Check out the resources and services we offer below. We also have some resources in the drop down menu below "Resources and Services" to your left! If you think something may be missing contact us!
Our Center
The LGBT Center is open for everyone. Homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism hurt people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Challenging and confronting oppression is vital in a learning environment.
Our resources and services include:
an office staffed by a professional director, Crissi Dalfonzo, and a new student affairs professional , the IC Pride Fellow (currently vacant).
a resource room with a welcoming and supportive environment for LGBT people and their allies; books, videos, periodicals, and computer stations are also available for use.
educational presentations and training workshops on a large variety of LGBT issues, including: LGBT 101, history, health care, reaching out to LGBT students and much more.
referrals, resources, and information on LGBT issues and concerns
campus-wide LGBT-themed education programs and social events including speakers, a film series, and Gaypril, LGBT Awareness month. (Most events are open to the larger community.)
brochures and pamphlets that address issues and concerns of LGBT people, their families, and allies
information for incoming students and their families
Download this PDF to your computer and print it on sticker paper and there ya go! You're very own pronoun stickers! It's that easy!
Members of our campus community represent all facets of the human experience, including when it comes to gender identity and expression. Just like in wider society, some of our community members are transgender, genderqueer, non-binary, agender, or have another gender identity and may use a name different from their birth name. Some cisgender (non-transgender) people use a name different from their birth name, too. If you would like to learn more about these terms and the lived experiences of people who use them, you can visit the following resources:
Inclusive strategies for welcoming students and colleagues include:
Use the name the person asks you to use, regardless of whether the roster or participation list has a different name, and regardless of whether the roster name seems to be a name associated with another gender (please do not point this out or mention it to other students). HomerConnect pulls information listed in the chosen name field as opposed to pulling information from the legal name field for class rosters. Making this simple change before publicly reading the roster or program attendance list will avoid inadvertently embarrassing the student or disclosing their personal information to others.
Class rosters have a student’s legal first name unless the student has designated their chosen first name with the Registrar's office using the online chosen/preferred name change form available at https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/registrar/forms/student-forms Pronouns are not included on rosters, and we encourage you to forego using pronouns and instead refer to all students by their chosen name until and unless they choose to share a pronoun. Students and faculty may also choose to include their pronouns in their Canvas account, using the Settings tab.
Create a simple online form for students to fill out with their contact info including the name they go by and their pronouns so they can share them with you before the first class meeting. Or during your first class meeting ask all students to complete index cards with contact information, the name they use/like to be called, and answers to a few other questions. You may also invite all students to write their pronouns, too. You may need to explain/give examples. (e.g., my pronouns are 'she' and 'her'; my pronouns are ‘they/them’.) Not every student will opt to share their pronouns.
If you do class introductions, invite students to use the name they wish to be called, even if it is different from what is on the roster.
Use inclusive language. For instance, use the words students/scholars/athletes when referring to groups of students, use their name or they/them pronouns to refer to people when their pronouns are not known to you.
Call on students and colleagues using a description rather than a gender, for instance instead of saying "the gentleman in back," or "the woman in the front," say things like "the student in the purple sweater in the back row," “the student with their hand raised,” “the person wearing a NY Mets jersey,” etc.
Display your pronouns during Zoom meetings. Right click on your name, select "Rename," type your pronouns in after your name e.g. Luca Maurer (he/him), and click "OK."
Be aware of IC resources. For instance, the LGBTQ Center provides consultation, resources, support, and referral. Director Crissi Dalfonzo provides consultation to faculty and staff seeking more information, and connects students to the policies, programs, and services on our campus that support them. Visit ithaca.edu.lgbt or contact cdalfonzo@ithaca.edu607-274-7394
Put a Title IX paragraph on the syllabus or orientation/contact materials you provide to your students. “Title IX is a federal act mandating that educational institutions receiving federal funding must provide sex and gender equity. All students have the right to a campus atmosphere free of sexual harassment, sexual violence, and gender discrimination. To make a report of sexual assault, sexual harassment or gender discrimination, please contact Linda Koenig, Title IX Coordinator; lkoenig@ithaca.edu 607-274-7761. Please visit www.ithaca.edu/share for more information.”
