Who We Are
B. Ethan Coston, PhD. (they/them)
Ethan is a Sociologist by training, but pulls theoretically and methodologically from Queer and Sexuality Studies, Feminist methods, Health Psychology, Public Health, and Science and Technology Studies, to weave historiographical narratives about (they hope) both the how and the why of human behavior. As an elder millennial cripple punk and a proud Midwesterner, you can usually find them listening to late 90s and early 2000s emo (of all varieties). Ethan welcomes you to connect with him on LinkedIn (and wherever you can find them hiding out on various socials ;).
Andrés Cordero, Jr., MBA, ACS (they/he)
Soon-to-be “Dr.” Andrés will graduate from the California Institute of Integral Studies’ Human Sexuality program in 2023. His work focuses on the practice of sacred intimacy. A self-proclaimed pleasure activist, they advocate for promoting holistic and integrated healing and wellness practices that recognize sexual expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation as critical components for living a happy, fulfilling life. A fun fact about Andrés is that he’s into erotic rock painting! For more information, find them online and take a look at their dissertation research.
Natalie Malone, MA, 200RYT (she/her)
Deandra Escañuela (she/ella)
Alejandra “Ally” Castellanos (she/her)
Alejandra Castellanos is a first-generation Latina college student.
She had various leadership positions, including the 2019-2020 Nevada Association of Student Councils President, where she empowered students to enact change in their own communities. Currently, she is continuing to empower students of color to seek leadership positions and opportunities through her work with the Latino Policy & Politics Initiative and the Undergraduate Student Association Council. She is seeking a degree in Public Affairs, hopeful to break into the business world in order to continue to be a role model to other women of color.
You can find her on LinkedIn.
Emory Beatty/E Kirk Beatty (he/him)
Emory is a recent Virginia Commonwealth University graduate currently pursuing a Master’s of Social Work degree in the clinical track.
Prakriti Subedi and Milo
“Ever since I've had this little notorious ball of fur become a part of my daily life, everything has changed in my life and I am very grateful for what it has become.”
If Prakriti could eat only one thing for the rest of forever it would be mo:mo (nepali dumplings).
Deandra is a recent graduate of Public Affairs and Chicanx and Central American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. She shares, "I looooveee live music. I have been to about 15 concerts in the past year (masked up, of course) and I am so excited to go to more. Some of my favorite ones have been for soul and oldies artists with my mom. They are, unfortunately, a very expensive hobby of mine."
Chloe Morris (she/her)
Chloe Morris is a UCLA undergraduate double majoring in Public Affairs and Gender Studies. Chloe’s main area of interest is in the sexual health field. Specifically, she wants to advocate for policies decriminalizing sex work. At UCLA, she aims to destigmatize and increase the availability of sexual health services for students.
Ultimately, Chloe hopes to use her degree to facilitate large-scale structural change surrounding sexual and reproductive health through community organizing and engagement. Some of her dreams are to advocate for the protection of sex workers, improve sexual education for youth, and help mitigate gender-based violence.
Josie C. Auger, PhD (she/her)
Josie C. Auger served Indigenous peoples as an experienced senior administrator and elected leader for Bigstone Cree Nation (Treaty 8). Josie has worked with colleagues from Athabasca University and internationally as a Principal Investigator, co-applicant, and collaborator on research projects with Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Calgary, McGill University, University of Montreal, University of Saskatchewan, Thompson Rivers University, and Wilfred Laurier University.
Dr. Auger’s current fields of study, include Indigenous Studies focusing on Indigenous research methodologies, population health, Indigenous legal traditions, environment, architecture, history and culture. She is author of “My People’s Blood Indigenous Sexual Health Recovery” (2014).
As a service to community, Josie, is a board member for Keepers of the Water, a not for profit advocacy group.
You can also listen to Josie on the kikapekiskwewin podcast!
“kikapekiskwewin” is a Cree word referring to a future conversation. At the heart of each podcast, Indigenous cultural values in the context of post-secondary research ethics are discussed by Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples who presented at a June 2022 event or were members of the organizing team. These podcasts are a contribution to the body of work on Indigenous research methodologies.
Bria Brown-King (they/she)
Bria is a Black, queer, non-binary, and intersex person. Bria works as the Director of Engagement for interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth. Bria got their start in intersex advocacy in 2018 as a Youth advocate, and in 2019 they became the first openly intersex person to speak about intersex issues on the steps of the Supreme Court. Bria now serves on multiple advisory boards, representing intersex people both nationally and internationally.
