[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10099]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF GINA DUNCAN

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2014

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, 
Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Gina Duncan. 
She was born into a large family in Cookeville, Tennessee on October 
24, 1955. Gina was originally named Greg Pingston at birth by his 
parents, Edward and Rae Pingston. Along with his two brothers and two 
sisters, he lived in 12 states and Europe before the family settled in 
Merritt Island, Florida in 1964.
  At an early age, ``Greg'' excelled in sports and leadership. At 
Merritt Island High School in 1973, ``Greg'' was class president as 
well as the captain and middle linebacker of an undefeated state 
championship high school football team. His senior year, he was named 
to the Florida All-State Team. ``Greg'' received a football scholarship 
to East Carolina University and started as strong safety under Head 
Coach, Pat Dye. While at East Carolina, ``Greg'' was also elected 
Student Government Vice President, becoming the first non-fraternity/
sorority elected officer.
  In 1977, ``Greg'' returned to Central Florida to start a family and 
his career in mortgage banking. He was named Central Florida Area 
Manager for Wells Fargo and Company in 1997, and was promoted to 
Regional Manager for the firm in 2006, overseeing 26 branches, 250 
employees and a multi-million dollar budget. During that time, ``Greg'' 
served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Florida Home Builders 
Association and as President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of 
Central Florida.
  After a lifelong struggle with gender identity disorder, in 2007, 
Greg Pingston transitioned to her authentic self, Gina Leigh Duncan.
  Since her gender transition, Ms. Duncan has been a visible and 
articulate advocate for the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender 
communities. Gina was the first transgender president of a major 
chamber of commerce in the country, being elected to head the 
Metropolitan Business Association in 2010. Gina also served on the 
National Business Council of the Human Rights Campaign and on the 
Central Florida Steering Committee of Equality Florida.
  In 2012, Ms. Duncan retired from mortgage banking and ran for public 
office. Garnering over 40% of the vote in an unsuccessful bid for the 
office of Orange County Commissioner, she was the first openly 
transgender candidate to run for office in Central Florida.
  Also in 2012, Ms. Duncan released her first book entitled, 
Attraversiamo, ``Let's Cross Over'': A Story of Gender Transition.
  Gina Duncan is now the Transgender Inclusion Director for Equality 
Florida, the state's largest LGBT advocacy organization. She is 
recognized as a national and international corporate trainer and 
speaker specializing in corporate transgender inclusion. She works with 
major corporations, elected officials, school boards, colleges, 
universities and non-profit organizations to improve knowledge and 
understanding of the transgender journey; and the development of 
competencies in supporting transgender people in the workplace. She 
provides firsthand knowledge of the dynamics of the transgender 
community, with the belief that embracing diversity and inclusion in 
the workplace allows people to be their true selves. This provides for 
an open and equal corporate culture, and increases economic well-being 
in society overall.
  I am happy to honor Gina Duncan, during LGBT Pride Month, for her 
contributions to the Central Florida community and to furthering 
equality in corporate culture.

                          ____________________