Consider adding information about where to seek help and make a report if someone experiences bias. “Ithaca College strives to create an educational environment that is free from discrimination. If you experience discrimination or bias or know someone who has, consider finding support by going to https://www.ithaca.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/find-support”.
Ask your colleagues how they would like to be addressed. And remember there are resources for faculty and staff who experience bias. Become familiar with www.ithaca.edu/diversity to learn more. IC employees may designate their lived/chosen name via the IC HR Cloud.
Contributing to an Inclusive and Equitable Environment
Listen to Your Students' Requests
A student may approach you before class starts or may send an email, asking you to note that they use a different name than what appears on the roster or program attendance list, and/or personal pronouns (they/them, she/her/, he/him or another set of pronouns) different than what might be assumed. www.mypronouns.org/ is an excellent resource on the different types of personal pronouns people use and why this matters.
Understand that students, staff and faculty have experienced disrespect and bias.
One of the most frequent ways students and colleagues encounter disrespect and frustration is due to others not respecting their lived/chosen name (the name they go by) or their gender in their lives and academic careers before becoming a community member. One effort Ithaca College made to prevent some of this frustration and its impacts was to implement a Personal Information Policy.
Know the Research and Impacts of Respecting Gender
Research demonstrates the significant protective health impacts of using chosen names and the pronouns individuals determine for themselves.
In 2021, New York State passed into law the Gender Recognition Act. This law allows New Yorkers to use "X" as a non-binary gender marker designation on New York State driver's licenses, non-driver state IDs, and birth certificates. The law also ensures that New Yorkers will be able to have their correct gender marker on official documents and provides additional protections to reduce discrimination against nonbinary and transgender New Yorkers. This law in combination with our efforts to recognize chosen names and pronouns will increase the safety of our students and promote a healthier learning environment.
Each individual's chosen name and pronouns should be respected at all times in our community (classrooms, workspaces, residence halls, events, Zoom meetings, etc.).
See the Intercom story Pronouns, Gender and Names for additional information about the role that each one of us - students, faculty and staff - play in maintaining an environment that models equity and dignity, is conducive to our institutional values, and keeps us all in compliance with state and federal laws.
There are a number of resources for and about LGBT people and themes in our local community. Here are a few, in no particular order. Contact each directly for the most up-to-date information.
Established in 2011, The Sir Alexander Ewing-Ithaca College Speech Clinic began a partnership with the LGBT Office at Ithaca College and Planned Parenthood to offer a program called Voice and Communication Modification Program for People in the Transgender Community. This program has been a part of the clinical programming within the Graduate Program of Speech-Language Pathology.
This program focuses on developing voice, articulation, language, non-verbal communication, self perception, and voice related quality of life, and is open to male to female, female to male, and non-binary transgender people.
The group is free all. Please contact the Ewing Clinic at 274-3714 for more information.
If your professors are using VoiceThread during the remote instruction period, here is info from our fabulous IC IT folks on how to change how your name appears on VoiceThread.
The library has prepared an extensive LGBTStudies Research Guide. Visit it to find links to LGBT journals, magazines, databases, articles, e-books, organizations, and statistical data. There's even a research page highlighting information specifically about gay marriage.
GLAAD: The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation
The Gay & Lesbian Medical Association: The gay and lesbian medical association exists to make the health care environment a place of empathy, justice and equality
Scouting for All: Advocating on behalf of its members and supporters for the restoration of the traditionally unbiased values of Scouting as expressed and embodied by the Scout Oath & the Scout Law, and to influence the Boy Scouts of America to serve and include as participating members ALL youth and adult leaders, regardless of their spiritual belief, gender and sexual orientation
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network: A national, non-profit legal services watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against the harassment of military personal affected by 'Don't ask, Don't tell' and related forms of intolerance
The Sexuality Information & Education Council of the US: A national, non-profit organization which affirms that's sexuality is a natural and healthy part of living, promotes comprehensive education about sexuality, and advocates the right of individuals to make responsible sexual choices
Families Like Mine: Dedicated to decreasing isolation for people who have parents who are LGBT, and bringing voice to the experiences of these families
Family Pride, supporting and protecting the families of LGBTQ people
Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays: A national organization that promotes the health and well-being of LGBT persons, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy
Gay Men's Health Crisis: To combine compassionate care to New Yorkers with AIDS; educate to keep people healthy; advocate for fair and effective public policies
GLBT Health Pages: An excellent site by the Seattle and King County Public Health Department
The Al-Fatiha Foundation: Dedicated to Muslims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning, those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity, and their allies, families and friends.
