McKinsey & Co. NY BUILD Fellowship Program

McKinsey has developed an internship program that is great for LGBTQIA+ Identifying Baruch Graduates!

Have you graduated in June 2021 or later, or will you graduate by June 2022, and are you interested in a 2-year rotational program with McKinsey? Join this information session on December 2 from 7-8 PM to hear from representatives about the firm and its BUILD program.

After submitting the online application through their portal, you will receive a follow-up email titled “Diversity and inclusion at McKinsey” where you will be able to identify your interest in their business resource group for LGBTQIA+ colleagues GLAM. This is a very important step!!! You may also use this opportunity to select other affinity groups and allyships you would like to be part of.

Candidates must have recently graduated (within 12 months of the June 2022 program start date) or are upcoming June 2022 graduates from New York public colleges and universities. Quantitative/Analytical undergraduate or graduate degrees preferred, with an outstanding record of academic achievement and aptitude for analytics.

Thursday, December 2, 2021
7-8 PM

Register to attend the McKinsey & Co. New York Business Insights Fellowship Information Session

The BUILD application is available here, and the deadline to apply is January 3, 2022.

Paid Internships for CUNY LGBTQI+ Students

Gilbane–Intern to support the implementation of initiatives to maximize participation of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and diverse workers on Gilbane construction projects in the New York region. This role supports the Economic Inclusion Manager/Director in all aspects of program management including but not limited to the below responsibilities.  Note, the position description is for a full-time position, but this is an internship opportunity.

Nunbelievable–Nunbelievable is looking for an intern to help support drive our customer and vendor relationship activities. We are growing our retail and wholesale business and need support. The ideal candidate is someone who independent, curious, results-oriented, a team player, and a self-starter. This is a great opportunity for someone interested in entrepreneurship. The founder of the company is a serial entrepreneur who is very interested in providing an opportunity and experience for a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

If interested in either or both opportunities please email your resume to Peter Cohen, Esq. at Petermcohen595@gmail.com.

Project Connect at Apicha Presents GAYme

A Mentorship Program for students who identify as Asian and Pacific Islanders, LGBTQ+, are 18-24 years old, and will be in NYC from 9/2021-4/2022.

• New to NYC?
• Need advice on living your best queer API life?
• Just want to meet other API LGBTQ+ New Yorkers?

Join our mentorship program, GAYme! Email ichang@apicha.org

To learn more about Apicha go to: www.apicha.org

You can follow Project Connect at:  www.facebook.com/APICHAProjectConnect

The LGBTQ Policy Center at Roosevelt House invites you to attend a new public program presented in-person and on Zoom:

Walking While Trans: The End of New York’s Anti-Loitering Law

Monday, December 6, 5 PM
Roosevelt House, 47-49 East 65th Street

Continuing the first full season of public events at the Roosevelt House LGBTQ Policy Center under the leadership of its new Director, Erin Mayo-Adam, we are pleased to present a panel discussion on the successful effort to repeal New York State’s “Walking While Trans” law. Through a conversation with leading policymakers, attorneys, and activists, this event will examine how a powerful policy coalition came together to advance the law’s repeal and look ahead to future LGBTQ+ policy campaigns aimed at reducing mass incarceration in New York. In February of 2021, New York repealed the anti-loitering law commonly known as “Walking While Trans,” which, according to its critics, was used by law enforcement to harass and arrest trans people. Culminating years of grassroots activism led by trans people of color, the repeal is part of an ongoing fight to reform the police system and reduce the criminalization of New York’s queer and trans communities.

Panelists Include:

RSVP for in-person program Walking While Trans

RSVP for Zoom program Walking While Trans

Queer Art Chat on Materials and Bodies

Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 7:00-8:30 p.m. EST (Online, Zoom)
Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 7:00-8:30 p.m. EST (Online, Zoom)

Queer Art Chats are a chance to build community among people invested in queer and trans perspectives, art, and liberation. No specialized understanding of art, art history, or queer theory is required; our own experiences and perspectives will form the basis for participation. In each session, participants will work with facilitators and each other to collectively generate ideas about queerness and transness.

Queer Art Chat on Materials and Bodies will explore artworks that invoke the idea of bodies using assemblages of organic materials without depicting figures. Together, we will investigate how abstracted forms can gesture to lived, embodied experiences. Registration required.

