We recently connected with Angelle Maua and have shared our conversation below.

Angelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

My business came from a need in the LGBTQIA+ community for BIPOC/QTPOC folks that needed spaces where they could be 100% their authentic self.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Angelle Maua and my pronouns are they/she. I am a Black Queer Single Parent of a trans young adult. He came out in high school and when this happened I realized there were no resources for parents like me. There were resources but nothing that looked and felt like my family and what we needed. The Gender Phluid Collective started with support groups in North County at the TAY/YMCA Center in Escondido in partnership with San Diego and South Bay Youth Services, and the MLK Library in City Heights. Then my support evolved into other types of support for trans and non-binary, gender non-conforming people that need items to be 100% their authentic selves. I shared the resources we had for my son, from medical doctor referrals, mental health, and other resources that helped my family. GPC became a resource hub of sorts. GPC connected with school counselors in school districts and other community resources and formed a network of support. The proudest moments for GPC are being there for other people that needed support, helping them transition, whatever that looked like, and seeing them blossom and thrive. I still talk to people I supported 4.5 years ago and it’s a blessing.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I cannot go into detail but I was told that parents like me don’t do what I did. I proved folks wrong. I may not have had the business savvy of others but I knew what needed to be done. We are a CBO, Community Based Organization, not a non-profit, funded solely by donations and my daily job. I have been a CBO for four years and do not plan on becoming a non-profit.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I don’t have a specific story to share. I just do what is needed and get it done.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thegenderphluidcollective.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_gender_phluid_collective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGenderPhluidCollectiveSD
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GenderPhluid

Image Credits
Jammin 95.7, GLSEN SD, Planned Parenthood, The LGBT Community Resource Center