UP: Celebrating Pride Month: A Q&A with Six Transportation Leaders

On June 28, 1969, patrons and employees of the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village, were peaceably gathered when suddenly, New York City police officers violently dragged them into the streets and began making arrests. Although the New York City Police Department was known to raid bars and restaurants patronized by the gay and lesbian community, this night was different.

People fought back.

The Stonewall Inn was a place of refuge for drag queens and the gay community, a place where people could express themselves openly and socialize without worry amid an unfriendly sociopolitical climate. Police raids brought constant discrimination, harassment, humiliation, and violence to what was otherwise a safe haven, and people were fed up.

In the streets, a crowd of locals gathered in support of Stonewall employees and patrons, and the confrontations escalated into a riot. The six days of protest and violent clashes with police that followed came to be known as the Stonewall Riots. Although Stonewall wasn’t the first milestone in the history of the gay rights movement, it put it in the political spotlight and sparked a wave of LGBT+ political activism and gay rights organizations.

One year after the riots began, thousands of people marched from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park. As the parade of people filled the streets of Manhattan, they chanted, “Say it loud, gay is proud.” Thus, America’s first gay pride parade was born.

Today, we celebrate Pride Month every June to commemorate the fight for civil rights during the Stonewall riots and the many contributions of the LGBT+ community.

“It is important to understand lessons from the past, as they help us learn how we came to be,” said Amy Bang, Sr. Manager, Diversity and Inclusion. “As we celebrate Pride this month, we acknowledge our Union Pacific and BRIDGES LGBT+ leaders and allies that work to create belonging and inclusion in our workplace and communities.”

In honor of this important month, we’re featuring six members of BRIDGES, Union Pacific’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) employee resource group (ERG), and their experiences in the transportation and logistics industry.

Ryan Kula

Ryan supports the Supply Chain team through technology, audit, analytics, risk management, and other projects. He also leads the Business Process Optimization team, which works to deliver excellent procurement experiences for internal customers and suppliers. Ryan is the current president of BRIDGES.

Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of in your railroad career?
A: “I’ve been contacted by other LGBTQIA+ ERG organizations in the local Nebraska community and rail industry. They often recognize our Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index score and want to share best practices. One local Omaha ERG coalition has several newer LGBTQIA+ ERGs. As an established ERG it’s been great collaborating with them, as we’ve also learned innovative ideas.”

Q: Which LGBT+ leaders in the transportation and logistics industry do you admire?
A: “Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. He’s the first openly gay person confirmed to serve in a president’s Cabinet. I admire his willingness to be relatively public about his personal life.”

Q: Why is Pride Month important to you?
A: “Pride Month means different things to everyone. To me, the most important thing about Pride Month is visibility. Whether it’s a Pride flag in the yard or celebrating at a Pride parade, visibility is key. It’s also a moment to reflect on the progress and challenges LGBTQIA+ people face.”

Q: Is there anything you’d like to share about your own experiences or being a part of the BRIDGES or LGBTQ+ community?
A: “My husband and I recently had our destination wedding in Cancun! We were lucky to have a beautiful day surrounded by our supportive family and friends.”

Allison Ashdown

Alli Ashdown

Alli is a mainline Signal Maintainer: She tests, maintains and troubleshoots 20+ miles of wayside signals, switches, defect detectors and crossings on double track in Northern California.

Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of in your railroad career?
A: “As a member of the signal craft, I am proud to ensure the safety of train movements and the public with the testing we provide on our systems.

“I am most proud of my time as a Signal Instructor. The feeling of accomplishment I got from preparing our signal personnel for their career at Union Pacific was just awesome. I am proud to have contributed to the next generation of signaling.”

Q: Which LGBT+ leaders in the transportation and logistics industry do you admire?
A: “The LGBTQ+ leaders I admire are the team right here at Union Pacific. They come from all different departments, and whether they are members of the LGBTQ+ community or not, they have promoted diversity, equity, inclusion and our ERGs, including BRIDGES, tirelessly. They are the people responsible for Union Pacific being the only Class 1 Railroad to achieve a rating of 100% from the Human Rights Campaign Foundations Corporate Equality Index.”

