[Editor’s Note: CL asked the 2015 St. Pete Pride Parade Grand Marshals — Larry Biddle, Ashley Brundage, Nick Janovsky and Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas (represented by its president, Susan McGrath) — to talk about the experiences that have inspired their work with the community. The interviews, conducted via email, were condensed and edited for publication.]
ASHLEY BRUNDAGE: Opening doors
Brundage, a male-to-female transgender person, has been active in the local LGBT community since she transitioned in 2010. She’s worked tirelessly to promote awareness and acceptance of gender identity within the entire community. A personal and business relationship banker for PNC Bank in the Tampa Bay area, she is the newly named president of the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. She also holds board positions with a number of organizations, including the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the Ybor Youth Clinic, and TransAction Florida, and is involved with PFLAG, Out and Equal, the PNC Diversity Council, Balance Tampa Bay, and the Trans Support Network. In 2013, Brundage was named One of Tampa Bay’s Community Leaders Under 35 in the LGBTQ community. Other honors include the 2014 PNC Bank Circle of Excellence Award and 2014 Market All Star Award, University of South Florida’s 2014 Community Pride Award, and 2013 Watermark Wave Award. She was nominated for the Tampa Bay Business Journal Business Woman of the Year, The Trans 100 and the PNC Bank Performance Award in 2014. She was also named one of the 14 Most Remarkable People of 2014 by Watermark in December of 2014.
Reflecting on your life, what are some of the key moments from your own personal LGBT history?
When I reflect on my transition and how far I have come, both personally and professionally, from knowing no one in the LGBT community and not being my true authentic self to [being named] a grand marshal and president of the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce within five years, I am honored to be living and working in the amazing community that is the Tampa Bay area. The most difficult moment of my transition was coming out. I am fortunate to have the overwhelming support of my wife, Whitney, and our children. I can imagine anyone within the LGBT community can relate to this difficulty.
My first day at PNC Bank, after I self-identified during the interview, I was openly welcomed to the company and truly began my journey to who I am today. I had the privilege to be knighted into the Krewe of the Cavaliers in 2015, and became the first known transgender woman to join a Gasparilla Krewe. Last week, I was the guest speaker for MacDill Air Force Base’s first annual Pride Luncheon. It was an honor to address our military men and women.
What are some of your more memorable experiences working with the local LGBT community?
In January, the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce held our first annual Diamond Awards, recognizing champions for the LGBT community. We received overwhelming community support for the sold-out event, celebrating business and community leaders coming together for the same mission of equality.
The Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival celebrated [its] 25th anniversary in 2014. I was thrilled to be on the Board of Directors and [the] 25th Anniversary Festival Committee, [and] to celebrate LGBT in film.
What are some occasions in LGBT history that have inspired your community involvement?
Harvey Milk’s “That’s What America Is” speech on Gay Freedom Day, June 25, 1978, is a very inspirational moment in LGBT history and really parallels what I want to see within the transgender community.
He said, “You must come out. Come out… to your parents. I know that it is hard and will hurt them, but think about how they will hurt you in the voting booth! Come out to your relatives… come out to your friends… if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors… to your fellow workers… to the people who work where you eat and shop… come out only to the people you know, and who know you. Not to anyone else. But once and for all, break down the myths, destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake. For the sake of the youngsters who are becoming scared by the votes from Dade to Eugene.”
This was related to gay and lesbian rights, and today I feel it translates to transgender as well. We are seeing legislation specifically targeting people who are transgender, to deny us equal rights.
As the fight for equality moves forward, what are some changes you hope to see in your lifetime?
I would like to see SCOTUS bring marriage equality across the United States. I am hopeful for more equal rights protection and social acceptance of the transgender community. An increased transgender representation politically, professionally, and socially will continue to move us forward.
This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2015.