CUNY LGBTQI+ Hub – The City University of New York – The City University of New York

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CUNY is committed to providing educational excellence to its students while creating a diverse, inclusive atmosphere for learning. CUNY is wholeheartedly committed to supporting the LGBTQI+ student, staff and faculty population. This online hub is updated and maintained by the CUNY LGBTQI+ Council.
Established in 2021, the CUNY LGBTQI+ Student Conference is an annual event that brings together LGBTQI+ students from across CUNY who are interested in learning more about leadership and creating change on our campuses and broader communities. This year’s theme is Queer Care: Unleashing Our Power!
Friday, April 4, 2025
Bronx Community College
9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Read more
The CUNY LGBTQI+ Council is a CUNY-wide committee of faculty and staff dedicated to supporting the intersectional LGBTQI+ communities across the university system. Our mission is to ensure the visibility and inclusion of the entire spectrum of LGBTQI+ students, faculty and staff. We aim to be a collaborative resource to create connection and community, identify and troubleshoot gaps, increase representation, awareness, and equity. We are committed to leading with a social justice lens, offering support services and developing programs, events and opportunities for those who identify as LGBTQ+ or questioning. Read More
The CUNY LGBTQI+ Council consists of the following structure:
These six subcommittees meet regularly outside of the larger CUNY LGBTQI+ Council meetings to discuss issues and initiatives related to their subcommittee areas. If you have a specific question pertaining to one of the subcommittee areas, feel free to refer to the list below to find a subcommittee representative to contact.
The CUNY LGBTQI+ Council is made up of a variety of staff and faculty that each have different reporting obligations depending on their job title. Due to this variety, there are council members that are not confidential resources and may have an obligation to report Title IX violations. If you are considering reaching out to a campus representative regarding sexual misconduct, discrimination and retaliation, we strongly suggest that you either ask your council representatives to provide campus-specific confidential, private and supportive resources or refer to the resources listed under LGBTQI+ Policies, Reporting and Resources.

College: Baruch College
Job Title: Supervising Psychologist, Counseling Center
Pronouns: He/Him/His
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Mental Health, Wellness & Security
Phone: 646-312-2158
Email: gary.dillon@baruch.cuny.edu
  Read More
Dr. Dillon is a NYS licensed psychologist whose areas of expertise involve social justice and advocacy, implicit bias and microaggressions, and multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion – all of which inform his sensitive, curious, collaborative, and conscientious approach to therapy. He has published and presented his research focusing on understanding the unique lived experiences of marginalized populations, such as those who are of color, undocumented, or self-identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Dr. Dillon is currently working at Baruch College as a Supervising Psychologist, providing individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, supervision, psychoeducational workshops and outreach service. Additionally, Dr. Dillon serves as the Baruch Representative on the LGBTQI+ CUNY Council and is on the Council’s Mental Health & Wellness subcommittee.

College: Baruch College
Job Title: Associate Director of Operations, Division of Student Affairs
Pronouns: He/Him/His
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: SafeZone Trainings/LGBTQI+ Centers
Phone: 646-312-4552
Email: richard.suarez@baruch.cuny.edu
College: Borough of Manhattan Community College
Job Title: Dean for Student Affairs
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Phone: 212-220-8130
Email: mhutmaker@bmcc.cuny.edu
College: Borough of Manhattan Community College
Job Title: Assistant Professor of Academic Literacy & Linguistics
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Phone: 212-220-1420
Email: bkelley@bmcc.cuny.edu
College: Borough of Manhattan Community College
Job Title: Associate Professor of Health Education
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: SafeZone Trainings/LGBTQI+ Centers
Phone: 212-776-6673
Email: yshneyderman@bmcc.cuny.edu
College: Borough of Manhattan Community College
Job Title: Manager, Center for Belonging and Inclusion
Phone: 212-220-8166
Email: cerivera@bmcc.cuny.edu

