Guttman Community College has joined the CUNY LGBTQI+ Consortium. The Consortium offers funding to CUNY campuses to support LGBTQ+ programming and is made possible through the generous support of LaGuardia Community College/CUNY and the New York City Council through the offices of former member Daniel Dromm and former Speaker Corey Johnson.
Christopher Roth (Associate Director of Academic Technology) and Yolelda Ira (Administrative Coordinator) of the Division of Academic Affairs – Office of the Provost, submitted a proposal and were granted funding to organize programming for students, faculty, and staff on campus during the Spring 2022 term. Roth and Ira have previously served together as co-chairs of LGBTQ+ History Month and Black History Month at the college.
The kickoff event included a welcome back to campus celebration with New York City’s own drag artists Peachez Iman Cummings and Lexington Banks. The duo hosted trivia and led discussion and engagement around LGBTQ+ history, drag culture, and the importance and impact of social justice.
Chloe O. Davis, Broadway performer and debut author of The Queens’ English, The Dictionary for LGBTQIA+ Lingo and Colloquial Phrases, guided a conversation around the diversity and intersectionality within LGBTQ+ culture, the importance of empowering queer identity, and bringing visibility and understanding to queerness, gayness, Blackness, and transness.
Dominican-American actor and dancer Jason Anthony Rodriguez instructed a lesson in the fundamentals of vogue and the rich history of ballroom culture. The New York City native co-starred on the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated show Pose as Lemar Wintour, also serving as the Movement Coach and Choreographer for Season 2.
To celebrate Pride Month, the inaugural “Lavender Celebration” honored Guttman’s LGBTQ+ and Ally students’ achievements and contributions to the college. Dr. Ronni Sanlo, who served at the events keynote speaker, organized the first celebration in 1995 at the University of Michigan with three graduates after being denied access to attend her own children’s graduations due to her sexual orientation and wanted LGBTQ+ students to have a positive and affirming last impression of their college experience. President Dr. Larry Johnson, Jr. and Interim Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Nicola Blake addressed the participants. The event also included an informative presentation of important historical events in LGBTQ+ history and graduating students were gifted with rainbow tassels.
“Our initiative to create more programming on campus ensures the visibility and inclusion of the entire spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community and creates safe and affirming spaces for learning about our history and culture” explained Roth. With the support of President Johnson, Provost Blake, Executive Officer for Diversity, Equity, Compliance Jaclyn Helms, Esq., CUNY LGBTQI+ Consortium Director Dr. Allie Brashears (LaGuardia Community College), and CUNY LGBTQI+ Consortium Associate Director JC Carlson (Queens College), the events were a great success in engaging the community with LGBTQ+ issues and awareness.
