Queer Peers

Questioning your sexuality or gender? Thinking of coming out? Not sure how to support a friend who is questioning? Having relationship drama?

"Queer Peers" is a group of students who are committed to supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and ally (LGBTQA) community at Tufts. This diverse group provides non-judgmental and confidential support to any Tufts student who contacts them. The Queer Peers are trained through the LGBT and Counseling Centers, and also draw from their own personal experiences, so that they may be able to understand and assist with a wide variety of issues which might be brought before them.

If you’re a Tufts student and you need to talk, please email tuftsqueerpeers@gmail.com and put the name of the student you would like to correspond with in the subject line (example-- Subject: email for Ben). While you do need to be a Tufts student, you do not need to identify as gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/queer in order to contact Queer Peers.

Email tuftsqueerpeers@gmail.com and put the name of the student you would like to correspond with in the subject line.

Ben
Hello! I’m currently a sophomore majoring in English and Spanish. I am proudly from Chicago, Illinois and come from a family with Puerto Rican and African American roots. Here at Tufts, I am part of Team Q, a peer education group from the LGBT Center. I also co-facilitate Men's Group, a group for queer men on campus to discuss and unwind from the week. I also am co-chair of the Tufts Education Society, and try my best to make it to meetings for the Association of Latin American Students (I have quite the busy schedule!). Questioning your sexuality, coming out, and being out can sometimes all feel like very lonely processes. I felt this loneliness while coming out during my freshman year at Tufts and I don't want anyone else to feel the same way. I am doing Queer Peers so that those who do feel like there is no one to turn to, know that there is someone here to listen and connect to at Tufts.

Clinton
Hi, I’m currently a junior majoring in English and American Studies. Growing up in a fairly small suburb of Boston, I didn’t have a substantial LGBT support system while coming out. Nonetheless, I’m excited to bring my experiences and enthusiasm for LGBT issues to the Tufts community. I enjoy performing with various music ensembles at Tufts, reading, writing, leading Men's Group, and getting involved in various LGBT center activities. I believe Queer Peers is a unique opportunity to reach out to a classmate regarding issues of sexuality and identity on campus. We are here to offer a confidential, student perspective on your thoughts and concerns. I look forward to hearing from you!

Kate
Hey guys! I'm a junior from Connecticut majoring in Biopsychology with a minor in studio art. On campus I am part of S.P.E.A.C. (Students Promoting Equality Awareness and Compassion), a group dedicated to bias awareness and prevention, Team Q, and I play Rugby. In the past I have been a co-facilitator of  Queer Women's Group and a co-president of Queer Straight Alliance (QSA), but this semester I am traveling abroad in Australia. Although there may be a bit of response lag due to the 16 hour time difference, I still want to reach out to any students that feel they could use my support. I am interested in being a queer peer because I have seen a lot of friends struggle with coming out, coming to terms with their sexuality, and adjusting to and dealing with personal issues affected by their "queerness." As a queer student, I understand that we are all constantly having to come out and reassert out identities, and that this is a lifelong journey. Everyone needs a support system to embark on this journey, and we all need to be there for each other. I aspire to make the campus a more healthy place for queer students to live by offering a support system to those in need through making myself available for students who have questions, concerns, or just need someone to talk to.

Katherine
Hi! I am a junior at Tufts majoring in Peace and Justice Studies and Sociology. I am from Northern Colorado, and have been an active ally of the LGBTQ community for about 6 years. In high school, I worked with the GSA and was active in trying to help students feel more comfortable in a conservative school environment. Here at Tufts I am a member of Team Q (the LGBT Center’s peer educator group) in addition to being a Queer Peer. I am also an undergraduate intern at the LGBT Center. I love music (listening and playing), chocolate, and reading. I will answer all emails promptly, and hope to be especially helpful to allies of the community!

Maya
Hey! I'm Maya, a sophomore double majoring in Drama and Peace & Justice Studies. On campus, I'm a tour guide, a member of Essence a cappella, involved with lots of theater and music, have played soccer in various capacities, am a member of the Queer Straight Alliance (QSA), and am a member of Team Q, the LGBT Center's peer educator group. I have experienced a lot of different types of reactions to my coming out as pansexual (attraction is not dependent on the gender identity of a person), ranging from very positive to very negative. While I feel I can understand a lot of what people are going through when they come out, I also acknowledge that every person is different, and we each have our own stories to tell. It means a lot to me to be a part of Queer Peers, and I hope I can be a shoulder to lean on and an ear to lend to anyone that wants to talk about what's going on with them. I hope to hear from you soon!

Tom
I'm a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in philosophy. I am from New York, NY and spent a semester abroad in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. I am very involved with the Queer Straight Alliance (QSA), a student group focusing on queer-related campus programming. I love venturing outdoors, telling stories, and engaging in progressive politics. Queer Peers means much more to me than listening, as I strive to communicate in a way that is personal and compassionate. Come talk to me about whatever is on your mind, especially if you feel excluded by other campus mental health resources due to your sexual orientation or gender identity.