College: Bronx Community College
Job Title: Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Social Sciences & Director of the LGBTQI+ Resource Room, Office of Student Life
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Co-Chair of Council
Pronouns: All (no preference)
Email: Emalinda.McSpadden@bcc.cuny.edu
Office: 718-289-5100 x3028
Resource Room: 718-289-5300
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Emalinda L. McSpadden is an assistant professor of psychology and the coordinator of the LGBTQI+ Resource Room at Bronx Community College, CUNY. She is also a co-director of the Peer Support and Career Development Program for future mental health professionals, and coordinator of the Collective for Urban Student Research, both regularly coordinating with the LGBTQI+ Resource Room. Her research interests include creating campus-based clinical, academic, and professional development support programming for students in urban settings, with a specific focus on issues and experiences among LGBTQI+ college students of color.
College: Bronx Community College
Job Title: Academic and Transfer Resources Coordinator, Office of Transfer Services
Pronouns: He/Him/They
Phone: 917-574-5425
Email: edwin.roman@bcc.cuny.edu
College: Brooklyn College
Job Title: Director, LGBTQ+ Resource Center
Pronouns: She/Her/They
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Gender/Name Policies & Information Systems
Phone: 718-951-5739
Email: kelly.spivey10@brooklyn.cuny.edu Read More
Kelly Spivey is honored to serve as the current director of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center at Brooklyn College which was founded in 2014. Kelly was chair of the LGBTQ+ Resource Committee during Covid and co-chair of the campus LGBTQ+ Staff and Faculty group. The Resource Committee oversaw the successful campaign to ensure every building on campus provide a multi-stall all-gender restroom in 2021. The committee also worked with administration to hire a full-time center director in 2022. They serve on several committees at Brooklyn College and continue to serve on the LGBTQ+ Resource Committee which works on campus-wide LGBTQIA+ issues. She is an advisor to the LGBTA student club, one of the oldest university LGBTQ+ clubs in the nation.
College: Brooklyn College
Job Title: Student Psychological Counselor, Personal Counseling & Adjunct Lecturer, Mental Health Counseling
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Phone: 646-572-6150
Email: Andy.Hale@brooklyn.cuny.edu
College: The City College of New York
Job Title: Gender Resources Social Worker
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Gender/Name Policies
Phone: 212-650-8222
Email: jsalcedo@ccny.cuny.edu

College: The City College of New York
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Email: yfelberseligman@ccny.cuny.edu
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Yaari Felber-Seligman (pronouns they/them), PhD, is an assistant professor at City College of New York. Their research and teaching interests include early African, comparative world, LGBTQIA+, and gender history along with a focus on non-documentary sources. With support from a 2019 National Endowment for the Humanities Award for Faculty, they are revising their book manuscript, Crafting New Economies: Inland Trade in Central East Africa. It contributes a longue durée history of how inland African resource specialists, artisans, and small-scale traders significantly shaped the evolution of trade networks and elements of regional culture in the pre-1700s. Their next project will explore understandings of gender diversity in early Africa. Felber-Seligman has published articles in African Arts, History in Africa, and the International Journal of Historical Studies. They are always happy to hear from students and may be reached at yfelberseligman@ccny.cuny.edu.

College: The City College of New York
Job Title: Associate Director, CCNY LGBTQ+ Student Center
Pronouns: He/Him
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Outreach & Online Presence
Phone: 212-650-6937
Email: jnill@ccny.cuny.edu
College: CLAGS: Center for LGBTQ Studies
Job Title: Executive Director, CLAGS & Professor of Queer Studies, CSI & CUNY Graduate Center
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Phone: 718-982-3645
Email: Matt.Brim@csi.cuny.edu

College: College of Staten Island
Job Title: LGBTQ Resource Center/Pluralism & Diversity Coordinator
Pronouns: He/Him/His
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: SafeZone Trainings/LGBTQI+ Centers
Phone (LGBTQ Center): 718-982-3091
Email: Jeremiah.Jurkiewicz@csi.cuny.edu Read More
Jeremiah Jurkiewicz is proud to serve College of Staten Island’s LGBTQ+ and all diverse students with the Office of Student Life. Jeremiah is a Baltimore native who moved to NYC because of CUNY in 2008. He immediately fell in love with the diverse community that his campus had to offer. Along with other students in the Gay Straight Alliance, he advocated for the creation of an LGBTQ Resource Center on campus to support students. They were successful in their endeavor and CSI opened CUNY’s first LGBTQ Resource Center in Spring 2012. Jeremiah graduated with a bachelor degree in dramatic arts in 2012 and brings the passion and understanding he learned to everything he does. He has been managing the LGBTQ Resource Center since 2013 and has loved every moment. Jeremiah strives to empower students to reach for their goals, make change happen, and care for one another. Create the world you want to see!

College: College of Staten Island
Job Title: Associate Professor of English
Pronouns: He/Him/His
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: CUNY LGBTQI+ Student Conference
Phone: 718-982-3689
Email: sohomjit.ray@csi.cuny.edu
College: Central Office
Job Title: Student Inclusion Initiatives
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 646-664-8233
Email: carrie.shockley@cuny.edu
College: Central Office
Job Title: University Student Engagement Programs Manager, Student Inclusion Initiatives
Pronouns: She/Her, They/Them
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Outreach & Online Presence
Phone: 646-664-8809
Email: christina.chala@cuny.edu
  Read More
Christina Chala is a social justice educator committed to creating transformative educational spaces and experiences. They currently work in the CUNY Office of Student Inclusion Initiatives. Chala earned her B.A. in women’s studies with a minor in LGBT studies from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and her M.A. in higher education/student affairs from New York University. Prior to moving to New York, Christina worked with the UCLA Center for Community College Partnerships. Her research interests include examining the role intersectionality plays in supporting students with multiple community identities, promoting access and excellence for underrepresented and underserved student populations, and best practices for creating safe and healthy community spaces.
College: Central Office
Job Title: Social Media Manager, Communications and Marketing
Pronouns: She/Her, They/Them
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Outreach & Online Presence
Phone: 646-664-9301
Email: sarah.morgano@cuny.edu
College: Central Office
Job Title: Ambassador Coordinator, CUNY Black Male Initiative
Pronouns: He/Him/El
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Mental Health, Wellness & Security; CUNY LGBTQI+ Student Conference
Phone: 646-664-8787
Email: Diego.Ortega@cuny.edu
College: CUNY Graduate Center
Job Title: Interim Head of Reference, Mina Rees Library
Pronouns: They/Them
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Gender/Name Policies & Information Systems
Email: Ebakaitis@gc.cuny.edu
College: CUNY Graduate Center
Job Title: Associate Registrar, Student Services
Pronouns: She/Her/Elle
Phone: 212-817-7507
Email: arolland@gc.cuny.edu

