LGBTQ+ Resources for Employees

Visit the How To Enroll page for links to information about life events that impact your benefits, such as:

• Marriage / Domestic Partnership  
• Divorce / Dissolution of Partnership
• Birth / Adoption / Legal Custody of Child
• Adoption Assistance Program 

Endowed health plans cover benefits for transgender, transsexual, and gender noncomforming enrollees.  Coverage includes therapy and certain medical procedures related to gender identity confirmation procedures.  To learn more, refer to the Schedule of Benefits or Addendum in the Summary Plan Description of your health plan: CPHL,   HSA,  WCM-PPO.

Also see: Transgender Resources

• How To Change Your Name
• Your NetID can be changed only after you have submitted your name change request to Human Resources and they have processed your request. More information.
• An employee must go to their local HR person to change their gender marker. No documentation is necessary.
• Cornell students, faculty, and staff may edit other settings in the Cornell directory in Who I Am and/or Workday.
• Also see
  • Cornell University Transgender Guide to Transitioning & Gender Affirmation in the Workplace
  • Transgender Resources

Click here for instructions. For questions related to LGBT issues, contact the Department of Inclusion and Belonging at inclusion@cornell.edu or the LGBT Resource Center at lgbtrc@cornell.edu.  Questions related about how to make updates in Workday can be directed to the help desk at hrpayrollsupport@cornell.edu.

The LGBT Resource Center and the Department of Inclusion and Workforce Diversity encourage employees to update your Workday profile with the optional Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity field. This information is confidential (visible only to certain college or unit human resources representatives), and is used to help HR better understand and create resources for our workforce. The employee has sole access to add or update this field. Please note that this field is separate from Legal Gender, which is also located in the Personal Information area; contact your HR representative to update the Legal Gender field.

The LGBT Resource Center at Cornell provides resources on the legal name change process in Tompkins county, as well as the process for changing other identity documents with name and gender marker (driver's license, passport, birth certificate, etc). Resources for students changing their name or identity documents in other states are also available. See the Know-How Booklet and Forms  for information on changing your name and gender marker on important identity documents.

CNGs are university-sponsored employee resource groups for diverse populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, differently abled, young professionals, LGBTQ, and veterans, and allies of those groups. The groups provide programs that enhance the university culture by fully engaging all our faculty and staff. Each group advocates for a specific demographic within the Cornell faculty and staff community—to aid in recruitment and retention efforts, as well as improve the climate for the community as a whole.

LGBT Colleague Network Group

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center coordinates the efforts of the entire Cornell community to ensure the inclusion of all lesbian, gay, bisexual,  transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQQIA) individuals and works to eliminate discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. The LGBT Resource Center affirms LGBTQQIA+ identities and lives, and provides education, outreach, advocacy, and support. The LGBT Resource Center is also the home of over 20 undergraduate and graduate student organizations and serves as a community center and gathering space for LGBTQQIA+ students, staff, and faculty. Allies are always welcome!

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center

An interactive e-list which distributes information and resources among Cornell LGBT families. For instructions on joining or subscribing to an e-list, visit the Cornell Information Technologies website. See other Cornell email lists.

LGBT Families Email List

The Advocacy Center Provides supportive services to youth and adults in Tompkins County New York who have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence. Services include: 24 hour hotline, emotional support, help with police or courts, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program, and emergency shelter.

Rainbow Support LGBTQIA Support Group Weekly meetings for adults 18 years and older, providing a safe place to talk about topics concerning gender identity and sexuality. Email Cai at ckelly@mhaedu.org for more information.

Southern Tier AIDS Program Services focus on the health and well-being of HIV+ persons and incorporate a harm reduction perspective and recognize that behavior change is a gradual process.

Out for Health Provides healthcare information, education and outreach in an LGBT friendly setting. Out for Health is part of Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes - LGBT Health and Wellness Project. Provides local trans* resources as well.

Gay Alliance The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley is a Champion for LGBTQ Life and Culture. We envision a future where all members of the greater Rochester LGBTQ communities, at all stages of their lives, are free to be fully participating citizens, celebrating their lives in which they are safe, stable and fully respected.

Ithaca Transgender GroupA confidential, peer-led support group.

Tompkins County LGBT Youth GroupContact Maureen Kelly at maureen.kelly@ppsfl.org(link sends e-mail) or (607) 216-0021 x134.

Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Ithaca-Cortland   PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of GLBT persons, their families and friends by providing an opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity.Interfaith Center on Sundays 4:00 p.m.7 Calvert StreetCortland, NY 13045

Ithaca LGBTQ History Walking TourDid you know that Ithaca:• is the site of one of the 1st public declarations of the American bisexual movement• played a crucial role in marriage equality• was one of the 1st cities in the US to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation• is where one of the 1st student-organized sit-ins for LGBTQ rights took place. ...and more!Ithaca and Tompkins County hold unique and meaningful roles in local LGBTQ history and culture, as well as in the national LGBTQ rights movement and for communities across the globe.

• Faculty & Staff Assistance Program provides free counseling services to benefits-eligible employees and retirees, and their spouses/partners. 24/7 number for urgent concerns: 607-255-2673
• Cornell employees and family members can also receive free counseling from eni Confidential Counseling Services (not affiliated with Cornell).
• Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860  (includes Spanish speakers too)
• Crisis Text line: Text Home to 741741 or Steve to 741741 (matched with volunteers of color)
• The Network/la Red: Interpersonal Violence Hotline for LGBTQ people and those involved in Kink and/or Poly affiliated communities): 800-832-1901    (includes Spanish speakers too)
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) : 800-656-4673 (also offers live chat)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline :  800-273-8255

• Finger Lakes PULSE
• Ithaca LGBTQIA+ Pride!

• First Baptist Church
• First Congregational Church
• St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
• St. Luke Lutheran
• First Unitarian Society