Prospective student, visitor to campus, otherwise unfamiliar with our campus so the list to the left means nothing to you....or do you just LOVE maps? On the main campus map, use the Layers feature to find all campus restrooms.
A Quick Reference to Gender Friendly Restrooms in Non-Residential (Academic and Administrative) Campus Buildings
Athletic and Events Center (5)
First floor, Family bathroom Second floor, Gender Neutral Accessible Second floor, in the back of the VIP Room, near the gender neutral changing room Second floor, past the track near the VIP Room, two All Gender single occupancy restrooms
Alumni Hall (2)
First Floor, 2 Gender Neutral Accessible Restrooms (to the left of the entrance)
Center for Health Sciences (2)
Third Floor, two all gender, singleoccupancy restrooms near the elevator
Cerrache
First Floor, gendered single occupancy, accessible restrooms
Dillingham Center(2)
MZ (ground) level, through main entrance to the left, down the stairs gender neutral, accessible Second floor, Room 220, through main entrance to the right, up the stairs (or elevator) and down the hall to your right, gender neutral restroom
Egbert Hall (Campus Center) (2)
Room 245 in Clark Lounge Behind Klingenstein Lounge (go through back doors)
Fitness Center (2)
Top Floor, 2 gender neutral Restrooms
Hammond Health Center (7)
Basement level, all gender, accessible restroomnear LGBT Center
A second Basement level restroomisgendered but Gender Neutral Restroom signage can be affixed as desired
First floor, 4 all gender restrooms near waiting room (2 accessible)
Second floor, gender neutral restroom located off the nurses room (includes tub)
Job Hall (1)
Room 1, to L of ITS Front Office accessible
Library (Gannet Center) (2)
Fifth Floor, 2 Gender Neutral Restrooms
Muller Faculty Center (1) First floor, near the Sociology Office, between Muller 118 and Textor 101
Office of Public Safety (2)
Immediately to the right when entering the lobby (across from the Dispatcher window)
First floor next to the elevators, accessible Third floor near the elevators, accessible
Rothschild Place (2)
coming soon! Both in the hallway near the middle of the building
Smiddy Hall (2)
Wheelchair Accessible and Gender specific single occupancy restroom on every floor 2nd floor in OT offices, across from 204 (Gender Neutral) 2nd floor in Clinic, across from 235 (Gender Neutral)
Textor Hall (1)
First floor, near the Sociology Office, between Muller 118 and Textor 101
Towers:East Tower (4)
Basement Level, to right of entrance and elevator, down hallway on left. Basement Level, to left of elevator, through door and down hallway on right. 13th floor, to the right and the left of the elevator
West Tower (2)
Basement Level, to the L of entrance, down hallway on the right near W. Tower Conference Room Basement Level, to the R of entrance, down hallway on the left
Whalen (2)
Third floor, "Artist Bathroom," next to Hockett Recital Hall, in the Hockett Green Room (which is to the left) Fourth floor "Artist Bathroom," on leftin hallway near Nabenhauer, behind Ford Hall
Williams (2)
Third Floor, two single occupancy (gendered signage), accessible restrooms
Additions?Changes?Let us know! Please email Lmaurer@ithaca.edu with any updates, changes, additions or suggestions. More info and an interactive map with all genderand single-occupancy restrooms on campus, in downtown Ithaca, and surrounding communities is available through the app Pee in Peace.
