________________________________________________ JULY 20. 2007
outstanding
Youth Focused
just asking
rom piloting a project for the
needs of queer and trans youth to
establishing Saturday night drop-
in hours, Rej Joo has found
himself submerged in a body of
social service work that benefits his com
munity’s youth in numerous ways. He is
motivated to coordinate the Gender
Odyssey Conference in Seattle and, for
the first time, to establish a trans family
congruence.
Alongside these projects, Joo concen
trates on his research through the Sexual
Minority Youth Resource Center. After
finding that 40 percent of homeless teens
identify as queer and live in a homo-
phobic environment, he works toward
increasing support and gaining funding
from United Way.
Although his work leads the way, Joo
has never given up on his dreams of
becoming a doctor. He allows his dedica
tion to youth to be his guiding light.
time with my friends, who come
from any gender identity, as long
as they are somewhat socially
conscious, open-minded and
definitely laid-back. Every year
I make an annual journey to New
York City to see my friends.
I usually go around late summer.
Just Out asked Q Center visitors,
"Who do you consider, an ally in
the straight world?"
B rian H arris
Sfneader of Happiness
“Judith Light. Ever since Who's
The Boss, it seems that she
and Sharon Stone have done
a bunch of events together in
Los Angeles. It would be nice
to see more men involved.
Women seem to have more
sympathy and feeling about
the disease and the community
as a whole.”
My proudest moment at
work would just be getting this
job where 1 feel privileged to
work with youth. With regard to
my proudest moment in general,
1 was given a tortoise by my ex.
1 have taken very good care of it,
despite the fact that 1 am not
such an animal person. I spend
lots of time observing it and have
learned that it is an intriguing,
mysterious animal.
My name is Rej Joo.
I am known as a health education
specialist at AmeriCorps for SMYRC and
a queer youth advocate at Outside In.
Rej Joo is immersed in the social service field
benefiting queer youth.
I am 24 years old. I feel 24 years old. This is because I’m in a tran
sitional stage in my life. 1 don’t have a set career, yet I’m working
hard towards my goals. That seems to portray someone who is 24-
Right now I am at SMYRC. I’m preparing for a Bridge 13 meet
ing. At this meeting we will educate community members about the
needs of LGBTQ youth.
I had two childhood ambitions. The first, which 1 abandoned,
was to be a professional basketball player. The second goal was to
be a doctor; this 1 am still in pursuit of. This fall 1 am going to start
the application process for medical school. Although I love the
work I’m doing right now, 1 have a deep desire to follow my med- .
ical dreams.
My first queer crush was on a teacher. It was when 1 was 6 on
an art teacher at an after-school program that I attended. I don't
remember a lot about it; I just know that the feelings were there.
I like to spend my down time watching independent films. 1 also
enjoy working out, especially during the summertime. I spend my
JUStpUt 7
V alerie T obin
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
“Oldie but goodie Gloria
Steinem. In all of her work
she’s been inclusive in
[gaining] rights for women
that she’s sometimes confused
as a lesbian herself.”
My biggest challenge is my
goal of going to medical school.
1 have lots of work experience in
social service, but wanting to
transfer that to medicine has left -
me in a seesaw of self-confidence.
J eff K napp
Tap Dancing Attorney
My first job was as a lifeguard. I was 17 years old and worked at
the Conestoga Recreation Center.
“Judy Shepard or Betty
DeGeneres—people standing
up for their kids. Judy Shepard
has taken a personal tragedy
and turned it into something
that has helped a whole group
of people, rather than
retreating into mourning. ”
I get my inspiration from people who are pure at heart, mostly
children and those who are grounded in religious or spiritual
lifestyles. I feel inspired to create a better life for such pure children.
They make me a better person. This is why I love working with them
and spending time creating relationships with them.
My last queer event was [attending a] trans clinic meeting.
There were lots of doctors and social workers just discussing the
needs of trans individuals. [The time] before that, 1 went to C.C.
Slaughters for a dance party. 1 was celebrating my 24th birthday.
M ichele M annix
Energetic
My highest hope for the cause is health care. I want access for
intersex and trans individuals. We live in a society that has set up
a binary system. One is either male or female, and what health care
you receive depends on that. Those who don’t fit this description
are lost in the cracks. They are discriminated against, and this is
why I want to enter the medical field. I just want to be able to help
them. ©
“Jerry Ray, the director of
homeless services for the
Massachusetts Mental Health
Association, was my mentor in
the homeless and mentally ill
community. He was very much
an advocate for all sorts of
people. ”
—Neethu Ramchandar
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