College: CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
Job Title: Associate Professor, Community Health and Social Sciences
Pronouns: She/They
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Mental Health, Wellness & Security
Email: spring.cooper@sph.cuny.edu
College: CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
Job Title: Student Life Coordinator, Student Affairs
Pronouns: He/Him/His
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Outreach & Online Presence
Phone: 917-612-0931
Email: james.warren@sph.cuny.edu

College: CUNY School of Professional Studies
Job Title: Assistant Professor of Nursing
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 973-865-9131
Email: jan.oosting@cuny.edu

College: CUNY School of Professional Studies
Job Title: Student Development and Leadership Coordinator, Office of Student Life
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Phone: 646-664-8627
Email: reshma.jaigobin@cuny.edu

College: CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies
Job Title: Academic Program Specialist
Pronouns: He/Him/His
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Gender/Name Policies & Information Systems
Email: kevin.simmons@slu.cuny.edu
  Read More
Kevin Simmons is an Academic Program Specialist at CUNY-SLU and is one of the school’s LGBTQI+ allies.

College: CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies
Job Title: Head of Internships and Experiential Learning, Academic Affairs
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Mental Health, Wellness & Security
Phone: 646-313-8359
Email: anna.zak@slu.cuny.edu

College: CUNY School of Law
Job Title: Assistant Director of Outreach and Systems Operations
Pronouns: She/Her
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Gender/Name Policies & Information Systems
Phone: 718-340-4631
Email: bibi.amin@law.cuny.edu

College: CUNY School of Law
Job Title: Administrative Coordinator, Main Street Legal Services
Pronouns: She/Her
Phone: 718-340-4154
Email: denise.rojas@law.cuny.edu
College: Guttman Community College
Job Tilte: Associate Director of Academic Technology, Office of Academic Affairs
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Phone: 646-313-8189
Email: christopher.roth@guttman.cuny.edu
College: Guttman Community College
Job Tilte: Associate Director of the Connect Center, Student Affairs
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 646-313-8064
Email: dana.lepage@guttman.cuny.edu
College: Hostos Community College
Job Title: Assistant Professor of English
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Phone: 718-518-6865
Email: crice-gonzalez@hostos.cuny.edu
College: Hostos Community College
Job Title: Academic Advisor, CUNY Start
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Mental Health, Wellness & Security
Phone: 718-518-2708
Email: rcholst@hostos.cuny.edu
College: Hunter College
Job Title: Student Psychological Counselor and Health Educator, Counseling and Wellness Services
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Outreach & Online Presence
Phone: 212-772-4925, 212-650-3397
Email: anika.seidman-gati@hunter.cuny.edu
College: Hunter College
Job Title: Director of Student Life
Phone: 212-772-4916
Email: ms177@hunter.cuny.edu
College: Hunter College
Job Title: LGBTQ+ Community Space Steward/Program Coordinator
Pronouns: Flexible (She/They/He)
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Gender/Name Policies, & Information Systems
Email: tl4232@hunter.cuny.edu
College: John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Job Title: Administrative Events Specialist, Theater & Events Support Services
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: SafeZone Trainings/LGBTQI+Centers
Phone: 212-237-8739
Email: domendez@jjay.cuny.edu

College: John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Job Title: Assistant Director of LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Gender/Name Policies & Information Systems
Phone: 212-484-1305
Email: Micgarcia@jjay.cuny.edu
College: Kingsborough Community College
Job Title: Assistant Director of Student Life
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Email: Raquel.Torres@kbcc.cuny.edu
Phone: 718-368-5597
College: Kingsborough Community College
Job Title: Dean of Faculty & Professor of Speech Communication
Pronouns: He/Him (Eng) Il/Lui (Fr)
Phone: 718-368-6634
Email: Gordon.Young@kbcc.cuny.edu

College: Kingsborough Community College
Job Title: Lecturer, Department of Behavioral Sciences
Pronouns: He/Him/His/El
Email: Arturo.EnamoradoIII@kbcc.cuny.edu


