Stonewall Center Staff

Brett-Genny Janiczek Beemyn, Director
brettgenny@stuaf.umass.edu

Brett-Genny came to UMass Amherst in 2006 after almost five years as the coordinator of GLBT Student Services at Ohio State. "Ze" (the gender-neutral pronoun for she/he) became a "career queer" after deciding that earning a Ph.D. (African American Studies) and three Master's degrees (African American Studies, American Studies, and Higher Education Administration) was enough time spent in school.

Brett-Genny is outgoing co-chair of the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, a board member of the Transgender Law and Policy Institute, and an associate editor of the Journal of LGBT Youth. Ze has published and spoken extensively on transgender college students and trans-inclusive campus policies. Brett-Genny's most recent publications include "Trans on Campus: Measuring and Improving the Climate for Transgender Students" in On Campus with Women; "Transgender Issues on Campus" in Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation: Research, Policy, and Personal Perspectives: New Directions for Student Services; "Cross Dressing," "Transsexuality," and "Transgender Students" in Youth, Education, and Sexualities: An International Encyclopedia; and "Genderqueer," "Transgender Issues in Education," "Transsexual Autobiography," and "Transgender Issues in the Law" for www.glbtq.com.

Brett-Genny has edited or co-edited five books/journal issues, including Queer Studies: A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Anthology; Creating a Place for Ourselves: Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community Histories; and, most recently, a special issue of the Journal of LGBT Youth on "Trans Youth." Ze's most recent work, written with Sue Rankin, is The Lives of Transgender People, which is to be published by Columbia University Press.

Brett-Genny lives in Granby, MA, with ze's wife Shelley and their two cats.

Jo Oleet, Graduate Assistant
joleet@educ.umass.edu

Jo Oleet holds a B.A. in Latin American Studies and Women’s Studies from Pomona College, where she gained experience advising and planning programming for the College’s Women's Union and Queer Resource Center. She brings to the Stonewall Center her strong background in facilitating workshops on dynamics of power and socialization, and in working with undergraduate students in both resource center and residence life settings.

Currently a master's student in the Social Justice Education program at the University of Massachusetts, Jo's work focuses on liberatory education practices in K-12 public school settings and the historical constructions of dynamics of oppression and domination.

Jo spends her spare time rock climbing, practicing yoga, and exploring the Pioneer Valley.

Adrianna, Undergraduate Staff

Adrianna is a sophomore Anthropology major from Lowell, Massachusetts, and this is her third semester at the Stonewall Center. In addition to classes and working at the center, Adrianna performs every Wednesday night with the Not Ready For Bedtime Players. When she has some free time on her hands, Adrianna likes to relax and listen to music, watch marathons of True Life on MTV, and sometimes get wild with a set of oil pastels and a sketch pad.

Andrew, Undergraduate Staff

Andrew is a senior English and Psychology major. He has worked for more than a year for Stonewall, where he coordinates HIV testing days and leads the effort to recatalogue the center’s library. He is also Vice President of the Pride Alliance. In his spare time, he loves to watch the television show Heroes with his friends and just to hang out.

Jenna, Undergraduate Staff
Jenna is a Law major and a Women’s Studies minor. This is her first year working at the Stonewall Center and she is really excited to be doing so. She coordinates LGBT ally trainings across campus. Previously, Jenna worked as a PFLAG youth speaker and was involved in NAGLY and BAGLY events. Fun facts about her is that she is an identical twin and her hometown is Salem, Massachusetts.