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Norman Ornelas Jr.

Norman Ornelas Jr. is a PhD candidate pursuing a dual-title doctorate in Geography and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on the intersections between economics, urban policies and programs, and community building among LGBTQ+ populations. Through his dissertation work he is examining the relationship between urban economic development, tourism networks, and LGBTQ+ nightlife in Los Angeles (LA) and Mexico City.

In addition to his doctoral work, he is an ad hoc research fellow at the LA based think tank, The Gender Equity Policy Institute. By incorporating an equity lens along the lines of race, gender, and sexuality, he conducts research on social and environmental issues in California and LA. He also serves on the Board of the New York City based, Audre Lorde Project, a grassroots nonprofit that provides resource referrals and trainings for political action and community-led safety programs for LGBTQ+ people of color.

Norman holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from California State University, Long Beach. Prior to pursuing doctoral work, he was a practicing urban planner in LA for six years.

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