College: LaGuardia Community College
Job Title: Director, Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Hub
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Mental Health, Wellness & Security
Phone: 718-482-5179
Email: dbayrakdar@lagcc.cuny.edu
College: LaGuardia Community College
Job Title: Program Assistant, Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Hub
Pronouns: He/Him/His
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Mental Health, Wellness & Security, and Gender/Name Policies & Information Systems
Phone: 718-482-5188 Ext. 8953
Email: Landon.Ranchor32@lagcc.cuny.edu
College: Lehman College
Job Title: Lecturer
Pronouns: He/Him
Phone: 908-948-8055
Email: matthewfryecastillo@gmail.com
College: Lehman College
Job Title: Director, Health and Wellness Services
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 718-960-2415
Email: ashmini.hiralall@lehman.cuny.edu
College: Lehman College
Job Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Sciences and Recreation
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Gender/Name Policies
Email: douglas.oberlin@lehman.cuny.edu
College: LGBTQ+ Policy Center at Roosevelt House
Job Title: Director of LGBTQ Policy Center, Roosevelt House & Assistant Professor of Political Science, Hunter College
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: erin.mayo-adam@hunter.cuny.edu
Phone: 212-772-5505 (email preferred)
College: Macaulay Honors College
Job Title: Assistant Director, Student Development
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 212-729-2946
Email: Eileen.Makak@mhc.cuny.edu
College: Macaulay Honors College
Job Title: Director of Academic Affairs
Phone: 212-729-2936
Email: lisa.brundage@mhc.cuny.edu
Macaulay Student Name Change Policies & Checklist
College: Medgar Evers College
Job Title: Assistant Director, Women’s Center
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 718-270-6940
Email: levelyn@MEC.CUNY.EDU
College: Medgar Evers College
Job Title: Assistant Professor of English
Phone: 718-270-4912
Email: dholnes@mec.cuny.edu

College: New York City College of Technology
Job Title: Chairperson, Department of Social Science & Associate Professor of Psychology
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Phone: 718-260-5080
Email: erodriguez@citytech.cuny.edu
College: New York City College of Technology
Job Title: CUNY Office Assistant, English/ESOL Program
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: SafeZone Trainings/LGBTQI+ Centers
Phone: 718-260-5208
Email: BDuran@citytech.cuny.edu

College: Queens College
Job Title: Associate Professor of Counselor Education, Department of Educational and Community Programs & Founding Director of the CUNY LGBTQI+ Student Leadership Program
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Co-Chair of Council
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Email: David.Rivera@qc.cuny.edu
  Read More
David P. Rivera, Ph.D., is an associate professor of counselor education at Queens College-City University of New York (CUNY) and founding director of CUNY’s LGBTQI+ Student Leadership Program. He received his doctorate in counseling psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. He also holds degrees in psychology and counseling from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Wyoming. A counseling psychologist by training, his professional experience includes college counseling and higher education administration. His practical work also includes consultations on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Rivera has worked at a variety of institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, Prince George’s Community College, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, and the Addiction Institute of New York. Dr. Rivera’s research focuses on cultural competency development and issues impacting the marginalization and wellbeing of people of color and oppressed sexual orientation and gender identity groups, with a focus on microaggressions. He has published journal articles and book chapters in various areas of multicultural psychology and social justice, and his co-edited book, Microaggression Theory: Influence and Implications, was released 2019. Dr. Rivera is adviser to The Steve Fund, faculty with the Council for Opportunity in Education, and holds leadership roles in the American Psychological Association. He has received multiple recognitions for his work from the American Psychological Association, the American College Counseling Association, and the American College Personnel Association.

College: Queens College
Job Title: Student Life Events Manager, LGBTQIAA+ Programs Coordinator & Associate Director, CUNY LGBTQI+ Consortium
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: SafeZone Trainings/LGBTQI+ Centers
Phone: 917-659-2646
Email: JC.Carlson@qc.cuny.edu
College: Queens College
Job Title: Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Mental Health, Wellness & Security
Email: Sonal.Soni@qc.cuny.edu

College: Queensborough Community College
Job Title: Assistant Professor, English
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 718-631-5367
Email: aatik@qcc.cuny.edu

College: Queensborough Community College
Job Title: Assistant Professor, English
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Mental Health, Wellness & Security
Email: rford@qcc.cuny.edu
  Read More
Dr. Robin R. Ford is an Assistant Professor of English at Queensborough Community College, City University of New York. She is a queer, black, woman, whose scholarship is both academic and personal, focusing on critical literacy, intersectionality, social justice, and critical interrogation of the spaces we occupy. She has been published in Salon.com, the Kenyon Review, The Conversant and appeared on NPR’s “On Point, with Tom Ashbrook.

