Mixner LGBTQ+
Equal Rights Fellowship

Amber is a senior International Studies major at the City College of New York. She was born in upstate New York to a working class family, and served after high school prior to enrolling at City College. With an interest in the intersection of international affairs and human rights, in particular in the Asia Pacific, Amber intends to work in non-government organizations focused on human rights after finishing her higher education. For personal interests, Amber enjoys sampling new specialty teas, improving her Japanese skills, and researching world politics.

Asher Rodriguez (He/They) is a junior Women and Gender Studies major and music minor at Hunter College. He’s a second Gen Puerto Rican, writer, LGBTQ and Special educational advocate. Asher started his journey in advocacy and policy when he was 12 years old. He advocated against the loss of land at a local community garden in The NY Times, spoke to former Mayor Bill De Blasio during his reelection campaign and sat outside the garden correcting signatures. In their senior year of high school he worked with Ashley Biden on a project at Children’s Aid Boys and Girls club. He got a group of teens together to advocate to city hall for all schools in NYC to have gender neutral bathrooms. Asher currently serves as the chair of the youth and education committee on Community Board 11 in Manhattan where he advocates for all learners in East Harlem. He also is one of the founders of the GSA at the school they work in and an alumni of. Asher is excited to participate in the Mixer LGBTQ equal rights fellow program to make the world a better place for his students and be the LGBTQ role model that he didn’t have growing up. In his free time Asher enjoys reading, solving Rubik Cubes, practicing instruments, singing and hanging out with his friends.

Catalina Ospina is a senior studying Psychology with a minor in Biology. She was born in Bogota, Colombia and moved here when was just 2 years old. She currently resides in Queens, where she has grown up most of her life. As a junior, she found her passion in public service through Circle K, an on campus community service club. Catalina has always felt accepted as a queer person in her household, and she wants others to feel the same way as she always had. She hopes to continue her career in LGTBQ+ advocacy and service. Some of her favorite hobbies include reading, watching TV shows, and exploring new spaces in NYC.

Hailing from the Bronx, Effie is a senior at CCNY who is majoring in psychology with a minor in art. Effie identifies as queer / non-binary and is the owner of Whimsity Party Co – a small business providing body painting and party rentals to New York City and neighboring areas. As a business owner, Effie knows firsthand the resilience, dedication, and hard work it takes to turn vision into reality. Aspiring to become an art therapist serving people of color and LGBTQ+ communities, they believe in the transformative power of compassion and creativity. In addition, Effie’s dream is to be of service to unhoused LGBTQ+ youth and those struggling with substance use disorder. With a heart attuned to those who feel unseen, unheard, or forgotten, Effie is determined to help build a more inclusive world firmly grounded in joy.

Fabianna Fuentes Mosqueda is a Junior at Hunter College. She started as a Studio Art major, and during her time at Hunter she decided to get a second degree in Women & Gender Studies. The reason behind this decision was due to the politically inclined nature of their artwork. Her identity as a woman, queer, Venezuelan immigrant, and a feminist are aspects that are heavily politicized. Yet, hope is still important so they try to find joy in little moments, such as spending time with their childhood dog, Brandy, as well as creating silly and fun art like zines and collages.

George Tom was born and raised in Manhattan, New York, and is a rising third-year student at the Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter College. A proud first-generation student, George is studying Political Science and Women and Gender Studies with a Certificate in Business. Having served in student government since his first year of college and explored how politics, law, and society intersect through experiences in judicial courts and American government, George understands the value of mentorship and civic engagement—both of which fuel his passion for public service. Inspired by NYC’s diverse communities, he is eager to dive deeper into LGBTQ+ civil rights work and hopes to enter the legal field to uplift marginalized communities. In his free time, George enjoys trying new food, building plastic model kits, and mentoring high school students through the college application process.

Heaven Peoples is a dedicated advocate for social justice and transformative healing within marginalized communities, especially focusing on Black and LGBTQ+ experiences. As the founder of Blaq Reunited LLC, she curates spaces for community building, expression, and dialogue that uplift Black and queer voices. Through her work with Girls for Gender Equity, Heaven has contributed to youth programming and policy advocacy, including initiatives for a police-free education system. She is currently pursuing a BA/MA in Psychology on the CASAC track at City College of New York, using her studies to deepen her impact in mental health and restorative justice. With a personal connection to criminal justice reform, Heaven seeks to dismantle systemic oppression while fostering healing and resilience within impacted communities with a focus on women and gender expansive folks.