Gender-Neutral Restrooms in Ithaca College Residence Halls
EAST TOWER
Ground Floor North – Single, Half-Bath
Ground Floor South – Single, Half-Bath
8th - 13th floors -4 Single, Full-Bath (including shower), on each of these floors
EMERSON
3rd Floor Off-Lobby – Single, Half-Bath (2)
EASTMAN
1st floor by 106 - single, signed male but single occupancy
GARDEN 27
Basement Past the Mailroom – Single, Half-Bath (2)
LYON
Basement - (2 - one half bath, one with shower)
TERRACE 01
2nd Floor near 200 –Group, Full Bath
3rd Floor near 300 – Group, Full Bath
TERRACE 02
1st Floor by 100 – Single, Full Bath
2nd Floor by 200D – Single, Full Bath
3rd Floor by 300D – Group, Full Bath
TERRACE 04
1st Floor by 118 – Group, Full Bath
TERRACE 05
1st floor by 112 - Single, Full bath 2nd Floor by 200 – Single, Full Bath 2nd floor by 212 - Single, Full bath
TERRACE 06
1st Floor by 122 and 103 – Single, Half-Bath (2)
TERRACE 07
2nd Floor by 216 –Group, Full Bath (no lock)
3rd Floor by 316 –Group, Full Bath (no lock)
TERRACE 08
1st Floor by 123 and 103 – Single, Half-Bath
2nd Floor by 201 – Single, Full-Bath
3rd Floor by 302 – Single, Full-Bath
TERRACE 09
1st Floor by 104 and 122 – Single, Half-Bath
TERRACE 10
1st Floor by 104 and 123 – Single, Half-Bath
TERRACE 11
1st Floor by 122 – Single, Half-Bath
TERRACE 12
1st Floor by 123 – Single, Half-Bath
TERRACE 13
235 – Single, Half-Bath
234 – Single, Half-Bath
WEST TOWER
2nd - 13th floors - 4 Single, Full-Bath (including shower), on each of these floors
Ground Floor North – Single, Half-Bath
Ground Floor South – Single, Half-Bath
The LGBT Center was awarded a grant from the Tompkins County Health Department, Tobacco Control Coalition for a project on tobacco use prevention and cessation in Ithaca College LGBT students.
Research shows that rates of cigarette smoking among LGBT people are much higher than the general population, yet this subject is just beginning to receive attention.
The grant facilitated programming aimed at:
Increasing knowledge of the health risks for LGBT tobacco users and non users.
Increasing knowledge of ways tobacco companies target the LGBT community and create action plans to resist their tactics
Promoting quitting and preventing initiation of tobacco use among LGBT students
Special events and services on this topic - including workshops, Quit Kits, and film screenings - were provided during the grant periods, and continue to be offered periodically.
Related Videos
Sever the Ties - a short film produced by Roswell Park Cancer Center's Task Force for Tobacco-Free Women & Girls (featuring the LGBT Center staff)
Some people are understandably worried about how COVID-19 might affect us and our communities.
LGBTQ+ communities may be particularly vulnerable
LGBTQ+ people experience health disparities. Barriers to care cause us to be less likely to get medical care; and mean we're more likely to have compromised health in general. Health disparities magnify the impact COVID-19 could have on us.
These are among factors that can increase our risk:
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, and LGBTQ+ people smoke tobacco at much higher rates than our heterosexual cisgender peers.
LGBTQ+ people experience higher rates of HIV and of cancer. This means more of us may have weakened immune systems that can make us more vulnerable to COVID-19.
LGBTQ+ people regularly experience discrimination and lack of cultural competence when seeking health care. As a result, many avoid or delay seeking health care even in emergency situations.
Our amazing and diverse community also includes over 3 million LGBTQ+ elders here in the US alone. Our LGBTQ+ elders are less likely than other older folks to use health and wellness services like meal programs and senior centers due to anti-LGBTQ+discrimination and harassment. Since this virus affects older people more severely, this a serious issue for our community.
Are there any special precautions that LGBTQ+ people should take? LGBTQ+ individuals who have cancer, smoke, are HIV+, are over 65 years old, or who have another health condition should take additional steps to reduce the risk of infection. Anyone who interacts with folks in these categories - that's everybody! - should also take these additional steps:
Disinfect high touch areas regularly like doorknobs, light switches, phones and computer keyboards.
