Meet the Team
Need to contact us?
For general inquiries: info@qplusct.org
GSA support: gsa@qplusct.org
Q+ specific programs: programs@qplusct.org
Youth Leadership Team
Ryan
(he/him)
Hello I’m Ryan (he/him) and I work for Q Plus as a Youth Leadership Team member. I look to provide a place of true support in places like school and not just performative support.
Youth Leadership Team
Mike
(they/he)
I am Mike (they/he) and I work as a youth team member for q+. In my free time I love hanging out with friends and cats!
Youth Leadership Team
Meilani
(she/her)
Hey! My name is Meilani and I use she/her pronouns. I am a part of the Q+ Youth Leadership Team. My favorite hobby is writing and being in my backyard, enjoying nature at its finest.
Executive Director
Mel
(they/them)
HI! I'm Mel (they/them), and I'm the Director (and Founder!) of Q Plus. I oversee all of our programs and do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work to keep things running smoothly while we build and expand! You can find me at our in-person events, GSA visits and meetups, online open mics, and Online Support & Discussion Group; I'll sometimes be at Thursday game nights too!
Development Manager
Dusty
(he/him)
Dusty is a long-time advocate and educator for the queer community, providing professional development for pretty much every level of the education system from students and teachers to school boards and national school leadership organizations. He loves animals, being a nerd, and fighting the good fight.
Favorite mythical creature: Cerberus.
Favorite queer icon: Lil Nas X, Audre Lorde, Halsey
Lead Facilitator - Parent/Caregiver Groups
Ace
(he/him)
Ace Ricker has been an educator and advocate for over fifteen years. He has worked with a wide variety of organizations, religious forums, and non-profits, and has delivered diversity and inclusion workshops and materials on topics like suicide prevention, LGBTQ+ awareness, toxic masculinity and sexism, religion and spirituality and more.
Program Director
Dee
(they/it)
Dee (they/it) is the Program Director at Q Plus! When they aren't curating programming for Q Plus, they are a local performance poet and CT's poet laureate runner up. Outgoing and personable, they enjoy the outreach work they do and strive to meet new people and make new friends every day.
Favorite mythical creature: Goblins
Favorite queer icons: Pink Navel, Ela Melo, Teemu Brunila
Administrative Manager
Kim
(she/her/any)
Kim is an LGBTQ+ health educator, writer, and advocate. She is thrilled to be working with Q Plus to empower and support queer youth. In her spare time, she likes crafting and kissing cats.
Favorite mythical creature: Harpy
Favorite queer icon: Kim Petras
Outreach Manager
Norm
(he/him)
Norm is a state certified CHW (Community Health Worker) who has spent the past several years working around CT engaging populations for HIV/STI testing, syringe exchange, Narcan education and distribution, and dispensing complete, holistic sexual health education! He is now happy to be helping the Q Plus team as the Outreach Manager!
Lead Facilitator - Preteen Groups
Charlie
(they/he)
Charlie is a Lead Group Facilitator at Q Plus. They are excited to help Q Plus create spaces for queer youth to be self-empowered and find community. Charlie is an Alabama transplant, and he is proudly queer, non-binary, and trans. They are a Southern Connecticut State University graduate student pursuing master's degrees in Social Work and Women's and Gender Studies. When not working, studying, or engaging with other local LGBTQIA+ programs, Charlie can be found kissing their cat George on the head, kickboxing, or tucking into a good book.
Favorite mythical creature: Cockatrice
Favorite queer icon: Tie between Sylvester and Alok Vaid-Menon
Content Coordinator
Val
(she/her)
Hi! I’m Val (she/her) and I’m a Content Coordinator here at Q+. I have been actively involved in community organizing since 2018 and have since worked with several nonprofits and queer organizations in Connecticut. My roles have included everything from assistant event producer to social media management, and I love how rewarding each role has been. I am also an artist by trade and by nature, and I take any opportunity I can get to integrate art into whatever I’m working on. I’m excited and honored to bring my artistic vision to Q+!
Favorite mythical creature: Garden gnome
Favorite queer icon: Gene Belcher (Bob's Burgers)
GSA Coordinator/Southington and Middletown Lead Facilitator
Cole
(he/they)
Cole has been at Qplus for about two years now, working as Lead Facilitator for both our Southington and Middletown groups. He was born and raised here in Connecticut, and grew up in the public school system as an out and loud queer youth. Cole is very excited and grateful to have this opportunity to support current queer youth in our state in a way that was not so readily available in his own youth–and to be able to help elevate queer youth voices, provide them with resources, and hopefully clear the way for them to have happy school time memories to look back on.
