Gio and Alysse are opposites in many ways. Gio is a transgender black man and Alysse is a cisgender white woman and a plus sized model. Working as advocates for GLBTQ rights brought them together and their love bloomed. We discuss everything from how Gio’s family handled his transition to why Alysse has always had an open mind and how she achieved body positivety and turned it into a modeling career.
About the Guest
Alysse Dalessandro is a queer plus size fashion blogger, writer, social influencer, designer, and professional speaker. After graduating with a double-major in Journalism and Gender Studies from Loyola University Chicago, this entrepreneur is best known as the founder of body positive fashion brand and personal style blog, Ready to Stare which she founded in 2012. Bringing both a design and marketing background and a passion for social change to the table, Alysse is a trusted expert voice in the plus size fashion industry. Alysse has been featured on Good Morning America, VICE, Allure, People, Buzzfeed, Glamour and more. She recently walked in dapperQ’s fourth annual queer fashion show during New York Fashion Week. And she was named one of Cleveland Magazine’s 2018 Most Interesting People.
Giovonni Santiago is a Northeast Ohio-based transgender activist. As the founder of META Center Inc, a non-profit for transgender and gender nonconforming youth, he focuses on providing them with a safe space, resources, and an education on self-advocacy. Giovonni is a disabled veteran of the US Air Force and is responsible for assisting the Cleveland VA in opening the first transgender specific clinic in the country. Named to Cleveland Magazine’s Most Interesting People for 2018 and to NBC Out’s #Pride30 list, Giovonni stays busy. In his free time, he enjoys collecting sneakers and traveling with his girlfriend.
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Tennesha Wood – @tenneshawood
Alysse Dalessandro – @readytostare
Giovonni Santiago – @Metacenterinc (Facebook)
