Maria Montaño

@themariamontano

Former spox for the City of Pittsburgh; Currently Manager of Public Affairs @actreasurer.alleghenycountytreasurer.us‬. Opinions my own.

164 Following1,049 Followers780 Posts

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Maria Montaño@themariamontano· 7d

Another wonderful day to wake up as a trans person on the internet. This has become so normalized and has only increased in the past couple of years.

Disturbing transphobic comments left on a post about me.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· 10d

This is 45.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· 28d

Quiet Saturday morning in the garden. Sleepy bees and purple buds.

A macro photograph of a pollen-covered bee crawling across the center of a bright yellow sunflower. The bee is sharply focused against the flower’s textured disk, while the surrounding petals and background fade into a warm golden blur, emphasizing the tiny details of the bee and pollen.

A close-up macro photograph of the spiky orange and green center cone of a purple coneflower (echinacea), with soft pink-purple petals and blurred blooms in the background. The shallow depth of field highlights the intricate geometric pattern of the flower’s center.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Jul 5

Tried to bird yesterday. Didn’t have much success.

A bird with vibrant red feathers on its head and chest perches on the white metal hook of a bird feeder beneath a porch roof. The bird faces right against a softly blurred green background, making its bright red plumage stand out.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Jun 30

A court can issue a ruling. It cannot decide who we are. It cannot erase transgender people from public life. It cannot erase our families, our neighbors, our classmates, our coworkers, or our dreams.

A brick outdoor all with the words “trans lives are sacred” written on it.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Jun 23

Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen. Pour myself a cup of ambition.

A meme from The Simpsons showing Lisa Simpson holding out a coffee mug while someone pours coffee into it. The coffee pot is labeled “TRANS RIGHTS,” and the mug is labeled “ME.” Lisa has a satisfied, slightly smug expression as the mug fills, implying she happily and eagerly supports transgender rights.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Jun 21

Growing up my dad was always there for me. He came to every band concert, all my track and cross country races. But the way he loves me and sees me as his daughter is what makes him an incredible father. Happy Father’s Day dad. I love you and I’m so incredibly proud of you.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Jun 18

New fosters just dropped. These little floofs are too adorable.

Two fluffy kittens cuddle beneath a cat tree. A gray-and-white kitten with a pink nose sits quietly while a brown tabby kitten lies upside down beside it, playfully licking the gray kitten’s cheek. Their paws are tucked together on the carpet, creating an affectionate, candid moment.

Two fluffy tabby-and-white kittens relax inside a carpeted cat tree cubby. One kitten peers down through a circular opening above, reaching a white paw into the space below, while the other kitten looks directly at the camera with wide, curious eyes. Warm light highlights their soft fur and playful expressions.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Jun 16

If you see this post cat.

A black cat sits on the back of an orange sofa. He appears to be watching his favorite show through the window.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Jun 14

Live look at me seeing everyone in NYC today. It doesn’t even look like fun.

A humorous meme based on SpongeBob SquarePants. Squidward stands in the foreground looking out a window, while SpongeBob and Patrick happily play outside in the background. Edited into the scene is NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani a suit running alongside SpongeBob and Patrick, appearing to join in their excitement. Purple window blinds stretch across the image, partially obscuring the view. The meme conveys the feeling of someone enthusiastically joining in while another person watches from inside.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Jun 7

Happy Pride Pittsburgh!! It was an honor to serve as Grand Marshall for Pittsburgh Pride!

Selfie of Maria Montaño serving as Grand Marshal of the Pittsburgh Pride Parade. Wearing a floral dress, red cat-eye glasses, and a red Grand Marshal sash, she holds a bouquet of flowers while riding in the parade on a bright summer day. Crowds and fellow marchers can be seen celebrating Pride behind her.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Jun 2

Trans people are sacred. Our stories matter. Our joy matters. I’m honored to be named the 2026 Power of Pride Award Honoree by Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes and grateful to be part of a community that continues to choose love, courage, and each other. Join us: secure.actblue.com/donate/gaysf...

Promotional graphic for a Pride Happy Hour event hosted by State Representative Latasha D. Mayes. The background features a rainbow gradient. Large white text reads “Pride Happy Hour,” with event details at the top: “June 3, 2026 / 6–8P / 5801 Video Lounge.” A large portrait of Maria Montaño appears on the right, wearing a bright pink blazer, red cat-eye glasses, red lipstick, and a black shirt with the word “TRANS” visible. A smaller photo of Rep. Latasha D. Mayes appears in the lower left, wearing a bright blue suit jacket, white hat, and blue glasses. Text across a pink banner reads: “The Power of Pride Award Honoree 2026 – Maria Montaño.” At the bottom is the event website, “latashaforpa.link/pride2026,” along with campaign disclaimer text.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· May 20

Same energy.

A
Screen shot of results from
The primary race between Brittany Bloam and Pat Catena. It shows Brittany winning by large margins.

