About Us

I strongly believe that gender should unleash the possibilities in every human instead of limiting them. As a queer & non-binary person the world often feels like it wasn't set up for me. I feel so grateful to get to spend my time at Gender Spectrum creating Online Spaces for youth, families and professionals to build community and simply not feel alone. Being outside of traditional gender norms can be exciting and energizing but also terrifying and lonely. I can't wait for a world in which Gender Spectrum is no longer needed and all kids are celebrated for who they are!

When I think about gender in my own life I recall that as a child I knew there were rules about gender but these notions didn't speak to me. I really didn't understand them and didn't know what to do with them. In contrast, it's exciting to be living in a moment in which people - especially young people - are creatively taking the lid off of gender boundaries and binaries. I truly believe that this will be a positive thing for all of us!

Gender was never a topic I felt I could explore or challenge and always tied to norms that I did not understand or agree with. That part of our identity deserves just as much exploration as any other part and every child needs to have the freedom and safe spaces to do so. I firmly believe that responsibility belongs to all of us adults, even those of us not raising our own children. I am very fortunate to be part of an organization that centers this support and well-being, especially for our trans and non-binary youth.

I was born inside my parents’ narrative of “girl” and lived that narrative for quite some time. The construction of this narrative was not malicious on their part; it was what they knew and lived. What I now know is: I am a queer, non-binary Latine person who is floating through the expansive galaxy that is gender, unlearning what I thought I knew, and embracing whatever speaks to me, radically and unapologetically. That is my narrative. My hope while at Gender Spectrum is to support others out here in this ever-expanding galaxy as they author their own stories, while also supporting the people in their lives who love and care for them. May they read their stories and embrace them as truths.

Kimmie Armstrong is an African-American pansexual, gender-queer, community organizer, creative, and educator. Growing up in Brooklyn NY, as a differently abled individual facing different facets of adversity, a passion for advocacy was sparked. Kimmie has been able to work to support the LGBTQIA BIPoC community for more than a decade. Whether it be her work outreaching and connecting folx to housing with the Ali Forney Center, their time providing folks with resources about healthcare, educational, and career resources at the Hetrick-Martin Institute, or supporting counselors doing suicide prevention and crisis intervention at the Trevor Project, Kimmie is a committed community advocate who believes in the importance of spaces that celebrate diverse gender experiences. Spaces where young people are able to explore the gender spectrum in an encouraging space free from judgment and expectations.

KJ Ward is a communications consultant, editor, content creator, and yoga teacher based in Los Angeles. He is a former two-time director of Boston GLASS Community Center and has served on Massachusetts’ Governor’s Commission on LGBTQ Youth and The Theater Offensive’s board of directors.

Kevan Anthony Barton is a seasoned social worker with over 20 years of experience working with youth and young adults in the Greater Boston area. He is currently the Director of Operations for YouthConnect, a program of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. He is the former Assistant Director for The B.R.I.D.G.E. Program, an alternative middle school in Lowell, MA. Having worked with several nonprofits over the years, he has acquired extensive leadership, management, and clinical experience. He has served on the board of directors of Zumix, a creative youth development organization in Boston. He holds a BA from Smith College and a MSW from Boston University

Julio Neira is a creative director and producer. He has worked for companies such as Hulu, Discovery Communications, Quibi and Activision. Julio was born in Colombia and moved to Miami to graduate high school. He then moved to New York City to study and work and now lives in Los Angeles with his husband and their dog Luci. Julio has helped grow the Latinx and LGBTQ+ employee resource groups within each corporation he has worked with. He is passionate about representations at all levels within our corporate structure and culture. He believes representation matters at all levels to build the most equitable future.