Q: Why is Pride Month important to you?
A: “As well as honoring the 1969 Stonewall Riots, it brings attention to who the LGBTQ+ community is and hopefully what a person has to go through to live as their true selves. It’s a way for us to show we're normal people, just like everyone else. It’s our chance to show that it is good to accept one’s differences, but it is downright human to embrace them!”

Q: Is there anything you’d like to share about your own experiences or being a part of the BRIDGES or LGBTQ+ community?
A: “BRIDGES put together the documentation I have followed throughout my transition, and one member in particular has been my rock since I reached out. Whether it’s advice or her just checking in with me, she has always been there. It is because of that dedication that I joined BRIDGES. I would like to pay it forward by being there for someone that is scared or lost or just needs to talk. Navigating a life changing event such as transition or ‘coming out’ is difficult and scary at best. I would love to be that rock for someone to help them navigate through the process and/or pick them up when things go sideways.

“Union Pacific employees who are members of the LGBTQ+ community and don't know where to turn or need guidance, help, or just someone to lean on can look to BRIDGES. They can visit the BRIDGES page and request a mentor, and they can always contact me or another BRIDGES member. I will help all I can, as will every BRIDGES member. When discretion is a concern for most people and you don't know who to trust, there is no one with more discretion than someone who has been in your shoes.”

Kaleb Knudson

Kaleb is a Diversity and Inclusion Analyst for the Workforce Resources department. He helps support Union Pacific’s nine ERGs and one Business Resource Group. He also assists with a multitude of diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives at the railroad, providing technical and logistic support.

Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of in your railroad career?
A: “One of my favorite accomplishments is helping to establish and maintain Union Pacific’s D&I Listening Sessions. We established these virtual sessions in June of 2020 during the Social Justice movement following George Floyd’s murder. They provide direct communication with senior leaders regarding a wide range of diversity topics. Some of my favorite sessions include discussions around assimilation, mental health, microaggressions and LGBTQ+ trends. I thoroughly enjoy the sessions, and I think they have created a real impact for employees who would like to share their experiences, stories or concerns related to D&I. They also provide a place for others to listen and learn about a topic they might not identify with.”

Q: Which LGBT+ leaders in the transportation and logistics industry do you admire?
A: “I admire my boss, Debra Schrampfer, who is Union Pacific’s AVP and Chief Diversity Officer. She always shows up as 100% her authentic self at work and inspires me every day to do the same. I know that I wouldn’t show up as I do today if it wasn’t for her guidance, leadership and passion for D&I work. She and others have evolved our culture into one that places high value around D&I, and I cannot wait to see what is accomplished in the years to come under her leadership.”

Q: Why is Pride Month important to you?
A: “Pride Month is important to me because it reminds me that I am not alone in my struggles with my identity. Growing up in a world that can be very unaccepting leaves some long-lasting trauma that can be difficult to work through. Pride reminds me of all of those, past and present, who continue to be brave enough to show up as 100% who they are. It inspires me to continue living authentically and unapologetically myself.”

Q: Is there anything you’d like to share about your own experiences or being a part of the BRIDGES or LGBTQ+ community?
A: “Being a part of BRIDGES and the LGBTQ+ community has allowed me to grow in my own knowledge of the vast identities within our community. It has taught me that you don’t have to have full understanding to be accepting and loving.”

Cathy Martin

Cathy Martin and her daughter, Sidney

Cathy is a Senior Paralegal in Union Pacific’s Law department supporting in-house and retained counsel. She is a proud BRIDGES member serving on the Family Support committee at Union Pacific.

Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of in your railroad career?
A: “I have been working on personal injury litigation and commercial litigation for 18 years. I am very proud of my department and all the different client departments I work with on a daily basis. We have a diverse and wonderful team across the system. I am very proud to work for a company so committed to LGBTQ rights and issues.”

Q: Which LGBT+ leaders in the transportation and logistics industry do you admire?
“A: Union Pacific’s Chief Diversity Officer, Deb Schrampfer, is such an inspiration to women working in the railroad. I just truly admire her leadership.

“Stephen Moore is a dear friend and co-worker of mine. I admire his honesty. He is never afraid to speak up. I rely on him more than he probably knows and after my daughter came out, I really respected his advice and opinions. He was very encouraging and has been a great friend for a number of years.”