PA. DISTRICT 45 DEM PRIMARY STATE HOUSE
CANDIDATE
Brittany Bloam DEM
Patrick J. Catena Jr. DEM
AP estimates
92% of votes counted
VOTES
5,022
2,914
PCT
63.3%
36.7%
Updated May 19, 2026, 10:08 PM

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· May 11

The anti-trans mailers tied to Pat Catena’s campaign are disgusting, dangerous, and beneath the kind of community Pittsburgh should strive to be. If you want to help push back against this kind of hateful politics, donate to support the response effort here: givebutter.com/you-cant-buy...

The anti-trans mailers tied to Pat Catena’s campaign are disgusting, dangerous, and beneath the kind of community Pittsburgh should strive to be.

Across this country, we are watching transgender people turned into political targets. Donald Trump and his allies have labeled trans people and organizations a “threat” to national security. Hundreds of bills have been introduced across the country stripping away our healthcare, our rights, our dignity, and our ability to simply exist safely in public.
And this rhetoric has consequences.

Just last week here in Pittsburgh, someone was brutally attacked simply because they were perceived to be transgender. That violence does not happen in a vacuum. It grows in an environment where political leaders and campaigns decide that trans people are useful punching bags for votes, headlines, and fear.

When Pat Catena allows mailers that frame transgender people as something dangerous, threatening, or extreme, he is contributing to the same culture that puts our community at risk. Words matter. Campaigns matter. Leadership matters.

Trans people are not political props. We are your neighbors. Your coworkers. Your family members. And yes — we are your constituents.

We deserve safety, dignity, and humanity — not fearmongering designed to score political points.

Pittsburgh should reject this kind of politics completely.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· May 1

Happy May Day.

A scene from The Simpsons shows Homer Simpson running down a suburban street in pajamas, chasing a garbage truck as the sanitation worker rides on the back. Over Homer’s body is bold text reading “UNION BUSTING BOSSES,” and the caption at the bottom says, “Hey, wait! Stop! I have garbage!” The image is used as a humorous metaphor criticizing employers who oppose unions.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Apr 29

Good morning. Post flower.

Close-up, shallow-depth-of-field photo of a delicate pale pink flower in bloom. The soft, slightly translucent petals frame a cluster of fine white filaments tipped with yellow pollen, with a single taller pink stamen rising at the center. The background is blurred in muted gray and green tones, making the flower’s details stand out.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Apr 21

If you see this, post something orange from your gallery

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Apr 15

Breaking: the fountain at the Allegheny County Courthouse is on.

A stone courtyard fountain sprays water upward and cascades into a circular basin, set in front of a historic building with arched windows and a red-tiled roof. The textured stone façade features multiple rows of windows, and small trees frame the scene, creating a quiet, enclosed urban courtyard.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Apr 12

Happy 412 day to all who celebrate.

A photo of the Pittsburgh skyline as seen from the west end overlook.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Apr 10

Posting duck for @banditelli.org

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Apr 6

Happy moon day to all who celebrate.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Apr 3

Today is a beautiful day to stop and smell the flowers.

Close-up of a purple crocus flower in bloom, its petals streaked with white and softly blurred at the edges, with a bright orange stigma at the center against a green, out-of-focus background.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Apr 2

Views from 412.

A wide view of downtown Pittsburgh’s skyline under a gray, overcast sky. A mix of historic brick buildings and modern glass high-rises fills the frame, including a tall, pointed Gothic-style tower on the left and a sleek, stacked glass building on the right. The buildings are tightly clustered, showing the city’s layered architecture and urban density.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Mar 31

Today is Transgender Day of Visibility, and I am struggling to find words this year to honor this day. 747. This is the number of bills currently moving across the country this year. Each one is an attempt to dehumanize and define us out of existence.

A woman stands outside a modern glass building on a rainy day, wearing red cat-eye glasses, a light blazer, and a black T-shirt that reads “Trans rights are human rights” in colorful lettering. Her hair is slightly windswept, and she faces the camera confidently with one hand at her side and the other holding a phone. Reflections of city buildings and lights are visible in the glass behind her.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Mar 20

“The greatest thing we can do is to help somebody know that they’re loved and capable of loving.” - Fred Rogers Happy birthday Mr. Rogers, may we all strive to build a better future through love for all of our neighbors.

A
Statue of Mr Rogers under a blue sky with some clouds. He appears to be looking at the Pittsburgh skyline from across the river.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Feb 27

Happy birthday mom. I love you and wouldn’t be the woman I am today if it wasn’t for your love and support throughout my life. You have taught me so much about strength, passion, and what unconditional love means. Thank you for loving me and for being there whenever I need you. I love you.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Feb 11

Post a tree(s) you photographed

Low-angle view of a city park garden filled with purple flowers beneath a wide tree canopy of bright orange autumn leaves, with tall buildings and blue sky visible in the background.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Feb 7

New foster babies. I’d love to see your babies too.

Two black kittens in a room. One is laying next to a blue bowl with fish on the outside. His tongue is out because his food was delicious.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Feb 1

Post cat.

A black cat sits on a counter. His tongue is poking out. He is very cute.

Maria Montaño@themariamontano· Jan 12

Views from my office: Black and yellow. #herewegosteelers