Priorities
Gia is passionate about numerous progressive issues and has been at the forefront of making changes for Mainers for years.
Healthcare & Personal Safety
Gia has been deeply connected to healthcare issues for much of her life. Born with several life threatening birth defects as well as living with significant health challenges, she has survived because of access to quality health care much of her life.
Currently Gia serves as a member of the MaineCare Advisory Committee, advising the agency about health and medical services. Gia also serves as vice chair of the Maine Health Access Foundation Community Advisory Committee. MeHAF is Maine’s largest independent health philanthropy, promoting access to quality health care, especially for those who are uninsured and underserved, and improve the health of everyone in Maine. Gia is actively engaged in several violence prevention programs. She has served on the Oxford County Domestic Violence Task Force, and currently serves on the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault's LGBTQ Advisory Board, and the Violence Prevention Network. Gia was recognized with the Making a Difference Award in 2016 for her work across the state. |
Education/Youth
As a teacher and coach for twenty years, Gia has always put the success and wellbeing of young people first.
For seven years, she has co-led Maine's LGBTQ+ Youth Coalition, providing leadership to advocates, educators, and legal experts, commenting on school and health policy, drafting memorandum for state agencies, and coordinating safe schools conferences. As an advocate and educator, Gia has worked with countless teachers, coaches, staff, and administrators. She helped write and pass school policies that protect and empower LGBTQ+ students in schools, and was a leader on the team that passed a law making the practice of conversion therapy illegal in Maine. Additionally Gia has been camp director for EqualityMaine's New Leaders Project since 2015 providing social justice and leadership skills to LGBTQ+ youth from across the state. Currently, she is coordinating youth led digital drop-in groups so LGBTQ+ youth can connect during the Covid - 19 health crisis. |
Diversity & Employment
Gia is one of Maine's most sought after diversity educators, especially in relationship to workplace culture. In 2019 alone, Gia engaged with nearly 4,000 individuals related to better understanding gender and sexuality in the workplace.
In 2019 Gia worked with the Maine Board of Bar Overseers, helping to educate thousands of lawyers across the state on new harassment and behavior requirements. Gia continues to speak with and educate Human Resource officers regularly, offering trainings, keynote addresses, and smaller office conversations with HR teams. Gia is dedicated to improving how cities and towns can become more inclusive and welcoming to all peoples. She's worked with the Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, and the towns of Oakland, Fairfield, Winslow, Hallowell, and Kennebunk. |
