Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey has appointed Maria Montaño, the city’s first transgender press secretary, to the LGBTQIA+ Commission.

The appointment was unanimously approved by City Council on Tuesday.

“Our great city has a rich history of advancing the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community,” Montaño said. “I feel humbled to be joining in that history during one of the most pivotal moments in the fight for the rights for transgender people to be able to live a life free from discrimination.”

The city’s LGBTQIA+ Commission was created in the summer of 2020. The commission, designed to make the city more welcoming for LGBTQIA+ people, seeks to develop advocacy programs for inclusivity. It also is tasked with serving as a liaison between the city and residents.

The commission has the power to recommend legislation to City Council.

“What a perfect choice by the mayor to appoint Maria to the LGBTQIA+ Commission,” said Councilman Bruce Kraus, who serves on the commission.

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