Stonewall Center Staff

Genny Beemyn, Director
genny@stuaf.umass.edu

Genny has published and spoken extensively on the experiences and needs of transgender people, particularly the lives of gender nonconforming students. Ze has written or edited seven books/journal issues, including special issues of the Journal of LGBT Youth on "Trans Youth" and the Journal of Homosexuality on "LGBTQ Campus Experiences" (Fall 2011). Genny's most recent work, written with Sue Rankin, is The Lives of Transgender People, which was published by Columbia University Press in November. In addition to being the director of the Stonewall Center, ze is also a board member of the Transgender Law and Policy Institute (www.transgenderlaw.org) and an editorial board member of the Journal of LGBT Youth, the Journal of Bisexuality, the Journal of Homosexuality, and the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice. Genny has a Ph.D. in African American Studies and Master's degrees in African American Studies, American Studies, and Higher Education Administration.

Maru Gonzalez, Graduate Assistant
mariag@educ.umass.edu

Maru Gonzalez is a second-year doctoral student in the Social Justice Education program and former school counselor. Her research interests include school counselor advocacy, bullying, and queer youth perspectives of school climate. In 2009, she co-founded Georgia Safe Schools Coalition, an organization dedicated to creating safe and affirming school climates for all students--regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. While in Georgia, Maru volunteered as a group facilitator for YouthPride and served on the organization's Education Committee. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Soulforce, a non-profit committed to freedom of LGBTQ people from religious and political oppression through relentless nonviolent resistance.

Maru's passion for safe schools has taken her from the schoolhouse to the White House, where she was invited to meet President Obama at the 2010 LGBT Pride Reception. She has also worked with lobbyists and congressional representatives to change legislation at the local, state, and national levels. Most recently, Maru helped secure protections for LGBT youth and faculty in her former school district's anti-bullying and harassment policy. In recognition for her efforts, she received the Champions for Equality Award in 2010 and was selected to march as a Grand Marshal in the Atlanta Pride Parade. In addition to activism at a grassroots level, Maru delivered weekly commentary as a Political Contributor for the CNN Newsroom with Rick Sanchez during the 2008 presidential election. Aside from activism, she enjoys reading, hiking, running, and playing Scrabble.

Brandon, Undergraduate Staff

Brandon, who hails from Buffalo, New York, is currently in his last semester pursuing a B.A. in Art History and a minor in Education. Best described as a big-thinker, Brandon loves the waterfront, Lady Gaga, educating others, the films Ratatouille and Sleepless in Seattle, and the people who will continue to support him through his hectic life. Looking to the future, he is pursuing graduate school to get his Master's degree in Higher Education Administration and continue his commitment to the college experience.

Previously a member of the UMass Pride Alliance and currently an R.A. in Southwest, Brandon wants to work to ensure that the Stonewall Center benefits not only members of the LGBTQA community, but also the campus as a whole. He feels the diverse community here at UMass is what makes the campus a beautiful area to live, learn, and prosper. He strongly encourages others to learn about the diversity of peoples to broaden their knowledge and to participate in open dialogue. Speaking up about the issues that mean the most to you promotes understanding, and he continues into his second year at the Stonewall Center with these beliefs in mind.

Daniel, Undergraduate Staff

Daniel is a first-year student at UMass currently majoring in Electrical Engineering. Coming all the way from Reseda, California, he hopes to help the LGBTQ community in any way he can. Daniel founded the GSA at his conservative high school and has volunteered his time wherever he could, from blood drives to breast cancer run/walks. He now hopes to work harder to make equality, peace, and love spread as far as the world lets him to create a better place for everyone to live in. Daniel loves art (especially M.C. Escher, Andy Warhol, Tim Burton, and Jackson Pollok) and TRON, is a major Kingdom Hearts nerd, and dorks out when math is involved. He loves helping people and strives to have an effect on people's lives and hearts.

Jenna, Undergraduate Staff

Jenna is in her last year here at the University of Massachusetts pursing a B.A. in both Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies and Legal Studies. She plans to enter a master's program to receive a degree in Education. Jenna has worked here at the center for four years and is very devoted to making sure the center is a safe and fun place for all. Her interests include listening to and performing classic jazz tunes as well as riding her bicycle and being close to the ocean. In high school, Jenna spoke on panels with PFLAG to fight anti-LGBT attitudes in middle and high schools. She has a passion for people and a drive for equality. She will greatly miss working at the center once she graduates.

Joe, Undergraduate Staff

Joe is a fourth-year student majoring in Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences. Originally from Dartmouth/New Bedford, he dreams of one day owning an organic farm here in the luscious Pioneer Valley. Joe is a strong ally looking to provide a positive role model image for others who are interested in becoming allies. In his spare time, Joe enjoys reading, watching film, and playing music. Coincidentally, like other staff member Jenna, Joe is also a twin!

Tony, Undergraduate Staff

Tony is from the shady streets of Lynn, Massachusetts, and is currently a lost first-year student at UMass Amherst. He is pursuing a major in Classics and a minor in secondary education. One word that can describe Tony perfectly would be "eccentric." Besides his obsessive love with pop sensation Ke$ha, Tony enjoys Pokemon, movies like Mulan and 27 Dresses, and singing/dancing on the streets, even though he looks silly. Although Tony may seem rather unusual, surely enough, he is very kind, friendly, and helpful. Tony is very excited to work at the Stonewall Center and he hopes that every year will be FAB-U-LOUS!

Andrew, Undergraduate Staff

Andrew, from Lexington, MA, is a Political Science and Economics double-major with a minor in Psychology. In addition to the Stonewall Center, Andrew current works at People’s Market, a student run co-op business, and the Office of External Relations in Whitmore. He served as a Legislative Intern at the Massachusetts State House and as a Legal Assistant at the Northampton-based immigration law firm, Curran & Berger LLP. Andrew currently peer advises for the Political Science Department and is pursuing academic honors within the department.

Andrew had dedicated his professional life to the fight against domestic violence and social injustice, focusing on the LGBTQ community. He plans to pursue his Master’s degree in nonprofit management, after which he plans on beginning his Ph.D. in public administration. Andrew will be interning at the Anti-Violence Project this summer, a NYC-based organization fighting against domestic violence in the LGBT community.