LGBTRC Resource Center Staff

Barbara Jean "BJ" Douglass previously served as adjunct professor and mental health clinician in Rochester, NY. BJ's role at U of R included being a founder and co-chair of the graduate LGBTQ and Allies group, creating an "Ally of the Year" Award at the Warner School of Education, collaborating with multiple diversity groups on campus, and providing safe space trainings to K-12, college students, faculty and staff regarding LGBTQ issues and bullying. BJ brings more than 25 years of experience in community organizing, advocacy work, working with diverse and marginalized populations as well as interests in social justice, diversity education, leadership, and issues that affect children, women, and LGBTQ populations.

BJ created and taught several courses including LGBTQ experiences in American history, multicultural perspectives in counseling, and LGBTQ issues in education and human development. She has done a multitude of presentations regarding homophobia, bullying, LGBTQ activism on campus, LGBTQ cultural awareness and training needs of graduate students at a school of education and counseling, faculty panels regarding LGBTQ issues, and gender identity, intersections of gender, race, class and sexuality in adoption practices. BJ's publications have been included in the Social Work Perspectives regarding adoption policies and practices and several additional articles that are still in development. BJ's work also includes an extensive history with the Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender and Women's Studies grants.

BJ is currently a Ph. D candidate with the University of Rochester's (U of R) Warner School of Education and Human Development. She previously earned her graduate certificate in gender and women's studies from U of R, a post-graduate certificate in adoption therapy from Hunter College, a master's in social work (MSW) from San Francisco State University (SFSU), and a bachelor of arts in women studies from SFSU. BJ has also previously served on a multitude of committees, worked as a social worker at the Seneca County Community Counseling Center, and has also collaborated with the Gay Alliance of the Genessee Valley (GAGV) LGBTQ Youth Group. Her professional affiliations include the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals.

Natalie Nguyen previously served as the Resource Development Coordinator for JASMYN, Inc. Natalie's role at JASMYN included internal communications, media relations, and donor development. During hir time at JASMYN, Natalie helped solidify JASMYN's presence among local media, design and layout comprehensive annual reports, as well as assist in youth development and diversity trainings. Ze's current roles at the UNF LGBT Resource Center include website development, external communications, speaking in various classroom settings, Safe Space I training and making appropriate referrals as needed. Natalie is also certified as an HIV counselor and tester as well as co-chair of the People of Color committee under the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals.