LGBTQIA+ Services at Lehman The Safe Zone Initiative: An Ally Community Community-Based Resources

LGBTQIA+Services at Lehman

• Lehman College is home to a diverse and engaged community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and allied students, staff, and faculty. Here students will find ways to connect with this community and get information they may need.
• Lehman College Counseling Center works to foster the academic success and personal growth of LGBTQIA+ students, and to offer college-wide services to enhance the campus community's understanding and appreciation of LGBTQIA+ people and themselves.
• The LGBTQIA+ Hub is a CUNY-wide initiative that includes information about campus events, LGBTQIA+ studies, leadership programs, and more.

LGBTQIA+ Community and the Counseling Center

• The Counseling Center is a safe space for anyone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, or anyone who is questioning their own sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Students are encouraged to come in to talk with any of the Center's counselors to help with the journey of identity formation, sexuality and gender.
• For LGBTQIA+ affirmative mental health care, see page 5 of our Mental Health Community Resources guide.

For more online resources:

• It Gets Better Project: videos of support by teens, adults and celebrities
• Trevor Support Center: information, answers to FAQs, and support

Training Services Available

We provide training and workshops on a variety of issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and the LGBTQIA+ community including workshops about stigma and violence, adolescent development, and the "coming out" process. If you are looking for a speaker for a class or a club, or professional development training, contact us.

The Safe Zone Initiative: An Ally Community

The "Safe Zone" Initiative

In January 2009, the Counseling Center and the Rainbow Alliance (Now “Crystal Queer”) launched a campus-wide "Safe Zone" project to increase the visibility of LGBT allies throughout the Lehman campus. People who identified themselves as LGBTQIA+ or who are active allies of the LGBTQIA+ community were asked to participate by attending an initial training workshop. They were then asked to wear or post the "Safe Zone" graphic and to visibly identify themselves on campus as people who are educated about sexual orientation and gender identity, and who oppose bigotry and hatred directed at LGBTQIA+ people. Safe Zone stickers, posters, and buttons can be seen throughout the campus.

How To Join

It's easy to become a member of the "Safe Zone" community:

• Attend a "Safe Zone" one-hour training workshop
• Receive Safe Zone materials to make yourself visible to the community along with a resource guide
• Safe Zone trainings are held each semester and upon request; workshops are offered for staff and students separately. Contact us to schedule.

The training workshop ensures that all community members have a common level of basic knowledge and the tools needed to be an effective “safe” person for LGBTQIA+ students and people who are questioning their own sexual orientation or gender identity.

The training covers the following topics:

• Affirming language and vocabulary for talking about sexuality and gender identity
• The prevalence of homophobic harassment and what you can do to stop it
• The "Coming-Out" process and how you can help
• Where to find on-campus help and LGBTQIA+ community resources

See the website for more details

Community Based Resources/Services

In the Bronx

Destination Tomorrow
Drop-in center, Support groups, supportive housing, food pantry, advocacy and programs
452 E. 149th St 3rd Floor
1-833-DT4-LGBT

Callen-Lorde Bronx
Free or low cost health care and counseling
3144 Third Ave
718-215-1800

Bronx Center Planned Parenthood
Free or low cost health care and hormone therapy
349 E 149th Street, 2nd Floor (next to Citibank)
212-965-7000

For 60+

SAGE Center Bronx at Crotona Pride House
1784 Prospect Ave.
718-960-3337
Email: jcollazo@sageusa.org

In Manhattan & Other Locations:
Comprehensive and up-to-date directory of LGBTQIA+ services and organizations in New York City  at New York City Comptroller's Office.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center
The LGBT Center, or "The Center," provides over 27 different programs including free and low cost counseling, support groups, youth programming, family supports and cultural, recreational and political events. Over 300 groups meet at the Center each month.
208 West 13 Street
New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-620-7310

The Audre Lorde Project
The Audre Lorde Project (ALP) is a Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two-Spirit, and Transgender (LGBTST) People of Color Communities. Call for program information and schedule.
147 West 24 Street, 3rd Floor
NY,NY 10011
Phone: 212-463-0342
Fax: 212-463-0344
           OR
85 South Oxford Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: 212-463-0342
Fax:212-463-0344