Ivy-Rose Featherstone is a junior at the Colin Powell School studying Management and Administration with a minor in Psychology. Born and raised in Manhattan, she has a deep appreciation for the city’s fast-paced environment and diverse communities. Beyond her studies, Ivy-Rose holds a black belt in Martial Arts, a testament to her dedication, discipline, and perseverance. She is also passionate about mental health and believes in the importance of self-reflection. She enjoys journaling as a way to process thoughts and emotions, seeing it as a crucial tool for maintaining mental well-being. Ivy-Rose is excited to be part of this year’s cohort and looks forward to exchanging ideas, learning from mentors, and growing alongside her fellow participants.

Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga (Mrs. McQueen) (she/her) an 11-year resident of the City of Atlanta where she was appointed the first LGBTQ+ liaison in Atlanta, Georgia by State Representative Park Cannon of District 58 in January 2018, served in that capacity until September 2022. During her tenure, Jennifer contributed to many Atlanta political and governmental legislation like HB290, collaborated to commemorate many Georgia LGBTQ+ leaders, including Miss Lawrence Balenciaga, and helped lead many queer movements within her community—World AIDS Day events, HIV testing initiatives,Black/LGBTQ+Pride/rallies, etc. Following in her Georgia footsteps she just finished up an internship with The Manhattan Borough President’s Office on the Community Affairs Unit. Jennifer has presented at many HIV-related conferences such as NAESM and USCA, and even at congressional gatherings through AIDSWatch. The multi-awarded Barnes-Balenciaga hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and has been seen on Season 2 of POSE FX. She has been published in many distinguished publications, such as The New York Times, TEENVogue, Harvard Public Health, and VeryWellHealth to name a few. She holds numerous organizational and committee affiliations–Co-Investigator for RESPND-MI (MPX-NYC), Vice President of Cincinnati Black Pride, a Board Member for The National Center for Civil and Human Rights: LGBTQ+ Institute and a mayoral appointed Commissioner on the NYC Commission for Gender Equity. She is also a member of the illustrious House of Balenciaga, a leading institution in the House and Ballroom Scene.

Jennifer is a resident of New York City and has an Associate of Arts in Political Science from Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). Jennifer is now a Junior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Law at Baruch College.

Kalden Tsering Tsangpo is a senior at the City College of New York, where she is double-majoring in Psychology and Art with a concentration in Digital Design. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Kalden is a proud first-generation college student from a family of immigrants. Outside of academics, Kalden enjoys cultural dances and photography to connect with their heritage and explore their creativity. They hope to pursue a career that combines art and psychology to celebrate cultural diversity, promote inclusivity, and foster healing through creative expression, potentially in fields such as research or community-focused design initiatives.

Leila is a senior at Brooklyn College CUNY, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Africana studies. Born in the Bronx, she is a lifelong New Yorker of Italian and Moroccan descent. Social justice is a fundamental aspect of Leila’s life. She hopes to pursue a career that aligns with her personal values; either as a social worker, researcher, or nonprofit worker. Leila also loves to travel with her twin sister and attend Broadway shows.

Pedro is majoring in communications with a focus on AD/PR here at City College. Pedro is currently a senior at CCNY Pedro was born in Bronx, NY, and was raised in White Plains for most of his life. After living in the Bronx for a few years, Pedro and his family moved to Florida, but then relocated back to New York, where he currently resides. Pedro strives to make a change in the world in the professional world of communications and to create something that will outlive him. He is still on his path to success and continues to take one day at a time, always having hope for a brighter future.

A first-generation college student, Samantha Rodriguez is a New York native passionate about activism and social justice in her local community. While studying political science at CUNY Baruch College, Samantha found her passion for activism while interning at the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU). As a former foster child, Samantha’s experiences have inspired her drive and passion to defend other vulnerable communities. She sees the beauty in people and wants to fight to keep it alive. Samantha hopes to empower fellow foster kids and build a better community for LGBTQ+ youth.

Tasfiya (she/her) is a senior in the Honors Program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, double majoring in Critical Socio-Legal Studies and Carcerality and Abolitionist Theory through the CUNY BA program. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and is a first-generation student. As an abolitionist, she is invested in building a world beyond policing, prisons, and the racist carceral state, and working towards the liberation of all oppressed peoples. Through this fellowship, Tasfiya hopes to approach queer advocacy from an abolitionist perspective by building power, autonomy, and infrastructures of care and solidarity for queer and trans people disproportionately targeted by the criminal legal system. Following her graduation, she plans to pursue a J.D. at a law school with a strong public interest community. Ultimately, she aspires to work in public defense and align herself with the practice of movement lawyering.