James is the Community Engagement Manager, supporting the fundraising team through project management of the annual fundraising campaign and events. He brings 25 years of experience working in LGBTQ and HIV non-profit organizations. Trained as a queer youth leader through, James was politicized and educated on intersecting oppressions, coalition-building, and community organizing by strong southern change-makers.
From Case Manager to Program Director, James deepened his understanding of the impact of social determinants of health, HIV and LGBTQ stigma, and decolonizing AIDS Service Organizations. He led initiatives to change organizational culture and practices to better align with principles of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, sex-positivity, person-centered care, and housing first.
James has a 20-year drag career as “Gigi Monroe” and produces, performs in, and hosts many events and fundraisers each year related to drag and the LGBTQ Community to increase visibility and hold space for queer family to express themselves on stage in a supportive environment. For his achievement in queer arts, he’s received the Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Art and a coveted Rasmuson Foundation fellowship. He believes in the power of art and performance to change society and works hard to make sure queer artists are supported in Alaska and beyond.
He lives in a funky old house next to the state capitol and loves it more and more with each repair. Emile and Norman are his feline “assistants”, but they do little more than walk across his desk during Zoom meetings. James loves hiking, travelling, queer art and history, flowers, bright colors, and figure skating.