Bay Area Pride

Breaking the Artist's Perfection with Comedian Ashley Gavin

See Ashley live this week at Cobb's Comedy: livenation.com/artist/K8vZ917QeW7/ashley-gavin-events [https://www.livenation.com/artist/K8vZ917QeW7/ashley-gavin-events] In this special episode of Bay Area Pride, we're talking with the one and only Ashley Gavin. She shares her journey of pushing past the need for perfection in pursuit of comedy and creating the future she wanted for herself when gatekeepers held her back. We also discussed frankly the toll your art can take on you and how to build a support system that keeps you all going together.  About Ashley Ashley Gavin is a comedian, actor, and writer best known for her top charting podcast We’re Having Gay Sex. Her viral comedy and sketch videos on TikTok have earned her 1m followers, over 30 million views, and the occasional free smoothie. Ashley and her podcast have been mentioned in People, Forbes, Us Weekly, Out, and was named a 2020 best comedy podcast by Paste Magazine. Ashley’s stand up has been featured on AXS TV Live at Gotham, Laughs on Hulu, and SiriusXM channels including Comedy Central, Netflix is a Joke, and Raw Dog.  Ashley is known for her confidence, social commentary and unrelenting energy on stage. She is the only angry lesbian beloved by all, including old, straight, white guys. If you don’t believe it, she was Carnival Cruiseline’s first openly gay comedian. She exploded on the internet this year by showcasing her rare ability to authentically engage and improvise with guests on her podcast and audience members while on stage.

SF Suicide Prevention with Brad Chapin | Ep. 1 - Bay Area Pride

IN THE VERY FIRST EPISODE OF BAY AREA PRIDE, WE'RE TALKING WITH BRAD CHAPIN FROM SF SUICIDE PREVENTION (NOTE: SINCE FILMING, BRAD HAS LEFT THE ORGANIZATION). HE SHARES HIS EXPERIENCES OF WORKING IN VARIOUS FACETS OF MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY AND HOW PFLAG WAS INSTRUMENTAL TO HIS JOURNEY TO WHERE HE IS TODAY. View the full show notes and other platforms at pflagsf.org ABOUT BRAD While statistics show that the LGBTQIA+ community is at higher risk for suicide, it’s no surprise how the work complements his gay rights and activism involvement. In his off-hours from SFSP, he helps lead the charge with the HIV Caucus, Harvey Milk Democratic Club, which members fondly refer to as the Milk Club. Current campaigns include securing funding for treatment and research for sexually transmitted infections and supporting issues such as “Housing is health care. Brad’s former political mentor is Harry Britt, who ran the Milk Club. Brad and Harry strategized together for policy changes; Brad researched, wrote speeches for Harry, and helped him physically toward the end of his life. At Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, a mural honoring their friendship can be seen featuring Harry, Brad and Brad’s dog Blanche. The sweet chihuahua mix spreads cheers as she travels with Brad almost everywhere. Brad’s passion for helping others through mental health crises goes back to his teen years. After high school, Brad got involved with the mental health hotline Queer Nebraska Youth Network. He says it was inspiring being able to help 11-year-old kids who were calling in with challenges. Brad grew involved with PFLAG in greater Omaha, Nebraska. Brad went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and LGBT studies at the University of Nebraska. Later, Brad studied clinical psychology in graduate school in Boston. Brad’s work at SFSP gives him great pride for providing a space for people to have conversations that can change their trajectory in a positive direction.

INTRODUCING: BAY AREA PRIDE

When you are in the process of discovering your true identity or helping a loved one discover theirs, there are a lot of questions that come up. And after working within the LGBTQ+ community for almost 50 years, we are talking with some of our most active advocates who work in a variety of different Bay Area organizations who provide vital help for our city. They're here to guide you, give you real success stories, and help you answer those burning questions to make a better San Francisco for us all.