with working for City Councilor Erika Stassburger assisting in expanding the protections of LGBTQ+ Community within the City of Pittsburgh.
She also served as communications director for the Professional Disc Golf Association World Championships that was hosted in Pittsburgh in 2015.
In addition to her work experience, Montańo called out the Pittsburgh Post Gazette editorial board for defending the misgendering of trans citizens of Pittsburgh by Tuhran Jenkins, including the notion that LGBTQ people are living in sin by “comparing it to adultery”.