College: Queensborough Community College
Job Title: Assistant Professor, History
Pronouns: He, Him, His
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Gender/Name Policies & Information Systems
Phone: 718-631-6645
Email: chall@qcc.cuny.edu
College: Queensborough Community College
Job Title: LGBTQI+ Specialist
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Phone: 718-631-6683
Email: lamar.greene@qcc.cuny.edu
College: York College
Job Title: Director of Student Disability Services
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 718-262-2274
Email: ctownsell@york.cuny.edu
College: York College
Job Title: Student Life Specialist, Women’s Center for Gender Justice/Student Resources
Pronouns: She/They
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Safe Zone Trainings/LGBTQ Centers
Phone: 718-262-2941
The City University of New York is committed to providing educational excellence to its students while creating a diverse, inclusive atmosphere for learning. In Student Affairs, we are dedicated to assuring this inclusive atmosphere for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex communities and others whose identification extends beyond these borders.
 
The City University of New York (“CUNY”) is committed to addressing sexual misconduct, discrimination, and retaliation reports promptly, consistently, and fairly. There are various reporting options as well as supportive and confidential resources available on your campus to help you navigate sexual misconduct, discrimination, and retaliation.
On each CUNY campus there is a person, known as the Title IX Coordinator, who has special training in helping students who are facing issues related to sexual harassment and assault. Please refer to the CUNY Title IX website to see the list of Title IX Coordinators. This website also includes each campus’ webpages for more campus-specific information. Please note that for some CUNY colleges, the Title IX Coordinator is also the Chief Diversity Officer.
Your college’s Title IX office can move forward on an investigation without cooperation from the student. However, it is very difficult to prove a case without a cooperative complainant. Please see CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Section III (N):
Title IX Formal Complaint is a document filed by a complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging Title IX Sexual Harassment against a respondent and requesting that the college investigate the allegations. The Title IX Coordinator may sign a Title IX Formal Complaint with or without a complainant’s desire to participate in a grievance process.
 