Graduate Pride Society Bi-Weekly Hang-Out

Please join us every other Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. EDT

Hang Out with Graduate Pride Society

September 15, 2021
September 29
October 13
October 27
November 10
November 24
December 8

• Gender, Love, and Sexuality Spectrum – Baruch’s undergraduate LGBTQIA+ student organization.
• Graduate Pride Society – Baruch’s graduate LGBTQIA+ student organization.
• LGBTQIA Resource Center – A safe space for Baruch’s LGBTQIA+ students located in NVC 3-216 (not currently open).
• LGBTQ+ Job Search 101 – Video of a Marxe School of Public and International Affairs Career Services CUNY-wide presentation.
• Newman Library Guides – Selected LGBTQ resources available in the Newman Library.
• LGBTQI+ CUNY Council – The LGBTQI+ CUNY Council is a collective of CUNY campus representatives who collaboratively work to celebrate, support, and advocate for LGBTQI+ students, faculty, and staff CUNY-wide. Students, faculty, and staff can contact their campus representative to share information about LGBTQI+ activities and events, gain support on their campus, and champion issues and advocate for change for the LGBTQI+ community. Baruch Campus Representative: Gary Dillon, PhD
• Student Emergency Grants – Through generous donations from alumni, outside agencies, foundations, and other individual on- and off-campus donors, Baruch College is pleased to provide emergency grants to its students who are beset by financial difficulties.
• Immigration Lawyer Consultation – A free service for Baruch students brought to you by Undergraduate Student Government, Graduate Student Assembly, and the Office of Student Life.
• LGBTQ Alumni & Allies – A network for Baruch alumni and allies.
• Baruch Title IX – Baruch is committed to cultivating a culture where students, faculty, staff, administrators, and visitors, are able to learn and work in a safe environment, free from harassment and misconduct.

• Counseling Center
• Health Services
• Residence Life
• Office of Student Life
• Baruch Public Safety
• Student Disability Services
• Registrar
• Financial Aid
• Bursar

• Baruch Scholarships – Baruch’s scholarship information and application page.
• External Scholarships – CUNY’s resource page for external scholarships.

Also check under Announcements on this page for any special scholarship listings.

Center for LGBTQ Studies (CLAGS)
The Center for LGBTQ Studies (CLAGS) was founded in 1991 as 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. By sponsoring public programs and conferences, offering fellowships to individual scholars, and functioning as an indispensable conduit of information, CLAGS serves as a national center for the promotion of scholarship that fosters social change.

CUNY LGBTQI+ Leadership Program
The CUNY LGBTQI Student Leadership Program brings together undergraduate students within the CUNY system for a year-long leadership training experience. The purpose of the program is to cultivate the next generation of LGBTQI leaders. The program utilizes a social justice framework to engage student leaders in a variety of training, experiential, and mentoring activities.

The CUNY LGBTQI+ Advocacy Academy is rooted in the belief that CUNY LGBTQI+ students, in all their diverse intersectionality, are uniquely positioned to take their rightful places among the next generation of leaders in government, industry, art & cultural institutions, science, finance and nonprofits that are critical to our city, state, and nation. With this in mind, the Academy will focus explicitly on identity and leadership development through political advocacy, policy development, community organizing, and civic engagement.

LGBTQ Studies
Diverse issues of lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer (LGBTQ) law, health, media, psychology, activism, and cultural production have risen to prominence nationally and globally, making the lives of LGBTQ people increasingly central to all social analysis. The City University of New York is committed to offering students the opportunity to develop careers in this dynamic and emerging field of inquiry through a variety of programs and courses, including the CUNY Baccalaureate (CUNY BA).

LGBTQ Courses
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.

CUNY Policies and Procedures

• CUNY LGBTQI+ Hub
• Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
• Protecting The Rights of Transgender And Gender-Nonconforming Students
• Policies on Student Requests for Name and/or Gender Changes
• Preferred Name Request Form
• Gender Change Request Form
• Personal Data Change Request Form

General Healthcare

• NYC Health + Hospitals – NYC Health + Hospitals is committed to empowering Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) New Yorkers to live the healthiest life possible. This health system provides responsive, compassionate, and respectful care in a welcoming environment.
• Callen-Lorde Community Health Center – Callen-Lorde provides sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities — in all their diversity — regardless of ability to pay. To further this mission, Callen-Lorde promotes health education and wellness, and advocates for LGBTQ health issues.

