Melody Maia Monet is the definition of an advocate.
I’ve enjoyed watching her blossom in her many capacities in the movement. Maia is the Transgender Resource Manager at the LGBT+ Center Orlando, a board member of Come Out with Pride and a Trans & Nonbinary Task Force member, a photographer, a YouTuber, a viewpoint columnist for Watermark and so much more.
As an out and proud transgender lesbian, Maia has spearheaded the conversation on LGBT+ issues for years. Through her YouTube channel she has been able to have tough conversations and answer questions many people have had but were scared to ask. The impact of her channel, I’m not sure even she realizes. It has helped so many people understand and see the humanity of transgender people. Maia has even helped me answer many questions I had post gender-affirming surgery.
I get the pleasure of working with Maia every day and seeing her shine. She is the facilitator for the Transgender Peer Network support groups here at the LGBT+ Center Orlando. A group that once had 5-10 attendees weekly now has an upwards of 60. Week after week I’ve seen the group grow into the beautiful safe space it is now and that’s all because of Maia. Whether it’s sitting with parents whose child has just come out as transgender or nonbinary and answering any and all questions, to helping our community with her advocacy fund budget, Maia’s main goal is to help anyone she can. This year along with the Les Vixens, she hosted a Thanksgiving dinner and mixer here at the LGBT+ Center for anyone who needs a safe space to celebrate the holiday.
When Maia isn’t working at the LGBT+ Center Orlando, you can catch her around town taking some great photos! From her own personal photography business Monet Boudoir Photography to the epic photos she takes at Southern Nights she will make sure she gets your best angle!
I’m so incredibly happy she is being celebrated for all the amazing work she does for our community. I cannot wait to see how she takes the Transgender Services Program to new heights. Maia is a prime example of living out loud, living proud and standing strong in the face of adversity.
View the full list of Watermark’s Remarkable People of 2024 here.