Section 5 of this policy, Important Information About Reporting/Confidentiality Obligations of College and CUNY Employees, has all the pertinent information regarding what college employees must report.
There are various employees and departments throughout CUNY that offer a safe and confidential environment for you to discuss your concerns. As such, everything you share with these supportive individuals and services is confidential. Information will never be shared with anyone without your written permission. However, there are a few exceptions to confidentiality guidelines, and these apply to any health or mental health treatment center in New York State. Legal exceptions to confidentiality include:
Please see the links below to help you find confidential and supportive services on your campus. Note that each campus has varying names and departments for these resources. Contact these resources to learn about more resources available to you at your CUNY college.
CUNY offers programs specifically tailored to support its LGBTQI+ students and allies by providing them with career engagement opportunities and leadership skill development. These programs benefit from both the CUNY LGBTQI+ Council and the University’s LGBTQI+ Advisory Council.
The CUNY LGBTQI+ Council is made up of staff and faculty representatives from all 25 CUNY colleges. Programs connected through the CUNY LGBTQI+ Council engages the next generation of LGBTQI+ leaders through a variety of social justice training, personal development, community engagement, experiential, mentoring, and social networking activities.
​The LGBTQI+ Advisory Council is an external group of leaders connecting CUNY’s LGBTQI+ and allied students to New York City’s various resources and opportunities by leading and supporting various programs. The group is led by philanthropist Mitch Draizin, founder and president of the Concordia Philanthropic Fund and a long-time champion of CUNY’s LGBTQI+ community.
Throughout CUNY, there are plenty of LGBTQI+ clubs, organizations, and chapters to be a part of! These student LGBTQI+ groups bring together LGBTQI+, questioning, and allied peers through community-based activities, actions, campaigns, social advocacy, education, friendships, and fun. As with many CUNY student groups, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused several LGBTQI+ student groups to cease operations. While there are still active LGBTQI+ student groups across CUNY, many are in the process of revival or are in need of revival. Check out what student LGBTQI+ groups are on your campus below.
If your college is not listed below, it either has not yet established an LGBTQI+ Student Group or has one that needs help reviving. Please reach out to your college’s CUNY LGBTQI+ Council representatives to see how you can get started on your campus!
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Gender Love and Sexuality Spectrum (GLASS)
Email: TBA
Social Media: Instagram @baruchglass_
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Jan Martinez – jan.martinez@baruch.cuny.edu​
Meeting Details: Every Thursday 12:40-2:20 p.m. in NVC Room 8-150
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Rainbow Panthers Club
Email: TBA
Social Media: TBA
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Yuliya Shneyderman – yshneyderman@bmcc.cuny.edu​
Meeting Details: Chambers Building Room S-340; virtual meetings every Wednesday 2 p.m. (email the advisor for details)
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Rainbow Alliance, QueerLit Book Club, The Agenda (Queer Art Club), and Black & Queer
Email: lgbtqi@bcc.cuny.edu
Social Media: TBA
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Edwin Roman – edwin.roman@bcc.cuny.edu
Meeting Details: LGBTQI+ Resource Room (Roscoe Brown Student Center Room 312)
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance (LGBTA)
Email: TBA
Social Media: Instagram @brooklyn.lgbta
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Kelly Spivey – lgbtqcenter@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Meeting Details: Student Center Room 221
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: LGBTQ+ Open Alliance Club
Email: saga@gtest.ccny.cuny.edu
Social Media: Instagram @ccny_open_alliance_club
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Jake Nill – jnill@ccny.cuny.edu
Meeting Details: Every other Thursday 12:30-2 PM in the LGBTQ+ Student Center (NAC 1/101B)
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: QUNY
Email: info@clags.org
Social Media: TBA
Staff/Faculty Advisor: TBA
Meeting Details: TBA
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: CUNY SPH LGBTQ+ Association
Email: lgbtq+@sph.cuny.edu
Social Media: TBA
Staff/Faculty Advisor: TBA
Meeting Details: TBA
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Pride Club
Email: TBA
Social Media: Instagram @sps_prideclub
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Jan Oosting – jan.oosting@cuny.edu
Meeting Details: TBA
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: OUTLaws
Email: TBA
Social Media: Instagram @cunyoutlaws
Staff/Faculty Advisor: TBA​
Meeting Details: TBA – Join Listserv
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Stonewall Club
Email: TBA
Social Media: TBA
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Christopher Roth – ChristopherRoth@guttman.cuny.edu
Meeting Details: TBA
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Rainbow Club
Email: Fill out the Club Interest Form
Social Media: TBA
Staff/Faculty Advisor: TBA
Meeting Details: TBA
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Queer Student Union
Email: queerstudentunionHC@gmail.com
Social Media: Instagram @hunterqsu
Staff/Faculty Advisor: TBA
Meeting Details: TBA
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: JJ Spectra
Email: jjspectra@jjay.cuny.edu
Social Media: Instagram @jjspectra
Staff/Faculty Advisor: TBA
Meeting Details: TBA
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Queer and Fierce (Queer AF)
Email: TBA
Social Media: TBA
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Nathan Tosh – ntosh@lagcc.cuny.edu
Meeting Details: Thursdays 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM in MB-68
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Crystal Queer
Email: TBA
Social Media: Instagram @lehmancrystalqueer
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Matthew Frye-Castillo – matt.caprioli@lehman.cuny.edu and Benjamin Holtzman – benjamin.holtzman@lehman.cuny.edu
Meeting Details: Every first and third Monday of the month
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Macaulay Queer Alliance
Email: queeralliance@macaulay.cuny.edu
Social Media: Instagram @macaulaylgbt
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Eileen Makak – Eileen.Makak@mhc.cuny.edu
Meeting Details: TBA
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Crystal Queer
Email: TBA
Social Media: TBA
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Christina Chala – CChala@mec.cuny.edu
Meeting Details: TBA
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: PRIDE Club
Email: TBA
Social Media: Instagram @citytechpride
Staff/Faculty Advisor: Laura Westengard – laura.westengard25@login.cuny.edu
Meeting Details: Thursdays 12:45-2 p.m. in Namm 1017
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Gender, Love, and Sexuality Alliance (GLASA)
Email: TBA
Social Media: Instagram @qcglasa
Staff/Faculty Advisor: TBA
Meeting Details: TBA
LGBTQI+ Student Group Name: Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club
Email: TBA
Social Media: Instagram @saga_york
Staff/Faculty Advisor: TBA
Meeting Details: TBA
A chosen name (referred to in CUNY policy as a preferred name) is a name that a person uses which is different from the one on the person’s legal records. There are many reasons a person may use a chosen name, including to reflect their gender identity or to go by a more familiar nickname.
CUNY policy allows you to update your chosen first and middle name as well as your gender at your discretion, without documentation. Unless noted, your chosen name will be displayed (with your legal last name) on CUNYfirst, Blackboard and course rosters. You can also update your student ID card, email address and Zoom display name.
Colleges may use a chosen name on all documents and records except for certain official documents like transcripts, where a legal name change is required to update.
You may also submit the CUNY Preferred Name Request Form to your college registrar’s office.
Note: To update your legal name (including corrections to a typographical or spelling error), request a Personal Data Change Request Form from your college’s registrar’s office.
You may also complete the CUNY Gender Change Form and submit it to your college registrar’s office.
Note for Students: Updating your gender may create data mismatches if you have applied for federal financial aid using a different gender. If you update your gender, contact your college’s financial aid office to inform them of the update.
In short, use someone’s chosen name whenever possible. This includes:
If you have access to a student or colleague’s legal name, treat this as confidential data and limit usage to specific circumstances where a legal name is required (e.g. for a background check or when dealing with financial records.)
Note: In certain circumstances, it may be unclear whether a person would prefer you use their chosen name versus their legal name (e.g. when contacting a family member or writing a letter of recommendation). If you are not sure, privately ask the person what they would prefer.
CUNY students are entitled to a free updated ID card to reflect their name, without a legal name change! Your preferred name must be updated in CUNYfirst.
Contact your college’s Public Safety department or photo ID card services office to request a new card.
Your preferred name must be updated in CUNYfirst. Once done, you can contact your college’s IT department and request your student email address reflect the update.
During a meeting, you can click the three dots next to your screen and choose “Rename”. Update the display name to reflect your chosen name and pronouns.
As of 2024, students, faculty and staff are now able to update their pronoun information themselves in CUNYfirst:
If you have any issues with making these changes or if you do not see them reflected after a week, please contact your college’s CUNY LGBTQI+ Council representative and registrar’s office.
LGBTQI+ Centers are places where LGBTQI+, questioning, and allied students, staff, and faculty are able to connect with LGBTQI+ affirming resources and build strong community. Throughout CUNY, there are various LGBTQI+ Centers, these include resource centers, academic/policy centers, student centers, hubs, and much more! Not every CUNY college has an LGBTQI+ Center but those that are open welcome folks from all CUNY schools. With that said, more LGBTQI+ Centers are opening up throughout CUNY! Please see the current list of CUNY LGBTQI+ Centers below.

