Mentoring to Build LGBTQIA+ Power
In our efforts to empower and improve the well-being of BIPOC LGBTQIA+ folx, we believe mentorship is critical. For LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults, identity development and minority stressors often delay progress on educational and career goals (Chen & Zhou, 2021). Despite the increased visibility of queer and trans folks in recent years, discrimination and microagressions in work and school environments are still prevalent for LGBTQIA+ folks across identities and industries (Sears et al, 2024). We believe effective mentorship with attention to power dynamics and the needs of mentees is a powerful tool to support our community members in reaching their goals in becoming the next generation of LGBTQIA+ researchers and activists (Arczynski et al., 2019; Benishek et al., 2004).
Office Hours
In spring of 2025, members of the FLAIR lab began analysis on a collaborative project, Measuring TAPE: Trans Affirming Providers’ Experiences. To advance the skills of the team, Nat Roberts began offering “Office Hours” — two sessions each week where they mentored other members in R by working through the project data. By the end of the summer, five members had gone from zero knowledge of R to playing a meaningful role in data analysis.
In the spirit of mentorship, Nat Roberts continues to offer Office Hours each week. Sessions range from focusing on R to working collaboratively on other elements of team projects (report writing, identifying avenues for publication, IRB development, etc.).
If you are a queer or trans researcher or activist looking for mentorship in research and data analysis, you are welcome to join our office hours. To join, please reach out to Nat Roberts at nroberts@ackerman.org to express your interest and receive the most up-to-date details on Office Hours and our current work.
Fall Office Hours
Mondays: 12:30a - 2:00p EST
Fridays: 2:00 - 4:00p EST
References:
Arczynski, A. V., Christensen, M. C., & Hoover, S. M. (2019). Fostering Critical Feminist Multicultural Qualitative Research Mentoring ψ. The Counseling Psychologist, 46(8), 954-978. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000018823782
Benishek, L. A., Bieschke, K. J., Park, J., & Slattery, S. M. (2004). A multicultural feminist model of mentoring. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 32, 428+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A127797003/AONE?u=anon~e71986e&sid=googleScholar&xid=2ad673d6
Chen, C. P., & Zhou, Z. (2021). LGBTQ+ youth: Careers threats and interventions. Australian Journal of Career Development, 30(1), 15-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220978977
Sears, B., Castleberry, N.M., Lin, A., & Mallory, C. (2024). LGBTQ People’s Experiences of Workplace Discrimination and Harassment. Williams Institute. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/45c9q04k