General Health Information

• NYC Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary and Gender Expansive Health – Resources for transgender and gender nonconforming people: gender-affirming medical care, HIV prevention and treatment, suicide prevention and crisis intervention and services for trans youth.
• Healthcare Bill of Rights – LGBT people suffer from stigma related health issues like smoking or mental health problems. When we fear a chilly welcome, we avoid doctors, which means we also don’t get well-person care like cancer screenings. The first step in breaking this chain is getting LGBT people in regular healthcare; this tool can help you be confident of your rights.
• HRC Healthcare Equality Index – Sets standards for promoting equitable and inclusive care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer patients, and their families.

Mental Health

• NYC Well – NYC Well is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365.
• The Trevor Project – The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
• Gaylesta: The Psychotherapist Association for Gender & Sexual Diversity – Provides mental health services including therapist referrals, education and consultation.

Baruch and CUNY Food Access Resources

New York City/State Resources

Glassdoor​ – Lists out some affirming companies to work for and their reviews on Glassdoor, a job and recruiting site.

Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index​ – Lists out companies based on their equality across LGBTQ+ experiences.

Your Guide to Professional Attire – General tips, do’s and don’ts about dressing for an interview provided by Starr Career Development Center. (Text version available.)

Organizations

• Sylvia Rivera Law Project – The Sylvia Rivera Law Project works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence.
• LeGal (LGBT Bar NY) – Focused on the greater New York metropolitan area, LeGaL is dedicated to improving the administration of the law, ensuring full equality for members of the LGBT community, promoting the expertise and advancement of LGBT legal professionals, and serving the larger community.
• New York Legal Assistance Group – Provides legal assistance to individuals and communities experiencing poverty, and to provide the highest quality free legal services to those who need an attorney.
• NYC Anti-Violence Project – Provides direct client services to LGBTQ & HIV-affected survivors of all forms of violence, including hate violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, pick-up violence, and institutional violence in all five boroughs of New York City.
• Immigration Equality – Works to secure safe haven, freedom to live openly, and equality for individuals and families in the LGBTQ community. Through direct legal services, policy advocacy, and impact litigation, they advocate for immigrants and families facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status.
• National Center for Lesbian Rights – NCLR is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, legislation, policy, and public education.
• Lambada Legal – Lambada Legal works to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
• Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund – TLDEF is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, and public policy efforts.
• American Civil Liberties Union – The ACLU of New York is one of 54 local offices across the U.S. working with attorneys and activists in their communities to shape better policies and spread awareness about their states’ priority civil rights issues.

General Legal Information

• LGBTQ+ Travel Information – Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) travelers can face unique challenges when traveling abroad. Laws and attitudes in some countries may affect safety and ease of travel. Legal protections vary from country to country. Many countries do not legally recognize same-sex marriage. More than seventy countries consider consensual same-sex sexual relations a crime, sometimes carrying severe punishment.
• New York State Division of Human Rights – The Division of Human Rights was created to enforce the Human Rights Law, which affords every citizen “an equal opportunity to enjoy a full and productive life.” This law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, credit, places of public accommodations, and non-sectarian educational institutions, based on age, race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, military status, and other specified classes.
• File a complaint with the Division of Human Rights – If someone feels they have been discriminated against they can file a complaint with the Division of Human Rights.

Know Your Rights

• Know Your Rights – A guide for the LGBTQ+ community on New York State Human Rights Law.
• Lambada Legal – Legal rights for those who identify as LGBTQ+ persons in the workplace, those living with HIV, in court, transgender, or teens/young adults.
• Stopped by Police – An ACLU guide on handling police encounters. (Also in Spanish)
• Sylvia Rivera Law Project – Tips for trans people dealing with cops and jail. (Also in Spanish)

Updating Forms of Identification

• How to change your name (NY)
• Updating your driver’s license (NY)
• Updating your birth certificate (NY)
• Updating your Social Security Card
• Updating your passport

LGBTQ Guide of Services and Resources by the New York City Comptroller (2019)