The BMCC Pride Center (PC) is a new area under the pilot program called the Social Justice & Equity Centers at BMCC. We foster a supportive environment for all students, faculty, and staff focusing on the experiences and identities withing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQIA+) community. The Pride Center offers events, programs and services focused on supporting and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community, and the role of allies. Our goal is to educate the BMCC community on inclusion, allyship, and intersectionality. All students are welcome to participate regardless of orientation, sex, gender, or expression.
Learn more about the BMCC Pride Center
The LGBTQI+ Resource Room at Bronx Community College works to foster an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. The Resource Room aims to sustain visibility and a sense of community by providing LGBTQI+ education, programming, and support services on campus.
Learn more about the BCC LGBTQI+ Resource Room
The LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning) Resource Center is both a welcoming space and supportive network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual and/or ally (LGBTQIA) students, staff and faculty at Brooklyn College.
Learn more about the Brooklyn College LGBTQ Resource Center
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Student Center is a collaborative resource dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and supporting LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty at The City College of New York.
Learn more about The City College of New York LGBTQ+ Student Center

The LGBTQ Center embraces the diversity of the CSI community and provides resources and programs for campus members who want to learn more about and advocate for LGBTQ issues.
Learn more about the CSI LGBTQ Resource Center
The Office of Student Affairs is happy to announce that the LGBTQ+ Student Resource Center (Room 503) is now open for you to enjoy!
Stop by during open hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3pm – 6pm to relax, study, access valuable resources, and connect with fellow CUNY SPH students in a welcoming and inclusive space. On those days, there will be a LGBTQ+ Resource Ambassador available to orient you to the center and answer any questions. We invite you to use this space as a place to recharge, find community, and celebrate diversity.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ+) Student Resource Center is a collaborative initiative dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and supporting LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty at CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy. The center provides students with relevant programming, and support navigating graduate and post graduate school life.
The LGBTQ+ Student Resource Center is dedicated to increasing awareness about LGBTQ+ issues, gender, and sexuality, while providing a safe and affirming space for all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.
The space is available and open to all CUNY SPH students.
Learn more about the SPH LGBTQ+ Student Resource Center.

The Center for LGBTQ Studies (CLAGS), located at the City University of New York, Graduate Center, was founded in 1991 and is the first university-based research center in the United States dedicated to the study of historical, cultural, and political issues of vital concern to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals and communities.
Learn more about the Center for LGBTQ Studies (CLAGS)

We are the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, housed under the LaGuardia & Wagner Archives, and we are changing the face of CUNY and NYC. Our mission is not only to preserve LGBTQIA+ history, but to make it! We facilitate the archiving of LGBTQIA+ history across New York, and we support LGBTQIA+ training, education, and programming. The CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium began in the borough of Queens in 2017, and since that time we have expanded across all 5 boroughs. Currently there are 14 participating campuses, but we are still growing!
Learn more about the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium

The LGBTQ Policy Center at Roosevelt House provides educational and enrichment opportunities for students interested in LGBTQ studies, develops public programs on LGBTQ politics and policy for the broader community, and creates bridges between researchers and policymakers who are invested in advancing LGBTQ rights. The mission of the center is to support research on LGBTQ issues to inform policy decisions; to disseminate findings to inform public opinion and promote LGBTQ social, health, and political equity; and to provide academic training and practicum opportunities for Hunter College students in LGBTQ studies.
Learn more about the LGBTQ Policy Center at the Roosevelt House

Stay tuned for more details!

