Student Profile: Geraldine "Gerry" Puerto

Geraldine “Gerry” Puerto is a Community Health Education doctoral student in the Department of Health Promotion and Policy working under the supervision of Dr. Krystal Kittle and Dr. Kathryn Derose. She earned her MPH from the SPHHS in 2022 – 10 years after beginning her journey as an undergraduate psychology major at UMass.

Q: What does the LGBTQIA+ community mean to you?

When I think about the LGBTQIA+ community, I think about resistance and the beauty of existing in this world as you are without boundaries. My queerness is one of the identities that define my everyday experience. As a Latina, as a queer person, and as an immigrant, I know the importance of understanding how intersectionalities influence folks’ experiences and why it is critical to build solidarity. The UndocuQueer movement is one that I hold very close to my heart.

Q: Why is it important to you that different groups are represented in research?

Historically, research hasn’t equitably engaged marginalized communities in research. When we think about who is benefiting from the outcomes of research, it is important that marginalized communities are represented and included in ways that are respectful of the communities as opposed to just taking from these communities. The LGBTQIA+ community has oftentimes been sidelined or not acknowledged and there have been and continue to be efforts to “erase” us altogether. It is crucial that we understand the health disparities that exist within the community through research and take action accordingly. 

Q: How have UMass and the School of Public Health and Health Sciences supported you and the LGBTQIA+ community?

In the program that I am in now, I feel like I can be very open about my identities. I feel accepted, and I feel welcomed. The social support has truly made a difference in my experience as a student. I think it’s great that even in my department there are a lot of folks doing research with the LGBTQIA+ community and a lot of it is community-based and policy-based work. I think the visibility of that is so important.

Q: Has that support been beneficial to you and your educational path?

Absolutely. When I was younger, I didn’t have that support. I didn’t have many people I could connect with and share in culture, understanding, and dialogue. Now I have that. In my educational and professional path, I want to partner and engage with young people, to bring meaningful and equitable social support to young people’s lives, especially during young, formative, developmental years.

Q: Reflecting on LGBTQIA+ History Month, what would you like to see for the community in the future?

We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. Earlier I talked about building solidarity and with all of the anti-trans policies and bills, I would love for people from all communities and backgrounds to realize the injustices against trans people is a broader social justice issue – “Trans rights are human rights”. As we reflect on LGBTQIA+ History Month, I encourage folks to learn and read about all the important LGBTQIA+ figures throughout our history. We aren’t typically taught about them in school or we don’t learn about that part of their identity, but the contributions they have made to our society are truly invaluable.