• Housing Works – Housing is available to eligible individuals living with HIV; people of transgender experience living with HIV; single men and women with active substance use issues; HIV-positive single women recently released from a correctional setting; and HIV-positive unstably housed LGBTQ youth (18-24). We also offer supportive, affordable housing for families where the head-of-household is living with HIV.
• NYC Housing Connect – New Yorkers’ portal to find and apply for affordable housing opportunities across the five boroughs of New York City.
• NYCHA – Public housing is government-owned housing that is available to certain low-income individuals and families through the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
• Section 8/Rental Subsidy Programs – Section 8, also known as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, provides federal funding for subsidies that help eligible low-income families rent decent, safe, and affordable housing in a neighborhood of their choice.

• The Audre Lorde Project – The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color community organizing center, focusing on the New York City area.
• Brooklyn Community Pride Center – Brooklyn Community Pride Center provides services and support to the borough’s LGBTQ+ community through original programming and partnerships with other organizations.
• Identity House – Identity House is an all-volunteer community that provides counseling services to support and encourage LGBTQ+ adults who are working through issues around sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, including among other things alienation, relationships, and family.
• The Center: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center – New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center empowers people to lead healthy, successful lives. The Center celebrates our diversity and advocates for justice and opportunity.
• Rainbow Heights Club – Rainbow Heights Club, located in Brooklyn, New York, is a support and advocacy program for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender consumers of mental health services. We provide socialization, peer support, and a safe place to take the next step on the road to emotional recovery and wellness.
• NYC Unity Project – The NYC Unity Project—which is the first-ever focused, citywide commitment to supporting and empowering LGBTQ young people—is a key part of that commitment.

• Pride Basketball League NYC (Women’s+ Division) – The New York City Gay Basketball League provides a safe and welcoming environment free from harassment and discrimination for members and friends of the LGBTQ+ community to play basketball and build camaraderie.
• Pride Basketball League NYC (Men’s+ Division) – The PBLNYC strives to promote positive values in our community and continues to fight to eliminate any negative stereotypes associated with LGBTQIA+ athletics. Most importantly, the league is a fun way to meet great people in the community. With advanced and recreational divisions, there’s something for every level of player.
• Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club (Men’s+ Division) – We are a gay-inclusive rugby team. Our focus is to create an environment for gay athletes to compete. Gotham competes with non-gay teams in the tri-state as well as in international gay tournaments where we are one of the top five teams in the world.
• Gotham Volleyball – Founded in 1981, Gotham Volleyball is an LGBTQ sports league whose mission is to build community through the sport of volleyball. We offer league play, training, open plays, and tournaments from the beginning to advanced levels.

What is Sexual Orientation? LGBTQ+

Sex Assigned at Birth and Gender Identity: What Is The Difference?

Expressing Myself. My Way.

My Friend is Transgender

5 Tips for Being an Ally

• COMING OUT: A Handbook for LGBTQ Young People (The Trevor Project)
• Black and LGBTQ: Approaching Intersectional Conversations (The Trevor Project)
• Negrx y LGBTQ: Sobre Conversaciones Interseccionales (The Trevor Project)
• Supporting Black LGBTQ Youth Mental Health (The Trevor Project)
• How to Support Bisexual Youth (The Trevor Project)
• A Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth (The Trevor Project)
• Protect Your Space and Well-being on Instagram (The Trevor Project)
• LGBT Dictionary (Baruch’s Gender, Love, and Sexuality Spectrum – G.L.A.S.S.).
• LGBTQ+ Inclusive Language (The Safe Zone Project)

 Starr Career Center presents

RBC Capital Markets’ LGBTQ+ Sophomore Insights Program

What is the LGBTQ+ Sophomore Insights Program?
RBC Capital Markets is committed to fostering workplace diversity and inclusion. Our LGBTQ+ Sophomore Insights Program aims to provide a supportive platform for early insights, development, and mentorship to a highly selective group of LGBTQ+ sophomore students interested in pursuing a career in investment banking, corporate banking, sales & trading, research or technology through high-touch virtual and in-person development sessions, culminating in early interviews for our Summer 2023 internships.

