meet our team.

executive director

Dominic Le Fort

Dominic Le Fort is the founder and Executive Director of QEDU. Mr. Le Fort is a training and development professional with over eight years of experience in corporate education, program management, and instructional design. He coordinates on-going queer education programs in high schools, universities, and police academies across Southern California to promote awareness and understanding of the LGBTQ+ experience. Dominic is a first-generation Mexican-American residing in Los Angeles, California.

outreach coordinator

Bernadette Lopez

Bernadette Lopez earned her B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Northridge in 2017. Being raised by two mothers, Bernadette has always had a passion for combating LGBTQ+ prejudice and promoting acceptance. She has worked intently with disadvantaged youth for over two years, providing mentorship on gender stereotypes and the roles of women in the media. Bernadette pursues her activism with Leadership Lab at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and continues to work closely with our local communities.

content developer

Maria Garcia

Maria Celeste Garcia is currently a senior at UCLA studying Sociology with a minor in LGBTQS+ studies. She was raised in Riverside but has always spent a lot of time in Los Angeles with her extended family. Maria is helping QEDU translate their curriculum into Spanish in order to make it more accessible to the Spanish speaking communities in California. She works at Whittier Counseling Center as a Service Coordinator. Maria is also apart of the Latinx Mental Health Community Steering Committee as an Administrative Assistant.  
Maria is passionate about social justice and hopes to bring queer education to Latinx communities and create opportunities for healing for marginalized individuals. She believes in community-led activism and continues her work by educating those around her about the intersections of injustice.

researcher and speaker

Gabie Castleberry Gordon

Ryan Maganini received his B.A.​​ in Sociology from the University of California Santa Cruz, where he worked with the Queer Youth Task Force of Santa Cruz County to implement the Safe Schools Project. He is an advocate and mentor who ​​is committed to empowering the queer and trans communities. Currently, he works as an Outreach Specialist for the STOP Domestic Violence Program at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

curriculum advisor

Patrick Sales

Patrick Sales earned his B.S. in Child Development from California State University, Fullerton and is expecting to graduate with his M.S. in Special Education by the end of this year, also from CSUF. He currently works as a teacher to students with mild/moderate disabilities. Additionally, he runs after-school programs throughout the community bringing the art of musical theatre into the lives of his students. Patrick is an openly gay educator and strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. His classroom is a safe space for all.

community engagment manager

Michelle Le Fort

Michelle Deeb received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of California Berkeley. As the mother of a gay son, she has dedicated her professional career to social welfare and justice. She has participated in a number of research initiatives designed to promote understanding of the LGBTQ+ experience and explore the negative consequences of internalized homophobia/transphobia.  She currently resides in Albany, CA.