Q: Why is Pride Month important to you?
A: “My daughter came out when she was 15 years old. I handled it very poorly; I am very embarrassed to say that now. I became a member of BRIDGES to support her and learn how to be a good mother for her. I remember everyone in BRIDGES and my coworkers being so supportive. Even when I said I didn't handle it well, they were welcoming and helped me understand how to be there for my daughter. I have not always done or said the right thing to my daughter, but I continue to learn, and I support her unconditionally.”

Q: Is there anything you’d like to share about your own experiences or being a part of the BRIDGES or LGBTQ+ community?
A: “We are starting a Family Support portion of BRIDGES, which I think will be so great. There are so many families out there that really need the support and do not know where to go. It is normal to be confused and overwhelmed, even as a family member or friend. If someone feels comfortable enough with you to come out, hold that person and hug them as tight as you can. I hope to help other families navigate through their own experience with their kids, friends and family. I want to be a mother's lesson learned in the most honest and loving way possible.”

Scott Armstrong

Scott is a Labor Relations Analyst. He processes labor claims and handles submission exchange with the National Railroad Adjustment Board (NRAB).

Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of in your railroad career?
A: “For two and a half years, I trained Engineering new hires and remain in contact with a lot of my former students. It's incredible to see their growth and success with the company. It's a part of my career here at Union Pacific that I will always be proud of.”

Q: Which LGBT+ leaders in the transportation and logistics industry do you admire?
A: “I really admire Deb Schrampfer and all the work she's done here at Union Pacific. Every interaction I've had with her has been a positive and uplifting experience, and she really exemplifies positive, supportive leadership.”

Q: Why is Pride Month important to you?
A: “My daughter came out to me when she was 15 years old. I could tell she was nervous, and I told her how happy I was that she felt she could be open and honest with me about who she is. Pride Month is a chance for me to show her how proud I am of her, and how love is the most important thing in this world. I am a proud ally and a proud father.”

Q: Is there anything you’d like to share about your own experiences or being a part of the BRIDGES or LGBTQ+ community?
A: “Pride parades are the best!! It fills my heart to see so many people united in their support of love, and honestly, they've just been some of the most fun days I've had here in Omaha. I highly recommend attending or participating!”

Christine Marshall

Christine is the Manager of Strategic Sourcing for Union Pacific’s Fuel Team. In this role she works closely with the Mechanical, Dispatching and Transportation teams to manage direct-to-locomotive fueling as well as grease, propane, emergency fueling, and used oil recycling. Christine also supports the fuel quality and fuel treatment programs.

Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of in your railroad career?
A: “I'm most proud of my contributions to our sustainability plan as well as supporting women who work in the field.
“I work with various field locations and know they are typically male-dominated spaces. I wanted the women who work in these locations to feel welcomed, so I found a company called Aunt Flow that provides female support products. I requested budget dollars to install machines in the bathrooms, and now we’ve rolled out the program at several mechanical shops, with plans for more in other field locations. It just feels like the right thing to do.
“I’ve also been active in the Chicago and North Platte LEAD chapters. We held a luncheon and invited 300 women leaders in the North Platte area including 25 local North Platte LEAD members to talk about imposter syndrome and building confidence. The vendors for the event were local women own businesses. It was a great day.”

Q: Which LGBT+ leaders in the transportation and logistics industry do you admire?
A: “I admire Debra Schrampfer. She has a tremendous amount of passion for ERGs, the D&I space and sustainability initiatives.”

Q: Why is Pride Month important to you?
A: “Pride Month is important to me because it celebrates the LGBTQ+ communities and is an opportunity for me to show my peers that I will show up for them, that I'm an ally and that I hear them.”

Q: Is there anything you’d like to share about your own experiences or being a part of the BRIDGES or LGBTQ+ community?
A: “I'm really proud to be a member of BRIDGES. I'm proud to work at a company that acknowledges LGBTQ+ rights.”

The Importance of Diversity and Inclusivity

It’s important to honor, recognize, and hear the voices of the LGBTQ community. In addition to celebrating Pride Month, Union Pacific is also committed to promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in order to create an environment where people can be their best, both personally and professionally.

Learn More

To learn more about Pride Month, visit https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/pride-month. Or visit Union Pacific’s Diversity & Inclusion and Employee Resource Groups pages.

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