Maur DeLaney, LMSW

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LGBT Care Manager, Trillium Health

Years in current role: 1

What do you enjoy most about your position in your company and/or your role in the community?

In addition to serving as the LGBT Care Manager at Trillium Health, I also founded the gender expansive social meet-up group Genesee Valley Gender Variants (GV²) in 2011. I continue to facilitate GV² weekly. I deeply enjoy embodying my authentic self while helping other gender expansive people find community and connect with resources. Many places are trying to tear gender expansive folks like myself down; I work to build us up. I also have had the privilege of representing Trillium Health at conferences like the Philadelphia Transgender Wellness Conference in 2022, the National LGBT Task Force’s Creating Change 2023 conference, and New York State’s LGBT Network Spring 2023 Retreat. I enjoy connecting with others across the state and the nation who are doing this work.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish before the end of the year?

Before the end of 2023, I hope to grow the LGBT care management services provided by Trillium Health. I also hope to mentor gender expansive community members who are interested in leadership roles in GV² and/or across the community. I will continue to serve GV² providing welcome and encouragement to gender expansive people who are exploring their authentic selves. I will continue to link LGBT community members with the resources available to us, within Trillium and across Monroe County.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your career?

Before my gender journey, I was very introverted. One of my biggest challenges has been developing the self-confidence to speak up and speak out. The more I have been able to embody my authentic self, the stronger my confidence has become, and the more I have been able to give back to the community.

What are your favorite things about the Rochester area?

I appreciate that Rochester has a vibrant and generally welcoming gender expansive community, so much so that there are people who move from other states because of what we offer. I enjoy spending time outside and Rochester boasts a lot of natural beauty, like Lake Ontario, the Genesee River, parks like Highland, Durand-Eastman, Mendon Ponds, etc. I appreciate Rochester’s broad range of cultural opportunities: the RPO, MAG, Strong Museum of Play, Jazz Festival, Vertex, the Public Market, the Pride parade and festival, and many, many more.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Rochester?

We have a housing crisis in Rochester. In addition to other costs of living, rent has skyrocketed in Rochester. This is leaving many people unable to find or stay housed. I see buildings going up that are out of reach for so many who are most in need. I challenge us all to reduce the barriers our community members are experiencing with regards to housing. I believe strongly in the worth and dignity of every person, which starts with the basics of clothing, food, shelter, and transportation.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power List for LGBTQ+ Business Leaders for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.