Dorian Rhea Debussy

Dorian Rhea Debussy, Ph.D. (they/them) [formerly known as Timothy R. Bussey, Ph.D.] is the associate director for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Kenyon College, where they specialize in fostering LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity on campus. 

Current Work:

They actively write about issues affecting LGBTQ+ people in the military and LGBTQ+ politics more broadly. Most recently, Rhea served as the lead author for newly updated and expanded third edition of Freedom to Serve: The Definitive Guide to LGBTQ Military Service (forthcoming; Washington, D.C.: Modern Military Association of America), which is the most comprehensive guidebook on issues affecting LGBTQ service members across all branches of the military. Passionate about accessible academic writing, Rhea frequently publishes non-academic articles on LGBTQ+ political issues. Their work has been published by The Conversation, The Associated Press, BUST Magazine, and The Gay & Lesbian Review among others. Additionally, their forthcoming book project is currently under contract with Columbia University Press.

In addition to their role with Kenyon College, Rhea also serves as the Executive Director of the Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio, which is the state’s first organization focused upon serving the asexual and aromantic community; a member of the Advisory Board for the TGNC360 Initiative of the OUT Georgia Business Alliance, which is the state’s first transgender-focused economic empowerment initiative; and a facilitator of the NCAA’s Division III LGBTQ OneTeam Program, which is the organization’s first nationwide LGBTQ+ inclusion program. Previously, they served as both the Vice President for the Board of Directors and the Acting Operational Director of the Newark Ohio Pride Coalition, which coordinates a local pride festival of roughly 1,500 annual attendees.

Research Area Keyword(s):

LGBTQ+ politics; LGBTQ+ public policy; queer history; transgender studies