I am an associate professor and licensed psychologist specializing in sexual and gender health at the University of Minnesota’s Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health. I am also Director of the National Center for Gender Health. My training and lived experiences enabled me to apply knowledge of systemic oppression and resilience in my research, clinical work, teaching, community activism, and local, national, and international leadership. I am hopeful that this background will serve me well as President of Division 44 and with efforts towards the division’s initiatives.
My work in support of LGBTQ+ people includes consideration of sexual, mental, physical, and spiritual health. I incorporate affirming, trauma-informed approaches, while integrating multiple healing practices and conceptualizations (e.g., recognition of academic and community knowledge, ancestral honoring, creative expression, etc.). Incorporating self-reflexivity and examination around power is critical in social justice/rights work and is incorporated in all of my work. I have learned to think critically about strategic, creative problem-solving in situations complicated by power dynamics and to communicate such strategies to create change.
I look forward to working collaboratively to co-create ways of addressing issues and fostering inclusivity and movement toward action and meaningful, sustainable change. As an Asian American, queer, nonbinary/trans masculine person, I have a strong focus on centering and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, which can contribute to more culturally responsive, relevant solutions to complex issues and help to highlight what is overlooked or otherwise rendered invisible.
[Editor's note: Nicholas Grant, President-elect, resigned before becoming president; the outgoing President Eleanor McCabe, for personal reasons, was unable to continue for one-half term (as had been done in similar situations in the past). G. Nic Rider, newly elected President-elect, was willing to begin their term.]