Stay home when you are sick.
Stay away from sick people.
Avoid large gatherings.
Smokers can get free cessation services by calling or visiting 1-800-QUIT NOW.
As LGBTQ+ people, we are far too familiar with discrimination and stigma - and with epidemics. We urge everyone involved in the response to COVID-19 - including treatment, education, and media coverage - to take steps to ensure LGBTQ+ communities are equitably served.
What can you do?
Appropriately serving our communities could include:
For student journalists, be aware of and include the risks facing individuals with chronic illness, a weakened immune system or who use tobacco, in your media coverage. Similarly, help stop the spread of fear and misinformation by acknowledging and addressing racism, xenophobia and bias directed at Asian and Asian American people and communities.
For students in health promotion and education, make sure health messaging includes information specifically inclusive of communities at more risk, including LGBTQ+ communities. For example, including imagery of LGBTQ+ people and LGBTQ+ symbols in graphics and educational resources. Help health providers and organizations partner with LGBTQ+ community-based organizations and LGBTQ+ community leaders to get messaging out through channels we trust.
For students in health professions, help identify welcoming providers and help LGBTQ+ people find them, if they need medical attention. Understand how to provide equal, respectful and safe care to everyone regardless of their race, ethnicity, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ability, age, national origin, or immigration status.
For students studying grant writing, public policy, business and finance, consider and assist in funding efforts for community health and social service resources that are distributed in ways that account for the additional burden anticipated by LGBTQ+ health centers and LGBTQ+ welcoming providers and services.
For students in research methods and in epidemiology, learn ways to create surveillance efforts that respectfully and accurately capture sexual orientation and gender identity as part of routine demographic data collection.
For everyone:
Be sure to help LGBTQ+ health and community leaders, along with all health care providers and community leaders, get timely and accurate information to share with our communities.
Be aware of and center the most vulnerable members of our LGBTQ+ communities: our elders, Black and brown transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming people, bi people, people who are incarcerated or detained, people who are undocumented. Know and practice how to act in solidarity in everyday interactions, and within your area of study. Learn more about why Black LGBTQ/SGL people should be concerned, from the National Black Justice Coalition.
Asian and Asian American communities are being heavily impacted by racism, xenophobia, misinformation and hate. Know and practice how to act in solidarity in everyday interactions, and within your area of study.
Let's learn from history and not allow any community or individual to be disproportionately affected or stigmatized by a virus.
We are grateful for national leaders and organizations who prepared the information and open letter from which this info was adapted, including the National LGBT Cancer Network and GLMA.
COVID-19 and Sexual Health
Safer Sex in the time of COVID-19, from the New York City Department of Health
You are your safest sex partner.
The next safest partner is someone you live with.
Having close contact — including sex — with only a small circle of people helps prevent spreading COVID-19.
You should avoid close contact — including sex — with anyone outside your household.
If you do have sex with others, have as few partners as possible.
If you usually meet your sex partners online or make a living by having sex, consider taking a break from in-person dates. Video dates, sexting or chat rooms may be options for you.
Remember: There may be things you will need specifically if you or a loved one is trans, such as:
Sufficient supply of hormones and syringes
Vaginal dilators or other medical items
Specific grooming or beauty items: razors, make-up, wigs, binders, packing equipment, etc.
Note: Chest binding does not increase one’s odds of getting sick with COVID19. If you get any respiratory illness, do not wear a binder so tight it reduces chest capacity. Here are some helpful guidelines for chest binding amid COVID-19.
When possible and applicable, make sure you have access to legal documents, IDs and prescriptions
Many transgender people are now finding out that their vital gender affirming surgeries have been postponed due to COVID-19 and the strain it is putting on health care facilities, clinicians and supplies.We know how much work you had to do to be able to schedule this medically necessary care, and that postponing your surgeries will pose additional questions, hardships, and despair. Please reach out for support through these resources.
