On-Campus Resources for the LGBTQ Community

2019 safezone trainersOffice of LGBTQ Programs and Services

The Office of LGBTQ Programs and Services coordinates inclusive efforts designed to create a supportive campus environment that recognizes, appreciates, and affirms sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. 

Charlotte Wade, Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs for LGBTQ+ Life

Charlotte Wade, LGBTQ+ Programs and Services CoordinatorCharlotte Wade joined the Center for Community as Coordinator of LGBTQ Programs and Services in 2020 and in 2021 became the Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs for LGBTQ+ Life.  Charlotte is happy to support students, faculty, and staff that have questions or concerns related to Geneseo and LGBTQ+ identities.

Contact Information

cwade@geneseo.edu
MacVittie Union 348
585-245-6237

LGBTQ+ Resource Center

The  LGBTQ+ Resource Center is currently closed for reconstruction of Sturges Hall. Reopening and or relocation will be posted once known.

Department of Student Health & Counseling

The Health & Counseling staff recognizes and appreciates the diversity of Geneseo’s student body and their health care needs. Our entire staff has participated in Safe Zone training to assist us with providing services in a way that is sensitive to the concerns of LGBTQIA students; many staff members have had additional diversity training as well. Our services are available to ALL students. We do not discriminate in our service, delivery, hiring, or other policies/procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

To schedule an appointment with Health Services, call (585) 245 - 5736 or schedule an appointment online.
To schedule an appointment with Counseling Services, call (585) 245 - 5716.
Business hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm

Pathways Peer Advocacy

Pathways is a confidential peer-to-peer based program that began during the fall 2011 semester. Peer advocates are student volunteers who successfully completed intensive training in helping skills. Peer Advocates offer support and referral information to students managing various challenges, including concerns about stress, academic issues, and social relationships or situations. For more information, visit the Pathways website.

Call (585)-237-8860 between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. any day of the week to reach a Pathways Peer Advocate. 

Pillar Advocacy Program

Pillar is a network for LGBTQ+ and Ally student in Greek Life. Through Pillar, students can connect with one another across affiliations for networking, socialization, and support. Additionally, LGBTQ+ students interested in learning more about fraternities and sororities at Geneseo can connect with Pillar advocates who can provide insight and personal experience with recruitment and membership. The Pillar website also serves as a resource for students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni looking for information on LGBTQ+ resources. It focuses on fraternity/sorority life, educational programming (such as Safe Zone), and organizations with transgender inclusive membership policies.

Preferred Name Change

At this time, transgender students may petition the Dean of Students to have their preferred name appear in place of their legal name in certain situations in the college experience. Please visit the Preferred Name Process page for more information on how to utilize this policy. 

The Office of LGBTQ Programs and Services may be able to assist students in purchasing a new Student ID for those that have completed the Preferred Name Change Process. Please contact the Coordinator of LGBTQ Programs and Services for more information.

All Gender Restrooms

Also commonly referred to as Gender-Neutral Restrooms, beginning in 2015. SUNY Geneseo is now in phase 2 of ensuring accessible restrooms all over campus regardless of gender identity, biological sex, or sexual orientation.  You can find out more about All Gender restrooms here, and a campus map is linked on that page to show where All Gender Restrooms can be found on campus.

Residential Living

For any issues for students who are already living on campus, your first stop can be your Area Coordinator (AC). These professional staff members are responsible for the administration of each of the residence halls. Having been Safe Zone trained and with experience in crisis response, ACs are particularly sensitive to the needs of residential students. If you don't know who your AC is, you can find them on the page of Residence Life Staff.

All-Gender Housing is a housing option currently offered in the suite-styled Genesee Hall, suite-styled Suffolk Hall,  and corridor-styled Putnam Hall, in addition to all A-Section of other North Campus suite-styled buildings (Allegany, Erie, Ontario, Wyoming). All-Gender Housing is a living experience that allows students to live with one another regardless of their gender identity and is meant to allow students to feel entirely comfortable living with whomever they'd like. For more information on All-Gender Housing, current students and incoming students can contact Taylor Gale, Assistant Director of Residence Life for Housing Operations, at gale@geneseo.edu . 

