Mariah Payne (she/they/elle) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) working in North Ridgeville, Ohio, specializing in LGBTQIA+ issues and relationship counseling. With over four years of experience in the mental health field, Mariah has a considerable history in legislative advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community. They serve as the President-Elect of the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities of Ohio (SAIGEO), where they lead efforts to advance LGBTQIA+ competence in counseling and advocate for legislation to protect marginalized communities. Mariah has provided written and verbal testimony to Ohio government bodies on behalf of SAIGEO and the Ohio Counseling Association, opposing harmful legislation such as House Bill 68, which restricts access to gender-affirming care. In addition to her clinical work, Mariah is now a Navigating New Laws Trainer for the Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW Ohio), where they will educate healthcare providers on ethical practices in response to House Bill 68. Mariah holds a Master's in Counseling from Heidelberg University and has previously received SAIGEO’s 2023 Gene Dockery Excellence in Advocacy Award. Their commitment to promoting inclusive, affirming care is reflected in their work with clients, their legislative advocacy, and their community engagement through educational presentations and training.