Gay Men's Health Crisis
GMHC provides HIV/AIDS-related services including education, print and video materials, women's initiative, peer counseling services, support groups, financial advocacy, recreation and meal programs, legal services, and seminars.
307 West 38 Street
NY, NY 10018
Phone: 212-367-1000
Hotline: 212-807-6655 or 800-243-7692
Email: cubb@gmhc.org

Identity House
Identity House provides peer counseling and therapy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and all other adults who are struggling with issues of sexuality, alienation, relationships and family. They also sponsor groups, workshops, and other events.
PO Box 829
Murray Hill Station
NY, NY 10156
Phone: 212-243-8181

Metropolitan Community Church of New York
Church of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community; holds worship services and Sunday school, offers counseling, holy unions, a food pantry and other services.
446 West 36 Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues)
NY, NY 10018
Phone: 212-629-7440

Michael Callen-Audre Lorde Community Health Center
General medical, dental, and mental health services; transgender and youth programs; STI and HIV Testing
356 West 18th Street (between 8th & 9th Ave.)
NY, NY 10011
212-271-7200

New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project
AVP serves lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and HIV-positive victims of violence and others affected by violence, by providing therapeutic counseling and advocacy within the criminal justice system and victim support agencies, information for self-help, referrals to practicing professionals, and other sources of assistance. Services are free and confidential.
116 Nassau Street, 3rd Floor
NY, NY 10038
212-714-1184
HOTLINE (24-hour): 212-714-1141
twitter:@antiviolence

Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG)
P-FLAG is a national organization made up of local chapters offering peer-based support to families when a son or daughter or other family member is coming out as LGBT. For information about meetings specifically for Families of Color, with support offered in Spanish, visit their website.
130 East 25 Street Suite M1
NY, NY 10010
646-240-4288
Email: info@pflagnyc.org
Twitter: twitter.com/pflagnyc

FIERCE NYC  (LGBTQIA+ Youth of Color organization)
“FIERCE is a membership-based organization building the leadership and power of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQIA+) youth of color in New York City. We develop politically conscious leaders who are invested in improving ourselves and our communities through youth-led campaigns, leadership development programs, and cultural expression through arts and media. FIERCE is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of social justice movement leaders who are dedicated to ending all forms of oppression.”

The FIERCE office is open for drop-in hours for LGBTQIA+ youth of color (ages 13-24) Monday through Friday from 4:00 – 8:00pm.
147 West 24th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10011
Phone: 646-336-6789
Fax: 646-336-6788
           OR
2427 Morris Avenue
Bronx, NY 10468
929-246-5273
Email: info@fiercenyc.org

Latino LGBT Organizations in New York City

Hispanic AIDS Forum (HAF)
HAF's mission is to improve health outcomes for Latinos in New York City who are affected by HIV and other chronic illnesses. HAF fulfills this mission by integrating prevention and education into a set of multi-faceted wellness programs.

Manhattan #: 212-563-4500
Bronx#: 718-328-4188

Latino Commission on AIDS (La Comision Latina sobre el SIDA)
Free and confidential HIV testing
212-675-3288

African / Caribbean Americans LGBT Organization in New York City

Gay Men of African Descent, Inc. (GMAD)
Mission is to empower gay men of African descent through education, advocacy, health and wellness promotion and social support.

Hotlines

Gay and Lesbian National Hotline

Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
Monday through Friday, from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., and Saturdays, from 12-5 p.m. Phone numbers: 888-843-4564 or 212-989-0999.

LIFENET (counseling)

1-800-543-3638 English
1-877-293-3373 Spanish
1-877-990-8585 Cantonese and Mandarin
1-212-982-5284 Deaf/Hearing Impaired

Samaritans Suicide Hotline:

Hotline: 212-673-3000

The Trevor Project Hotline for LGBT Youth

Phone: Trevor Life Line: 1-866-488-7386
Website: www.thetrevorproject.org