Research Interests

My research interests include: non-monogamy in the queer and trans community, socialization practices in families, ally identity development, parenting, anti-racist, anti-transphobic, anti-heterosexist organizing and activism. I'm particularly interested in research with and for queer and trans BIPOC.

Biography

Shawn's goal as an academic is to create and disseminate knowledge that improves the lives of marginalized people, particularly queer and trans BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). They are committed to creating safe enough learning spaces, and believe in education as a path to justice. Shawn's research program uses queer theories and mixed methods to analyze the ways that race, sexuality, gender, class and other social locations are interrelated, negotiated, and context dependent. Their research combines queer studies, family studies, and critical race studies with an explicitly intersectional lens that interrogates power structures based on sexuality, gender identity, race, and class (among others). Shawn is a queer, non-monogamous boricua who loves animals, music, and baking.

Education

Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Master’s in Human and Community Development, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Bachelor’s in Psychology and Spanish, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Awards & Distinctions

Shawn's paper, Hegemonic Heteronormativity: Toward a New Era of Queer Family Theory (2018), was recognized as one of the top 20 most-read papers of the 2017-2018 year by the Journal of Family Theory & Review (JFTR)

Jesse Bernard Outstanding Research Proposal from a Feminist Perspective, National Council on Family Relations (2016)

Catalyst Award, LGBT Resource Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2016)

Courses

Sexual, Gender, and Reproductive Rights

Gender and Queer Theory

Methodology I

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Publications

Mendez, S.N. (2024). Multiraciality/Multiracial LGBTQ people. In A. Goldberg (ed.), Sage Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies (2nd ed.). Sage. 

Mendez, S.N. (2024). Queer of color critique. In A. Goldberg (ed.), Sage Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies (2nd ed.). Sage. 

Mendez, S.N. and Allen, S.H. (2024). Turning Theory into Practice: An Application of Queer Family Theory for Graduate Students. Feminist Pedagogy, 4(4).  

Astle, S., Rivas-Koehl, D., Rivas-Koehl, M., & Mendez, S.N. (2023). Timing the talks: Exploring children’s ages at parent‑child conversations about gender, sexual orientation, and various sexual behaviors. Sexuality Research & Social Policy.  

Mendez, S.N. (2020). Queer socialization: A case study of mixed-race lesbian, gay, and queer (LGQ) parent families. The Social Science Journal.

Mendez, S.N. (2020). Racial Socialization in Black and Mixed-Race Lesbian, Gay, and Queer (LGQ) Parent Families. In A. James (Ed.) Black Families: A Systems Approach. Cognella Academic Press.

Allen, S. & Mendez, S.N. (2018). Hegemonic heteronormativity: Toward a new era of queer family theory. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 10, 70-86.

Ferguson, G. M., Tran, S., Mendez, S. N., & van de Vijver, F. J. R. (2018). Remote acculturation: Conceptualization, measurement, and implications for health outcomes. In S. J. Schwartz, & J. B. Unger (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Acculturation and Health.

Mendez, S.N., Holman, E.G., Oswald, R.F., & Izenstark, D. (2016). Minority stress in the context of rural economic hardship: One lesbian mother’s story. Journal of GBLT Family Studies. 0(0), 1-22. 

Izenstark, D., Oswald, R.F., Holman, E.G., Mendez, S.N., & Greder, K.A. (2016). Rural, low-income mothers’ use of family based nature activities to promote family health. Journal of Leisure Research, 48(2), 134-155.