Queer Indigenous Communities: An introduction

Kurstie Bevelhymer-Rangel, MSW, LSW (she/her/hers) is a mixed race Indigenous queer Chicana, who is cis, mid-size, and possesses white privilege. She is passionate about providing inclusive and culturally sensitive care to individuals of all backgrounds, with a focus in serving individuals in the LBGTQIA2S+, Latine, and Indigenous communities. Kurstie received her Bachelor of Arts with Research Distinction in Psychology and her Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University. She began her career as a trauma social worker at Grant Medical Center where she worked with Victims of Crime and patients who were actively in crisis and experiencing mental health and substance use-related issues. As she transitioned out of her role as a trauma social worker, she began working with clients in private practice and developing her specialties and areas of focus/interest. Kurstie has spent the last few years incorporating her own experiences and expanding her research and knowledge base to provide education and training on Latine culture, Indigeneity, and intersections of Queer and Indigenous identities. She continues to enjoy providing education and training on self-care and rest from an anti-capitalist and anti-racist framework and perspective.