Qualifications:

• You are a full-time sophomore student (graduating in December 2023 or Spring 2024)
• You are interested in pursuing a full-time career in investment banking, sales & trading, research or technology
• You are able to join us the summer of your Junior year
• Your cumulative GPA is a minimum of 3.4

What’s in it for you?
A four month program consisting of virtual learning and development sessions designed by and for LGBTQ+ professionals, with the goal of exposing you to the many areas within RBC Capital Markets and to provide a comprehensive understanding of our organization as well as the finance industry more broadly.

• An assigned mentor to help you navigate the organization and guide your career
• An invaluable network of driven, ambitious like-minded professionals
• The opportunity to interview early for our Summer 2023 internship program

Selection Process and Next Steps:
Following the deadline, applications will be reviewed by a team of RBC Capital Markets professionals. Select applicants will then be invited to interview by telephone. The program is slated to kick off in late October/ early November 2021.

While the program is primarily virtual, we hope to host an on-site summit in the new year. RBC will cover hotel expenses for any program participants traveling from out of state.

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment
RBC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans status, Aboriginal/Native American status or any other legally-protected factors. Disability-related accommodations during the application process are available upon request.

If interested, please apply on Starr Search (Job ID# 151181) and follow the instructions within the posting.

Resume submission deadline is September 30 at 11:59 pm.

CUNY LGBTQI+ Advocacy Academy

The CUNY LGBTQI+ Advocacy Academy is facilitated by distinguished Prof. James Vacca from Queens College and will focus on political advocacy, policy development, community organizing, and civic engagement. Students accepted into this program will be offered leadership training, mentoring, the ability to interact with influential leaders and activists in the LGBTQI+ community, stipends, and more. For more information and the application, click Tinyurl.com/LBTQIAA-21-22.

The CUNY LGBTQI+ Advocacy Academy will take place from October 15, 2021 – April 29, 2022. ​

The deadline to apply is September 30, 2021.

Reaching out MBA (ROMBA) Conference Competitions

Reaching out MBA

Consulting Case Competition
The 20th annual LGBT+ MBA case competition, sponsored by Bain & Co., is an opportunity for LGBT+ graduate students to showcase their analytical, presentation, and strategic skills to judges comprised of professionals from Reaching Out’s various consulting corporate partners. All entrants must be LGBT+ or active ally MBAs/graduate students who are registered to attend the 2021 ROMBA Conference – either virtually or in person.

• 1st Place Award: $5,000
• 2nd Place Award: $2,500
• 3rd Place Award: $1,000

Registration Deadline: Once 24 applications are received or by September 14, 2021.
Case Sent to Teams: September 15, 2021
Material Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM PT, September 26, 2021
Competition Date: October 2, 2021

M&A Case Competition
The 7th Annual M&A Case Competition, sponsored by Credit Suisse, provides participants the opportunity to experience the role of investment bankers in a mergers & acquisition scenario – and to walk away with the $2,500 prize!
Entrants will demonstrate their analytical and presentation skills before a prestigious panel of judges. All entrants must be LGBT+ or active ally MBAs or graduate students who are registered to attend the 2021 ROMBA Conference – either virtually or in person.

• 1st Place Award: $2,500

Registration Deadline: September 7, 2021
Case Sent to Teams: September 8, 2021
Material Submission Deadline: September 17, 2021
Finalists Notified: September 24, 2021
Finalist Presentations: October 2, 2021

Startup Pitch Competition
Reaching Out MBA and StartOut are teaming up once again on the 10th annual ROMBA Startup Pitch Competition. The individual or team with the most promising new venture idea, as judged by a panel of leading investors and entrepreneurs, will walk away with bragging rights and $5,000. At least one member of your team must be registered as a current or alumnus LGBT+ MBA/graduate student and be in attendance for the 2021 ROMBA Conference (either virtual or in person).

• 1st Place Award: $5,000

Application Deadline: 11:59pm PT on September 12, 2021
Finalists Notified: September 17, 2021
Pitch Date: September 25, 2021

CUNY Launches New Initiatives to Support LGBTQI+ Students

New Advocacy Academy and Summer Internship Programs Provide Career Engagement Opportunities and Training for the LGBTQI+ Leaders of Tomorrow

University Marks Pride Month with Film Festival, Candidates Forums, Exhibits, and by Joining Lavender Graduation

The City University of New York is celebrating Pride Month with the launch of two innovative programs to support LGBTQI+ students with career engagement opportunities and leadership skill development that will help them succeed in a post-pandemic economy. CUNY is also hosting virtual events that reaffirm the University’s historic commitment to the LGBTQI+ community.

