Showcasing Scholars We’re Proud of During Pride Month

From the founder of 500 Queer Scientists to advocates for same-sex marriage, the Graduate Center is proud of these scholars in June and year-round. 

In his dissertation, Ph.D. candidate Wiston Rodriguez (Psychology) zeroes in on LGBTQ employees and the unique challenges they face in the workplace.

Alumna Lauren Esposito (Ph.D. ’11, Biology) is a leading scorpion researcher and founder of 500 Queer Scientists, a visibility campaign for LGBTQ scientists. 

Jawanza James Williams (Political Science), an avowed “radical queer, prison abolitionist, socialist, feminist, Christian,” shares how he spoke at a panel at the Graduate Center about AIDS, inspiring him to apply to be a student years later. 

Astrophysics master’s student Ness Brown sees a chance to be a role model as a non-binary scientist. “You can have your gender bias against you, your race bias against you, and you can not come from a certain background,” Brown says. “You could have all the cards stacked the other way, and you can still succeed. You can still be a part of this community and be welcomed in this community.”

Tanya Domi, director of media relations at the Graduate Center, talks in this podcast about her experience on the National LGBTQ Task Force as director of their military freedom project to repeal the ban on gay, lesbian, and bisexual people serving in the military. 

Adrian Coman, a human rights activist who is at the center of a court battle in the European Union about same-sex marriage, talks about the struggle for LGBTQ rights in Europe and around the world on the International Horizons podcast.

Keywords for Gender and Sexuality Studies, co-edited by Professor Amber Musser (English), was included in Choice’s 2022 Outstanding Academic Titles list.

Professor David A. Gerstner (Film Studies, GC/Staten Island College) examines film directors, writers, and queer theory in his new book, “Queer Imaginings: On Writing and Cinematic Friendship.”
 

Ph.D. candidate Charlie Markbreiter’s (English) new book Gossip Girl Fanfic Novella reflects his scholarship in trans studies. 

George Takei, star of StarTrek and equally distinguished for his social justice activism for LGBTQ rights, receives an honorary degree at Commencement on June 2.

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