Jae is an online peer educator with YouthResource.

Hi! My name is Jae and I am working on my Masters degree in Anthropology and Women’s Studies at a University in the Midwest. I am extremely passionate about diversity in gender and sexual expression. I commit myself academically and in extracurricular to opportunities that allow me to work towards the acceptance, expansion and encouragement of diversity in gender and sexuality.

I have a unique ability to talk to anyone and everyone. Many, many people have told me that I make them feel comfortable… more comfortable than anyone else ever has. And therefore a lot of people open up to me. I love to talk to people and help them to know themselves and express themselves. I have made my own gender and sexuality journey and continue to be on it. I identify as transgender and queer.

All too often, I think that young people are pressured into putting themselves in a box. There are so many ways to express yourself in and outside of relationships. And you don’t have to be the same person in the same box your whole life! I have had some negative and some positive feedback identifying previously as a lesbian and now as queer and transgender. I enjoy talking to people about their own coming out and self-identification.