Director of Engagement at interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth
Associated Professor in the Centre of Interdisciplinary Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Athabasca University, Turtle Island (Canada)
Omisade Burney-Scott, B.A. (she/her)
Board Member, Acorn Center for Restoration and Freedom, Founding Egbe Member, SpiritHouse South, Advisor, Elektra Health and Menopause Working Group Member, Society for Women's Health and Research (SWHR).
Omisade Burney-Scott is a Black southern 7th generation native North Carolinian feminist, social justice advocate and storyteller. Omisade has spent the better part of the past 25 years of her life focused on the liberation of marginalized people, beginning with her own community through advocacy work, philanthropy, community organizing and culture work. She is a founding tribe member of SpiritHouse and previously served as a board member of The Beautiful Project, Village of Wisdom, Working Films and stone circles.
Omisade is the creator/curator of The Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause, a multidisciplinary project engaged in culture and narrative shift work through the centering and curation of stories from Black women, women identified and gender expansive people. This project is a direct result of Omisade finding herself and her peers living at the intersection of social justice movement work, creative healer identities and aging. Omisade is a native of New Bern, North Carolina and a 1989 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. She is the proud mom of two sons, Che and Taj and resides in Durham, North Carolina.
Jessica Hille, J.D., PhD (she/her)
Dr. Hille is a gender and sexuality scholar and the Assistant Director for Education at the Kinsey Institute. In this role, she has overseen the development of an online continuing education program, serves as a Co-director for the Scholarly Concentration in Human Sexuality and Health with the Indiana University-Bloomington School of Medicine, and relaunched the Kinsey Institute Lecture Series, among other initiatives.
Her research focuses on asexuality and ace spectrum identities, sexual pleasure and orgasm, and critical theory. Her paper "'Sex' on the ace spectrum: Definitions of sex, behavioral histories, and future intereste for individuals who identify as asexual, graysexual, or demisexual" was published by the Journal of Sex Research in 2019. She has also presented her research at national conferences, including the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, and the American Public Health Association. Her current research projects focus on ace spectrum identities, consent, and non-sexual intimacy during COVID-19.
Founder/CEO of Black Girl's Guide to Surviving Menopause
Assistant Director for Education and Assistant Clinical Professor at The Kinsey Institute
T.J. Jourian, PhD (he/him)
T.J. Jourian is a recovering academic and an independent scholar, consultant, coach, and trainer with Trans*Formational Change. His practice, advocacy, and scholarship center trans and queer people of color’s experiences, perspectives, and leadership, and are motivated by intersectional and liberatory movements. T.J. earned his doctorate in higher education at Loyola University Chicago, studying how trans masculine college students conceptualize masculinity. His research examines race, gender, and sexuality in higher education, with particular attention to masculinity, transness, and racialization; campus gender and sexuality centers and practitioners; and trans*ing constructs and methodologies. Residing on unceded territory of the Lenni Lenape people – currently known as Philadelphia, PA – T.J. appreciates quiet times with his cat(s), watching reality shows with friends, good food and good drinks, and all the travel he can find the funds and time for.
Shanna Katz Kattari, PhD, MEd, CSE, ACS (they/them)
Shanna K. Kattari is a white, Jewish, nonbinary, disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent, polyamorous, queer fat Femme, whose practice and community background is as a board-certified sexologist, certified sexuality educator, and social justice activist. Dr. Kattari’s research focuses on three areas that often overlap; disability & ableism, sexuality & sexual health, and queer & trans affirming practice. Their work aims to understand how power, privilege, and oppression systematically marginalize, exclude, and discriminate against people regarding their identities, while also uplifting the brilliance and resistance demonstrated by these communities in the face of stigma and harm. Recently, Kattari’s work has focused on the health disparities among trans/nonbinary communities, across physical, behavioral, and sexual health, using community-based participatory research and arts based methods. Their work has also included several studies on disability and ableism, particularly regarding the Academy, and social work education. Dr. Kattari also explores experiences of sexuality in marginalized communities, most notably disabled adults, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, those practicing non-monogamy, and those practicing kink/Leather/BDSM.