“As we celebrate Pride Month, the University reiterates its commitment to our LGBTQI+ students, faculty and staff for their ongoing contributions and tireless work to create safe and inclusive spaces for all,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “These important new programs are vital to opening up doors and breaking down barriers so that LGBTQI+ students can gain the leadership and advocacy skills needed for public life as well as create important connections for their careers, all the while helping to ensure a more diverse and equitable post-COVID economy, one in which all groups are equally valued.”

Since the start of the Spring semester, the CUNY LGBTQI+ Advocacy Academy has been training some 20 students from around the University to be future advocates and leaders within the LGBTQI+ community. The students were selected via an interview process and the non-credit certification course is taught by Jimmy Vacca, a former New York City Councilman from the Bronx, and focuses on a wide array of subjects that include community engagement, legislation and the role of lobbying, and an overview of LGBTQI+ history.

Last month, the CUNY LGBTQI+ Summer Internship program was launched with a virtual conference — attended by CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez, industry leaders and the presidents of Baruch College, The City College of New York and LaGuardia Community College — to provide LGBTQI+ students career engagement opportunities in the private, cultural and nonprofit sectors. The LGBTQI+ Summer Internship program will officially launch its first cohort in summer 2022 with the recruitment process starting this fall.

Both programs benefited from the support of philanthropist Mitch Draizin, the founder and president of the Concordia Philanthropic Fund, who also participates in the LGBTQI+ Advocacy Academy. Guest speakers for the CUNY LGBTQI+ Advocacy Academy included Reggie Greer, a White House LGBTQ liaison/coordinator; Melissa Sklarz, a New York City trans activist, author and speaker; and Congressman Ritchie Torres, the first openly gay elected official in the Bronx.

“This class is all about developing the leaders of tomorrow,” said Vacca, a distinguished lecturer in the Urban Studies department at Queens College, and an alumnus of the college. “I’m all about mentoring. I’m all about giving students somewhere to go and someone to go to, who has experiences that they can benefit from.”

CUNY’s LGBTQI+ Council, a CUNY-wide committee of faculty and staff, also created a one-stop online tool, the CUNY LGBTQI+ Hub, collecting available resources in one centralized location and sending the message that CUNY is a safe environment in which to thrive. The Council’s mission is to ensure the visibility and inclusion of the entire spectrum of LGBTQI+ students, faculty and staff.

Celebrating Pride

This year’s Pride Month programming includes a variety of virtual celebrations, a film festival, two Lavender Graduations, among other events.

On Thursday, June 3, the CUNY Queens Consortium will hold its Virtual LGBTQI+ Pride Celebration from 7-8 p.m., for the second year in a row in lieu of the annual in-person Queens Pride Celebration in Jackson Heights. The Consortium, made up of the borough’s five CUNY campuses — Queens College, York College, LaGuardia Community College, Queensborough Community College and the CUNY Law School — will feature live music, student performances, drag numbers and cameo appearances from community leaders. This event is open to the public but registration required.

From June 21 to 25, Bronx Community College is hosting a University-wide Pride Film Festival, with a variety of LGBTQI+ themed films including: The Celluloid Closet, a 1995 documentary that explores how Hollywood historically portrayed LGBTQ characters in film (June 21, 5-7:30 p.m.); Prayers for Bobby, which tells the true story of a devout Christian mother who has to confront her faith after her gay son commits suicide (June 23, 5-7:30 p.m.); and All About My Mother, written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar, which tells the story of a nurse who eventually finds a surrogate family that includes a pregnant, HIV-positive nun and a transgender sex worker (June 25, 5-7:30 p.m.).

Bronx Community College and LaGuardia Community College will both participate in Lavender Graduation 2021, the annual ceremonyheld nationwide to honor LGBTQI+ students and to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements.BCC’s pre-recorded virtual Lavender Graduation will premiere on June 1. For information, contact: emalinda.mcspadden@bcc.cuny.edu. LaGuardia Community College’s Lavender Graduation will be held on June 16, from 2-4 p.m. The celebration includes student speakers and performances, and all are welcome to join in.