The LGBTQ+ Resource Center is a student-centered campus resource that provides an open, safe and inclusive space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students as well as students whose identities fall in-between or expand beyond these categories. The Center builds community, awareness, and knowledge; provides leadership development, educational and social programs; and advocates for students, promotes research and offers resources.
Learn more about the John Jay College of Criminal Justice LGBTQ+ Resource Center

The Women’s Center & LGBTQ+ Hub is a collaborative resource for celebrating the experiences, identities and expressions of LGBTQIA students, faculty and staff as well as increasing awareness about LGBTQIA issues, gender and sexuality at LaGuardia. We are committed to leading with a social justice lens, offering support services and developing programs, events and opportunities for those who identify as LGBTQ+ or questioning. Whether you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, questioning or an ally, you are welcome here.
Learn more about the LaGuardia Community College Women’s Center & LGBTQ+ Hub
Stay tuned for more details!
It’s an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to learn about the LGBTQI+ community through terminology, self-examination, discussion, and best practices. It teaches about some of the many struggles faced by the LGBTQI+ community and how we might better foster inclusion.
If you are interested in learning more about Safe Zone Trainings or setting up a training for your department or student organization please reach out to your campus contact.
4th Annual CUNY LGBTQI+ Student Conference
Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Established in 2021, the CUNY LGBTQI+ Student Conference is an annual event that brings together LGBTQI+ students from across CUNY who are interested in learning more about leadership and creating change on our campuses and broader communities. Hosted this year at Bronx Community College. This year’s theme is Queer Care: Unleashing Our Power!
Here’s the link to RSVP
Established in 2021, the CUNY LGBTQI+ Student Conference is an annual event that brings together LGBTQI+ students from across CUNY who are interested in learning more about leadership and creating change on our campuses and broader communities.
What does leadership for social change look like? What does an inclusive CUNY look like? This FREE conference encompasses food, workshops, a resource fair, a keynote address, and most importantly, bringing together queer & trans students, faculty and staff, and allies. This conference is held at a new CUNY college every year. Reach out to your CUNY LGBTQI+ Council representatives for more information on this conference and how to get involved!
Yes, CUNY students can request to join groups on other CUNY campuses. However, it is up to the discretion of that campus whether to permit.
Yes, CUNY students with their CUNY ID can visit another campus’ LGBTQI+ physical space.
If you have a question, concern, issue, or would like to request co-sponsorship on an event, see the contact section to find your CUNY campus staff/faculty representative on the CUNY LGBTQI+ Council. The Council plans to host a variety of events throughout the year – these will be featured on this website and in CUNY Communications.
CUNY policy allows you to update your chosen/preferred first and middle name as well as your gender at your discretion, without documentation. Unless noted, your chosen/preferred name will be displayed (with your legal last name) on CUNYfirst, Blackboard and course rosters. You can also update your student ID card, email address and Zoom display name. Read more about CUNY policies and procedures and how to update your information.
Students are able to use CUNYfirst self-service to select a preferred first and middle name. Follow the following steps:
Please note that this will only change your name on CUNYfirst, it is not a legal name change. After making this update, your preferred name will also be shown on class rosters and Blackboard.
CUNY students, staff, and faculty can update their gender identity information on CUNYfirst or through their campus’ Registrar’s Office (students only).
Find instructions on updating your gender identity information in the Update Your Gender section of this page.
For Students: Please be aware that changing your gender in CUNYfirst may cause a mismatch if you are a recipient of federal financial aid. You are advised to contact the financial aid office to discuss further. In addition, you are advised to contact the Social Security Administration, to prevent any problems with data mismatches between that agency’s records and the information on file with the U.S. Department of Education, which administers federal student aid programs. While CUNY does not require documentation of gender identity, there may be documentation requirements at these agencies. In addition, because gender is a shared field for students and employees in CUNYfirst, a change in gender for students who are also employees will automatically change their gender in their employee record.
CUNY policy states colleges must replace student identification cards to reflect a preferred name without cost to the student.
Please note that the CUNY LGBTQI+ Council is made up of a variety of staff and faculty that each have different reporting obligations depending on their job title. Due to this variety, there are Council members that are not confidential resources and may have an obligation to report Title IX violations. If you are considering reaching out to a campus representative regarding sexual misconduct, discrimination, and retaliation, we strongly suggest that you either ask your council representatives to provide campus-specific confidential and supportive resources or refer to the resources listed under LGBTQI+ Policies, Reporting, and Resources.
There are many ways to connect with LGBTQI+ students on your home campus and across CUNY! Visit your campus’ Student Life website or platform to search for LGBTQ+ student clubs or resource centers. If you have any questions about what your particular campus offers, you can reach out to your campus LGBTQI+ Council representative (see the Contact Us section). Sometimes, LGBTQI+ events offered on one CUNY campus may designate that they’re open to attendees from all CUNY campuses.
See the CUNY LGBTQI+ Event Calendar.
Through the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies (CUNY BA), students can receive an individualized degree specifically in LGBTQ Studies. Working closely with a mentor and drawing on the wide areas of faculty expertise in LGBTQ Studies across CUNY campuses, students can now develop an academic path that prepares them to contribute to LGBTQ progress in the world. Click here for more information.
The LGBTQ courses page lists a sampling of some of the LGBTQ-inflected courses available across the CUNY campuses. Some are offered on a rotational basis. Please go to CUNY Class Search for current offerings and schedules.
Yes, your college can move forward without cooperation. Please note that it is very difficult to prove a case without a cooperative complainant. Please refer to the LGBTQ+ Policies, Reporting, and Resources section to view CUNY’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct and various confidential and supportive resources.

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