Trans*Formational Change
Associate Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work and Women's & Gender Studies; Director, [Sexuality | Relationship | Gender] Research Collective
Monyae Kerney, MA, 200RYT (she/they)
Monyae (she/they) is the Principal Investigator/Lab Directrix of The CIRCLE. They identify as a spiritual non-religious, sexually fluid and gender fluid (non-binary) queer Black womxn. She is a Counseling Psychology PhD Student and the creator of The CIRCLE. Monyae graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University (2020) earning bachelor’s degrees in Psychology, Sociology, and African American Diaspora Studies. She then continued her education at Columbia University (2021), earning a Master's in Spirituality Mind Body Psychology and an Advanced Certificate in Sexuality Women and Gender [LGBTQ concentration]. Monyae is a proud Pisces (hey RiRi, hey Jhene, hey Badu🌱), loves everything spiritual, and everything nature. She is a yoga teacher, meditation facilitator, and doula for her intimate circle of loved ones
Aubri Lancaster, BA², ANTE UP! Certified (she/her)
Aubri Lancaster is a Sex Educator of 17 years sharing adult products and educating on the mechanics of arousal. As a Greyromantic Asexual, Aubri has lived experience and a connection to the Asexual and Aromantic communities that provides a unique perspective on the issues facing the changing landscape of sexuality and orientation. When not working, Aubri spends her time with her husband, her friends, her 5 year old, and her gaggle of Chihuahuas.
Principal Investigator of The CIRCLE (@thebadbxtchcircle) and community-based full spectrum doula for all birthing folx
Sexuality Educator
Xir Divine Rae (they/he/Divine)
Xir Divine Rae (They/He) is a spiritualist and energy healer who uses musicality and pleasure rebellion as an avenue for liberating the stagnated energy left in our fields from trauma. They are a certified meditation instructor, somatic bodyworker, and performing artist based in Atlanta, GA.
Divine's work is rooted in the belief that reclaiming joy stolen from enslaved ancestors is essential for the liberation of indigenous people. Through their own spiritual and sexual healing journey, and work done with others, They strive to create spaces where people can connect with their authentic selves and experience true expression.
In 2021 The Divine Kink Academy was born to share with others the 20-plus years of personal and professional experiences in the BDSM lifestyle, with an emphasis on spirituality and ritualistic kink and fetish exploration.
Divine Rae is Head of Household of House of Rae & co-owner of Dark Haven ATL, a creative studio and BDSM gallery that strives to create safer spaces of education, creation, and exploration of all.
Rahim Thawer (he/him)
Social Worker & Psychotherapist; Mental Health & EDI Consultant; Lecturer & Writer; Therapy Podcast Host
Rahim Thawer has had a strong presence in the LGBTQ community since he began working in the HIV/AIDS sector in 2008. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo with a major in psychology and double-minor in political science and English language and literature. He also completed a Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto in 2011.
He works as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, facilitator and public speaker, sessional lecturer, writer, and community organizer. Rahim loves all things mental health and is particularly interested in examining innovation in queer relationships. Whether in a classroom or therapy consulting room, he strives to operate from a harm reduction, sex-positive, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed approach. This is complemented by his vast public speaking portfolio, which is both thematically and regionally diverse spanning from Canada (Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Vancouver) to the USA (New York, Austin, Atlanta, Lexington) to the United Kingdom (London, Glasgow) and South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban).
Rahim was appointed as an International Visiting Scholar with the South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) for the 2021-2022 academic year.
For more on professional experience and positions held, visit Rahim's LinkedIn Profile or contact him at rahim@affectiveconsult.ca.
Maria Roman-Taylorson (she/her)
Maria Louise Roman-Taylorson has been a leader in social services for the transgender community in Los Angeles for over 20 years. Maria is a 50-year-old Puertorican Latina Woman who began her journey to self-discovery at age 19. Many doors would close in her path, but she was driven and determined to succeed. With this decision came empowerment and hardship. She has survived life on the streets and has overcome many of the issues her community continues to fight today. She has become an outspoken voice, an activist and a role model to the Transgender community.
Maria Roman was the first transgender to become Program Manager for Transgeneros Unidas prevention program at Bienestar Human Services, one of the largest HIV prevention programs in the nation with an all transgender staff.
Maria was a recipient, The Community Hero’s Award in 2005 by the Alianza Latino HIV Caucus Conference. Of the Harvey Milk Award by CSW in 2009 and The Women in Leadership Award by the West Hollywood Women in Leadership Chamber of Commerce.
Maria served 4 years as a Los Angeles County HIV Commissioner and is a California Certified Addiction specialist and is the New Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for the TransLatin@ Coalition overseen programming providing critical services for Trans Individuals Maria is also a Member of the Los Angeles Transgender Advisory Board on the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission, Gilead Transgender and HIV Research Community Advisory Board.