On June 25, Queens College will host the fourth annual CUNY Pridefest at Queens from 4-6 p.m., which will be livestreamed on YouTube. The event will feature drag performances, musical acts, a DJ and dancers. Festival-goers can capture their favorite moments with a virtual photo booth. This event is open to the public.

Other upcoming events include:

June 1 – Hunter College
Citywide Candidates Take on LGBTQ+ Issues:
5 p.m.

Roosevelt House is presenting the third in a series of 2021 Zoom election events, designed to give young and first-time voters the opportunity to explore policy issues with those running for office in the June 22 primaries. This event features a series of individual discussions with candidates seeking nomination for mayor and comptroller, who will field questions from the Hunter community on the issues they believe most directly impact New York’s LGBTQ+ community.

Participating candidates include mayoral hopefuls Art Chang, Kathryn Garcia and Fernando Mateo; and candidates for comptroller Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, Zachary Iscol, Brad Lander, Alex Pan and Reshma Patel; moderated by Erin Mayo-Adam, director of the Roosevelt House LGBTQ Policy Center. For more information, go here.

June 8 – Hunter College
Candidates for City Council Take on LGBTQ+ Issues:
5 p.m.

This event focuses on New York City Council candidates who are seeking to maintain the Council’s LGBTQ+ representation as current LGBTQ+ Council members reach the end of their respective terms. Participating candidates include: Erik Bottcher (Manhattan); Marti Cummings (Manhattan); Crystal Hudson (Brooklyn); Kristin Richardson Jordan (Manhattan); Jeffrey Omura (Manhattan); Alfonso Quiroz (Queens); moderated by Roosevelt House LGBTQ Policy Center director Erin Mayo-Adam. For more information please go here.

June 9 – LaGuardia Community College 
Lavender Line: Coming Out in Queens 
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 

Join us for a history of Queens LGBTQ Activism. Hosted by LaGuardia’s LGBTQIA Safe Zone Hub and the LaGuardia & Wagner Archives.

June 24 – LaGuardia Community College
A Seat at the Table: LGBTQ Representation in New York Politics.

LaGuardia and Wagner Archives and the Commercial Photography Program will open the exhibit “A Seat at the Table: LGBTQ Representation in New York Politics.” Through oral history, video and photography, this exhibit explores the personal narratives and political experiences of 14 New York City LGBTQ elected officials in the City Council and state Legislature. Exhibition participants include New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, former NYC City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Assembly Member Deborah Glick. For more information please go here.

Hunter College has also posted Pride Month presentations from previous years at Roosevelt House:

Fifty Years after Stonewall: What have we accomplished? Where do we go from here? (2019): Former Congressman Barney Frank, who for nearly two decades was the most prominent openly gay member of the House of Representatives, spoke with four Hunter students about the future challenges facing the movement for LGBTQ+ rights.

Ike’s Mystery Man: The Secret Lives of Robert Cutler (2019): Veteran journalist Peter Shinkle discussed his biography of Robert Cutler, Dwight Eisenhower’s right‐hand man for national security — and a closeted gay man at the center of a gay love triangle. Shinkle spoke with Charles Kaiser, the former acting director of the LGBTQ Policy Center at Roosevelt House and author of The Gay Metropolis.

Remembering Larry Kramer (2020): A tribute to the late playwright and gay rights activist featuring Kramer’s authorized biographer Bill Goldstein, in conversation with Charles Kaiser.

The City University of New York is the nation’s largest urban public university, a transformative engine of social mobility that is a critical component of the lifeblood of New York City. Founded in 1847 as the nation’s first free public institution of higher education, CUNY today has seven community colleges, 11 senior colleges and seven graduate or professional institutions spread across New York City’s five boroughs, serving 500,000 students of all ages and awarding 55,000 degrees each year. CUNY’s mix of quality and affordability propels almost six times as many low-income students into the middle class and beyond as all the Ivy League colleges combined. More than 80 percent of the University’s graduates stay in New York, contributing to all aspects of the city’s economic, civic and cultural life and diversifying the city’s workforce in every sector. CUNY’s graduates and faculty have received many prestigious honors, including 13 Nobel Prizes and 26 MacArthur “Genius” Grants. The University’s historic mission continues to this day: provide a first-rate public education to all students, regardless of means or background.