LGBTQI+ Hub
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.
CUNY LGBTQI+ Council
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
Gary Dillon
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
Teresa Hurst
College: Baruch College
Job Title: Director, Counseling Center
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: teresa.hurst@baruch.cuny.edu
Tammie Velasquez
College: Borough of Manhattan Community College
Job Title: Student Life Manager, Women’s Resource Center
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: SafeZone Trainings/LGBTQ Centers
Phone: 212-220-8166
Email: tavelasquez@bmcc.cuny.edu
Michael Hutmaker
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
Emalinda (Emily) McSpadden
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
Edwin Roman
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
Bronx Community College LGBTQI+ Resource Room
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.
Sami Binder
College: Brooklyn College
Job Title: Senior Assistant to the Director, LGBTQ Resource Center
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: SafeZone Trainings/LGBTQ Centers
Phone: 718-951-5739
Email: Sami.Binder@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Kelly Spivey
College: Brooklyn College
Job Title: Director, LGBTQ+ Resource Center
Pronouns: She/Her/They
Phone: 718-951-5739
Email: kelly.spivey10@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Brooklyn College LGBTQ Resource Center
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.
Jasmin Salcedo
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
Yaari Felber-Seligman
College: The City College of New York
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Email: yfelberseligman@ccny.cuny.edu
The City College of New York LGBTQ+ Student 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
Jeremiah Jurkiewicz
College: College of Staten Island
Job Title: LGBTQ Resource Center/Pluralism & Diversity Coordinator
Pronouns: He/Him/His
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: SafeZone Trainings/LGBTQ Centers
Phone (LGBTQ Center): 718-982-3091
Phone (Google): 929-320-0422
Email: Jeremiah.Jurkiewicz@csi.cuny.edu Read More
Jean-Philippe Berteau
College: College of Staten Island
Job Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Phone: 718-982-2905
Email: jean.berteau@csi.cuny.edu
College of Staten Island LGBTQ Resource 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.
Elvis Bakaitis
College: CUNY Graduate Center
Job Title: Interim Head of Reference, Mina Rees Library
Pronouns: They/Them
Email: Ebakaitis@gc.cuny.edu
Jan Oosting Kaminsky
College: CUNY School of Professional Studies
Job Title: Assistant Professor of Nursing
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 973-865-9131
Email: jan.kaminsky@cuny.edu
Kevin Simmons
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
Irene Garcia-Mathes
College: CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies
Job Title: Senior Academic Advisor, Labor Studies & Student Affairs
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 914-810-4616
Email: Irene.Garcia-Mathes@slu.cuny.edu
Lisa Davis
College: CUNY School of Law
Job Title: Associate Professor of Law & Special Advisor on Gender Persecution to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor
Pronouns: They/Them
Phone: 718-340-4148
Email: lisa.davis@law.cuny.edu
Bibi N. Amin
College: CUNY School of Law
Job Title: Admissions Counselor & Pipeline to Justice Liaison
Pronouns: She/Her
Phone: 718-340-4631
Email: bibi.amin@law.cuny.edu
Peter Marquez
School: Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism
Title: IT Associate, Campus Services
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Phone: 646-758-7897
Email: peter.marquez@journalism.cuny.edu
Rachel Dávila Ramírez
School: Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism
Title: Social Media Manager
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: rachel.ramirez@journalism.cuny.edu
Christopher Roth
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
Sherry Adams
College: CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
Job Title: Student Wellness Counselor, Office of Student Affairs
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 646-364-9526
Email: sherry.adams@sph.cuny.edu
Charles Rice-Gonzalez
College: Hostos Community College
Job Title: Assistant Professor of English
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Phone: 718-518-6865
Email: crice-gonzalez@hostos.cuny.edu
Anika Seidman-Gati
College: Hunter College
Job Title: Student Psychological Counselor and Health Educator, Counseling and Wellness Services
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 212-772-4925, 212-650-3397
Email: anika.seidman-gati@hunter.cuny.edu
Hunter College Counseling & Wellness Services
696 Park Avenue
Room 1119, East Building
New York, NY 10065
212-772-4931
Learn more about the Hunter College Counseling & Wellness Services
Dominique Mendez-Rose
College: John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Job Title: Administrative Events Specialist, Theater & Events Support Services
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 212-237-8739
Email: domendez@jjay.cuny.edu
Michelle Garcia
College: John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Job Title: Assistant Director of LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 212-484-1305
Email: Micgarcia@jjay.cuny.edu
Alena Kastin
College: Kingsborough Community College
Job Title: Counselor, TRiO Student Support Services
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 718-368-4589
Email: Alena.Kastin@kbcc.cuny.edu
Raquel Torres
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
Deema Bayrakdar
College: LaGuardia Community College
Job Title: Director, Women’s Center and LGBTQIA Safe Zone Hub
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Mental Health, Wellness & Security
Phone: 718-482-5179
Email: dbayrakdar@lagcc.cuny.edu
Nathan Tosh
College: LaGuardia Community College
Job Title: Program Coordinator, Women’s Center and LGBTQIA Safe Zone Hub
Pronouns: He/Him/His, They/Them/Theirs
Email: ntosh@lagcc.cuny.edu
LaGuardia Community College LGBTQIA Safe Zone Hub
The LGBTQIA Safe Zone 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.