For concerns about your living experience that have not been adequately addressed by your AC, or Assistant Director Taylor Gale,  you are welcome to contact Director of Residence Life, Sarah Frank, by emailing frank@geneseo.edu or calling (585) 245-5726.

Academic Courses

Please contact your major department to inquire about courses, or visit the Women and Gender Studies Courses page for information about their course offerings.

Coordinator: Professor Melanie Blood, blood@geneseo.edu.

Safe Zone Training

Want to get your department, unit or student group trained in LGBTQ+ Issues? Contact Safe Zone Facilitators to request a Safe Zone training.

See this sticker somewhere? 

Geneseo Safe Zone sticker with rainbow triangle background  

This sticker means that individual has undergone Safe Zone training and is ready and willing to be an ally to LGBTQ individuals.

If you are a student interested in applying to become a Safe Zone Trainer, please click the button below.

Apply for the Student Safe Zone Trainer Program

LGBTQ Issues Working Group

This committee of students, faculty & staff examines issues relevant to LGBTQ students. Fore more information on the committee and its members, please visit the LGBTQ+ Working Group page.

Student Organizations on Campus

Geneseo Pride Alliance

Geneseo Pride Alliance is an SA-funded organization at SUNY Geneseo. Their main purpose is the promotion of education and community both within the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities as well with straight allies. The group holds weekly meetings as well as various other events on campus. Meetings are Thursdays at 8pm, in the Hunt Room in the College Union. Officers all have weekly office hours in Union 308; check the door for the schedule, it changes every semester. These hours are open to any student with any kind of question. Email Geneseo Pride Alliance at pride@geneseo.edu. Advisor: Daniel Jacques, jacques@geneseo.edu

Women’s Action Coalition

Women's Action Coalition is an SA-funded group that works towards equality for people of all genders. Email: wacsg@geneseo.edu

Selected Off Campus Resources

Out Alliance of the Genesee Valley www.gayalliance.org
Based in Rochester, OAGV is a non-profit agency dedicated to the eradication of heterosexism and homophobia and the empowerment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

The Trevor Project - www.thetrevorproject.org; 24/7 helpline: 1-866-488-7386
The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources. This includes our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.

Everybody’s Good - everybodysgood.com
This web site celebrates LGBT life and health. It includes information on both the physical and spiritual health of LGBT persons as well links to resources in the Rochester area.

Parents Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays - community.pflag.org
PFLAG is an excellent site for supporters of lesbian, gay, and transgender individuals; it includes information on support, education, and advocacy.

Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere - www.colage.org
Designed for both young and old children of a lesbian or gay parent/parents, COLAGE provides both information and volunteer opportunities.

Lynn Conway, a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), created this web site to share positive profiles of transgender people. Includes various helpful resources and translations into over 15 languages.

HIV/AIDS Tribe - www.hivaidstribe.com
This free HIV/AIDS support community offers information, therapist blogs, a forum, and more.

Campus Pride - www.campuspride.org
Resources, events and research on creating safer college environments for LGBTQ students

Gay and Lesbian National Hotline - glnh.org or 888-843-4564
Counseling, education and resources for all ages

GLAAD - Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; www.glaad.ord
Works to create LGBTQ equality and to create cultural change through media and cultural institutions.

HRC - Human Rights Campaign; www.hrc.org
Educational material and resources working towards LGB equality, including state maps of current laws and policies.

The Self Made Men -
The Self Made Men is a tool used to serve the transgender male community based out of Rochester, NY. Their mission is to support and mentor other transgender men as a resource to transitioning and dealing with everyday life. They have a Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TheSelfMadeMen

TSER - Trans Student Equality Resources -  transstudent.org
Resources, education, and networking improving the school environment for trans and gender nonconforming students