James Knapp, Chair (he, him, his) was born and raised in Northeastern Ohio. James has been a member of the TransOhio Board of Directors since 2013. A lifelong activist, James first got involved in trans* advocacy in 2002, when he spoke to the Akron Public School Board concerning its policy on gender-variant individuals, dress codes, and bullying. Since that time, he has been involved with a number of student, local, state, and national organizations. He continues to speak and educate others on the complex issues facing the LGBTQ communities, focusing on concerns specific to transgender and gender-variant individuals. He has spoken to students, teachers, guidance counselors, social workers, medical professionals, and attorneys, both at private training and conferences. James has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from The University of Akron and a Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School.

Dara Adkison (they/them) is the Executive Director of TransOhio, a parent and a nonbinary genderqueer trans-masculine person. They previously served on the TransOhio Board of Directors for two years, where they helped grow and develop the programs TransOhio offers to the community. Their advocacy saw them testifying at the Ohio statehouse so frequently that many thought they lived in Columbus, rather than their home in Cleveland. Before joining TransOhio, they were President of the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, founder of the Rural Lorain Precinct Association, and a former candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives, running in 2020 as the first out LGBTQIA+ candidate at any level in Huron and Lorain counties. They have been involved with local, state, and national organizations through their legislative advocacy, public speaking, testimony, and educational efforts, helping provide community resources for the past decade.  

Carson (they/he) is a proud Ohio native, current Ohio resident and TransOhio board member. They have been involved in LGBTQ+ and trans advocacy at the institutional, local, state, and national levels with a particular focus on health policy and education. Carson is an activist and a lifelong student with the ultimate goal of serving trans patients and fighting for a better healthcare system for all.

Taylor Rex Selman grew up in Englewood, OH, a suburban community outside of Dayton. Taylor attended Miami University and lived in Oxford from 2018-2022, where they graduated holding a Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology and Public Health, as well as a minor in Community Based Leadership. For the past few years, Taylor has had the pleasure to work within the community as a Harm Reduction Service Coordinator at Caracole.

Outside of the office they facilitate community groups for trans folks in the area, and research-based collage work to highlight queer and trans ancestors. Taylor is passionate about fighting for HIV, harm reduction, and transgender advocacy.

Ari (she/her) is a trans woman currently living in Central Ohio. Originally from a scientific background, she decided to put her energy towards activism after seeing the mass introduction of anti-human rights legislation across the country. In her free time, Ari loves playing video games, tinkering with computers, and exploring nature.

Derek J Guy (He/Him/His) serves as the Program Manager for the LGBTQ+ Center at University of Cincinnati (UC), he has been introduced to the world of Student Affairs, a world he has quickly fallen in love with. He also spent the previous 12 years before his time at UC working in the social services field. In his spare time, he volunteers and works with several organizations for social justice and change, he is the current reigning Mr. Cincinnati Leather, he is father, a husband, a son, a brother, and most importantly a friend to many. Being the new Legal Services Coordinator for TransOhio is such a huge honor for him. Service is a strong tenant to his life and being to serve the community in such a meaningful way brings him so much joy. Thank you to the Board of Directors for giving me this opportunity.

(he/they)