Matthew Frye Castillo
College: Lehman College
Job Title: Lecturer
Pronouns: He/Him
Phone: 908-948-8055
Email: matthewfryecastillo@gmail.com
Ashmini Hiralall
College: Lehman College
Job Title: Director, Health and Wellness Services
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 718-960-2415
Email: ashmini.hiralall@lehman.cuny.edu
Melissa Schwartz
College: Macaulay Honors College
Job Title: Assistant Director of Student Development
Pronouns: She/Her
Email: melissa.schwartz@mhc.cuny.edu
Chris Daversa
College: Macaulay Honors College
Job Title: Director of Student Development
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Cell: 212-729-2937
Email: chris.daversa@mhc.cuny.edu
Christina Chala
College: Medgar Evers College
Job Title: Career Specialist, Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP)
Pronouns: She/Her, They/Them
Phone: 718-804-8239
Email: CChala@mec.cuny.edu
Lisa Evelyn
College: Medgar Evers College
Job Title: Assistant Director, Women’s Center
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 718-270-6940
Email: levelyn@MEC.CUNY.EDU
Deb Waksbaum
College: New York City College of Technology
Job Title: Counseling
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Outreach & Online Presence
Phone: 718-260-5030
Email: dwaksbaum@citytech.cuny.edu
Deb Sisco
College: New York City College of Technology
Job Title: Academic Advisor/Transfer Evaluator, Transfer Student Center
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Phone: 718-501-2640
Email: dsisco@citytech.cuny.edu
David Rivera
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
JC Carlson
College: Queens College
Job Title: Student Life Events Manager, LGBTQIAA+ Programs Coordinator & Associate Director, CUNY LGBTQI+ Consortium
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Phone: 917-659-2646
Email: JC.Carlson@qc.cuny.edu
Sonal Soni
College: Queens College
Job Title: Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: Sonal.Soni@qc.cuny.edu
Robin Ford
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
Clarence Jefferson Hall Jr.
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
Ebonie Jackson
College: York College
Job Title: Director
Department: Women’s Center for Gender Justice
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Pnone: 718-262-2008
Email: ejackson@york.cuny.edu
LGBTQI+ Related Policies
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.
Victory for LGBTQI + Workers!
In a landmark ruling, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that existing federal law, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, forbids job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
New York Times: Civil Rights Law Protects Gay and Transgender Workers, Supreme Court Rules
CUNY Resources
Memo RE Gender & Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Gender Expression
New York City Resources
National Resources
LGBTQI+ Student Leadership & Internship Programs
CUNY offers programs specifically tailored to support its LGBTQI+ students and provide them with career engagement opportunities and leadership skill development. These programs benefit from the leadership and support of philanthropist Mitch Draizin, founder and president of the Concordia Philanthropic Fund and a long-time champion of CUNY’s LGBTQI+ community. Draizin is president of the LGBTQI+ Advisory Council of leaders who aspire to connect CUNY students to New York City’s various resources and opportunities for LGBTQI+ students and allies by leading and supporting various programs.
If you are in need of emotional support, please visit our Counseling page.
If you are in need of health and wellness resources, please visit the Health Services page.
If you or anyone you know is in a crisis situation:
please call 911, visit your local emergency room, text “HOME” to 741741
or reach out to The Trevor Project or The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Supporting Your Preferred Name & Gender
A chosen name (referred to in CUNY policy as a preferred name and sometimes known as a name-in-use) 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 preferred first and middle name as well as your gender at your discretion, without documentation. Unless noted, your 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.
Colleges may use a preferred name on all documents and records except for certain official documents (e.g. diplomas and transcripts), where a legal name change is required to update.
Update Your Preferred Name
- Log in to CUNYfirst
- Go to Student Center
- Under Personal Information, click “Names”
- Click “Add a New Name” and choose the Preferred option
You may also submit the CUNY Preferred Name Request Form to your college registrar’s office.
Note: To update your legal name (which can include corrections to a typographical or spelling error), request a Personal Data Change Request Form from your college’s registrar’s office.
Update Your Gender
- Complete the CUNY Gender Change Form and submit it to your college registrar’s office (gender information cannot be updated in CUNYfirst).
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.
Use Someone’s Chosen Name
In short, use someone’s chosen name whenever possible. This includes:
- in casual conversation and email communication
- in formal settings
- on registration and sign-up forms
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.
Update Your Student ID Card
CUNY students are entitled to a free updated ID card to reflect their preferred 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.
Update Your Student Email
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.
Update Zoom
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.
Need Help?
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.
FAQs
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.
Students are able to use CUNYfirst self-service to select a preferred first and middle name. Follow the following steps:
- Go onto the CUNYfirst Webpage
- Log into your account
- Go to Student Center
- Scroll down to Personal Information and Click “Names” on the left hand side
- On that page you should be able to add a name and indicate that it is your preferred name.
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 policy allows for a gender update without documentation. Complete a gender change form and submit to your school’s registrar office. Please be aware, however, that changing your gender in CUNYfirst may cause a mismatch if you are a recipient of federal financial aid. You are advised to contact your college’s financial aid office to alert the office of the gender change. 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 federal 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.
CUNY policy states colleges must replace student identification cards to reflect a preferred name without cost to the student.
Please reach out to your Campus’ Title IX office to report any acts of discrimination.
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.
Events
CUNY Marches in Brooklyn Pride!
Saturday, June 11, 2022, meet at 6:30 p.m.
5th Ave. & Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Join the fiercest group of students, faculty and staff – and the folx who love them – at this year’s Brooklyn Pride Parade on Saturday, June 11, 2022. We will march together and, as the event theme shouts, Be Loving, Be Brave, Be Proud!
Register today! Bring your Pride, bring your flags and signs, and wear your queerest CUNY gear!
Register today: tinyurl.com/CUNYbrooklynpride2022
Safe Zone Training
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.
If you would like more information on the CUNY LGBTQI+ Safezone Subcommittee, please contact Tammie Velasquez at tavelasquez@bmcc.cuny.edu.