LGBTQIA+ Hub

Quicklinks

We are committed to providing educational excellence to its students while creating a diverse, inclusive atmosphere for learning. We support the LGBTQIA+ student, staff and faculty population. This online hub is updated from the CUNY LGBTQI+ Council.

Student Group

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.

Our representatives on the council:

Lisa Davis
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 
Admissions Counselor & Pipeline to Justice Liaison
Pronouns: She/Her
LGBTQI+ Council Subcommittee: Gender/Name Policies & Information Systems
Phone: 718-340-4631
Email: bibi.amin@law.cuny.edu

CUNY LGBTQI+ Council

LGBTQIA+ Student Group – OUTLaws 

Our student LGBTQIA+ group, OUTlaws bring together LGBTQI+, questioning, and allied peers through community-based activities, actions, campaigns, social advocacy, education, friendships, and fun.

OUTLaws 
Email: TBA
Social Media: Instagram @cunyoutlaws
Staff/Faculty Advisor: TBA
Meeting Details: TBA – Join Listserv

Need Help?

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 & Wellness 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.

 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.

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 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 (e.g. diplomas and transcripts), where a legal name change is required to 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 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 the Registrar’s Office

Update Your Gender

  • Log in to CUNYfirst
  • Go to Self Service (might also say Employee Self Service)
  • Under Personal Details, click “Gender Identity”
  • Choose your gender identity. Options include: male (M), female (F), transgender (T), gender nonconforming (G), non-binary (X), a gender not listed (L) and not specified (U)
  • Choose the date you want your gender identity to be shown

You may also complete the CUNY Gender Change Form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office

Update Your Student ID Card

You 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 the Public Safety Department to request a new card.

Update Your Student Email

Your preferred name must be updated in CUNYfirst. Once done, you can contact IT Services – Helpdesk 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.

Safe Zones & 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 our representatives, Lisa Davis or Bibi Amin.

If you would like more information on the CUNY LGBTQI+ Safezone Subcommittee, please contact Tammie Velasquez at tavelasquez@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Policies & Resources

Policies

Resources