Bay Area Pride
By PFLAG SF
Bay Area PrideJun 21, 2022
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
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
View the full show notes and other platforms at pflagsf.org
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.