Mar Curran doesn't have much free time these days, so he rarely watches TV and or sleeps for long.
Instead, he's focused on building his resume, an impressive sight, to say the least. Curran:
—Is the co-chair of the Intercollegiate Alliance, composed of queer students from throughout Chicago, including Loyola, DePaul and other schools;
—Is a board member for the Video Action League, an activism group that uses new media to transform, inspire and educate around social-justice issues;
—Writes for "In Our Words" blog; and
—Is a noted poet, having read at All The Writers I Know, a queer literary showcase.
"I'm pretty busy these days; there's never a dull moment," Curran said. "But I'm enjoying what I'm doing."
Curran especially enjoys his role as president of the Loyola University organization Advocate, the student-run queer group on campus. Curran is one of only a few transgender students in the group, which features about 50 active members and a mailing list of about 400.
"I get to work directly with queer youth [ who are ] coming out and finding themselves; that's very rewarding," Curran said.
He also had a key role in Loyola's annual fundraising drag show to benefit Advocate.
"What I do isn't just for me or the people I know, but for future generations coming to Loyola—to make it a better, safer, more understanding school, especially since it is a Jesuit school," Curran said. "My work is very rewarding."
Curran was a presenter last February at the annual Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender College Conference, held in Michigan. Curran spoke about how to negotiate with an administration as a queer group on campus. The 2012 event will be held in Iowa; Curran doesn't know yet if he will be a presenter again.
The Advocate sells T-shirts annually as part of LGBTQ Heritage Month. Last year's shirt had the slogan "Loyola Supports Love."
THE STATS
Age
22
Lives in
Edgewater
Relationship status
The transgender Curran is single: "I'm queer, so I'm open-minded [ to date ] whoever comes along, male or female or other."
Cats
Has two, named Kiko and Sausage
College
Is a senior at Loyola University, and will graduate next May
Dream job
Working with queer youth in the foster-care system
Brotherly love
In tribute to his brother Patrick, who died as an infant 16 years ago, he had his initials ( "PJC" ) tattoed on his right bicep.
Little-known fact
Does not know how to ride a bicycle