Lead Facilitator - West Hartford
Hayden
(they/he)
Hi! I'm a queer, neurospicy pagan who loves doing activities with kids. When I'm not hanging out with Q Plus teens I am home with my two children playing games and other activities with them. I love watching kids grow into themselves and learn how to take up space in a world that wants none of that for them whether they are my own children or not.
Favorite mythical creature: Dragons and Fae
Favorite queer icon: Frida Kahlo
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Lead Facilitator - Online Group
Cade
(he/him and xe/xem/xyr)
Hi, I'm Cade! I'm a UCONN student and group facilitator for Q+, and I run Q+'s Tabletop Roleplaying Game night! When I’m not running games for Q+ or at pride events, I’m usually playing my own Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, camping, listening to podcasts, or cooking!
Lead Facilitator - North Haven
Bliss
(per/per/pers)
Bliss works with advocacy and support groups for queer and trans folks across the state. Per also relishes long hikes in the forest with goofy dogs and excellent humans.
Favorite mythical creature: Sirens
Favorite queer icon: James Baldwin
Facilitator
Mary
Bio and photo coming soon!
Lead Facilitator - Portland
Myles
(he/him)
Lead Facilitator - Preteen Groups
Cassie
(she/her/any)
Hi! My name is Cassie, I use she/her pronouns and I am a licensed master social worker and advocate! I love connecting within the LGBTQ+ community and couldn’t ask for a better gig than working with queer youth! When I'm not working you can find me listening to music or at a drag show or concert somewhere!
Favorite mythical creature: Chimera
Favorite queer icon: Shannon Beveridge
Facilitator
Tyf
(he/they)
Hi I'm Tyf! Professional goofball who enjoys hanging out in sun patches with my cat and getting all my friends to meet each other. I am very invested in community building and creating strong networks of care that are sustainable and can fight back against the systems that oppress us!
Favorite mythical creature: Dragons (that protect, not oppress!)
Favorite queer icon: Whitney Houston
Facilitator
Alasdair
(They/Them/Theirs)
Alasdair is a creative soul with a love for all things artistic! As a freelance artist and graphic designer, they bring their passion for design to every project. Alasdair is also a huge fan of Dungeons and Dragons and an absolute cat enthusiast. They’re super excited to start working with queer youth and can’t wait to make a positive impact while having fun and building connections!
Favorite mythical creature: Kelpie
Favorite queer icon: Chappell Roan and Bob the Drag Queen
Facilitator
Nick
Bio coming soon!
Facilitator
Khalifa
Bio coming soon!
Facilitator
Victoria
(She/her)
Hiii, my name is Victoria and I use she/her pronouns. I’m an huge advocate for human rights, and especially for LGBTQ+ youth. It’s important now more than ever for LGBTQ+ youth to have a safe space to be themselves, and I’m proud to be apart of it! When I’m not working, you can find me on a good hiking trail, listening to music, or cuddling with my dog and girlfriend.
Favorite mythical creature: Ogres (Shrek specifically)
Favorite Queer Icons: Chappell Roan, Whitney Houston
Facilitator
Finn
Bio coming soon!
Facilitator
Oliver
Bio coming soon!
Meet the Board
President
Dave
(he/him)
I am the president of the board of directors. I am a 4th grade special education teacher. I like to be outdoors and by the ocean as much as I can. I spend time with my cat Wally and enjoy planning social events and meeting new people.
Vice President
Norm
(he/him)
Norm is a state certified CHW (Community Health Worker) who has spent the past several years working around CT engaging populations for HIV/STI testing, syringe exchange, Narcan education and distribution, and dispensing complete, holistic sexual health education! He is now happy to be helping the Q Plus team as the Outreach Manager!
Treasurer
Alice
(she/her)
I was first a math major, then an attorney, now I am a mentor and an author of novel for kids. Along the way I got married, had two children who are now adults, and adopted a dog. I have always admired the work that Q Plus has done with queer kids, and it's an honor to now be part of the organization.
Secretary
Tobi
He/Him
I’ve been an Occupational Therapist for 21yrs as well as aneducator and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, in equality,inclusion, and belonging over the past 15 yrs. I have a goofy doggo named Gideon who brightens my day and I love any activities that get me outside! Live music is my jam and I am a huge kid at heart with loads of bad dad jokes.
Board Member
Melissa Combs
Bio coming soon!
Board Member
Erika
Bio coming soon!