Additional ways LGBTQ people may be at risk, from HRC analysis
Many LGBTQ people work in the most affected jobs Jobs that are heavily impacted right now by COVID-19 related issues - restaurants, retail, hospitals, education - make up 40 percent of the positions in which all LGBTQ people work. Because we're more like to be employed in these jobs, we're more likely to be exposed to the virus through work, and to be at more risk of being laid off.That's5 million LGBTQ Americans working in jobs where they're more likely to sustain health risks and financial risks. Only 22% of all cisgender heterosexual people work in these same fields.
Poverty prevalence More than one in five LGBTQ adults in the United States experiences poverty, compared to about 16%of heterosexual cisgender people. Within LGBTQ communities, some are even more likely to experience poverty including
transgender people(29%)
bisexual cisgender women (29%), and
Black (40%) and Latinx (45%) transgender people.
Lack of Health insurance Seventeen percent of LGBTQ adults do not have any health insurance coverage, compared to twelve percent of cisgender heterosexual adults. Again, within LGBTQ communities, some people are even more likely to lack health coverage, including
Twenty three percent of LGBTQ people of color
twenty two percent of transgender adults, and
thirty two percent of transgender adults of color.
This can lead to delaying or going without medically necessary care. It can also cause extreme financial hardship when medical care is required.
Inequities in Paid Leave Many people in the nation do not have paid leave from their workplace. LGBTQ people face additional barriers and inequities because of this. Still today, may workplace policies do not extend paid leave equitably across gender. Many also don't take into account the ways people build their families (through birth, adoption and foster care). For LGBTQ people who do have paid leave available through their workplace, a significant number worry that in order to use this leave they'd have to share their LGBTQ identity or relationship status - and risk workplace discrimination and even being fired. When it comes to COVID-19, this means they might not be able to take time off to take care of themselves or their family and reduce the spread of illness.
LGBTQ youth homelessness LGBTQ youth are more likely than cisgender heterosexual youth to experience housing insecurity or live in foster care, often because of family rejection.
During the week of March 21, 2020, 3,283,000 workers filed unemployment claims in the US (U.S. Dep’t of Labor, Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims, Mar. 26, 2020). Analysis of Gallup Daily tracking survey data indicates that 8.9% of the unemployed workforce identifies as LGBT. Applying this percentage to the number of unemployment claims filed indicates that 292,000 LGBT adults are currently unemployed and applied for financial assistance. This is a low estimate since research suggests that LGBT workers are overrepresented in industries most heavily impacted by the pandemic, including arts, entertainment, transportation, warehousing, food service, and other fields.
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a viral infection that anyone can get. It spreads though close physical contact. This includes direct contact with monkeypox sores, respiratory droplets/oral fluids from someone who is infected, and through objects or fabrics that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
Most Common Symptoms:
Rashes, bumps, or blisters that appear on or around your genitals, hands, feet, chest, and face.
Flulike Symptoms including:
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Chills
Fatigue
Why College Students are at risk:
Close physical contact
Shared clothes and fabrics
Sexual activity
What To Do:
Are you feeling sick? Do you have a rash that is new? Are you generally just nervous? Here's what you should do...
Contact your health provider
Talk to your sexual partners.
Avoid skin-to-skin contact
Monkeypox Facts
Monkeypox is contagious from the start of symptoms until the rash is entirely healed. According to the CDC isolation should be continued until all lesions have resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.
Skin-to-skin contact is not the only way that Monkeypox can be transmitted? While skin-to-skin contact is one way to get monkeypox, it can also be spread through respiratory droplets during prolonged face to face contact, and contact with items such as clothing, towels or linens that were previously in contact with the rash or body fluids.
If you are experiencing even one of the symptoms of monkeypox you should make an appointment with your doctor. In order to keep our community safe, it is important that you make an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: a rash, fever, headache, muscle aches/backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion.
Sign up for the NYS Monkeypox text alert!
New Yorkers can sign-up for monkeypox text alerts from New York State by texting “MONKEYPOX” to 81336 or “MONKEYPOXESP” for texts in Spanish. By providing a zip code, New Yorkers can also opt-in for location-based messages, which may include information on vaccines and care in your area.
