The LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff Affinity Group hosts regular informal social gatherings, professional development events, and working group meetings to discuss campus issues affecting the community.
Mission
This group was launched in the summer of 2016 by two administrators, Jan Rinehart and Jonna Iacono, with the goal to create a safer space for professional development and community-building among LGBTQA+-identified staff and faculty.
The purpose of the LGBTQA+ affinity group is to provide personal and professional opportunities that will encourage faculty and staff within the LGBTQA+ community to become more fulfilled members of the Northeastern University community.
Resources for LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff
LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff Listserv provides regular notices about socials, events, and meetings relevant to the interests of the group.
LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff on Microsoft Teams provides a venue for casual conversation and connection across the global campus.
LGBTQA Resource Center provides information, support and other resources for Northeastern University LGBTQA+ students and their allies.
Frequently Asked Questions for LGBTQA+ Staff
Health Benefits & Insurance
I am not married to my partner. Can they receive health benefits?
Yes! Northeastern offers Domestic Partner coverage for those that qualify. The definition of eligibility can be found on the Domestic Partner Certification form:
Please note that there are tax implications for adding health care coverage for your domestic partner.
I am interested in learning more about Trans Health Coverage via Blue Cross Blue Shield at Northeastern.
In compliance with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance Bulletin regarding Transgender Health Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) provides several gender confirming options to those whom they insure.
- Generally, all treatment and services provided under a diagnosis of gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder will require prior authorization by a third-party licensed medical provider to verify that the treatment or service is medically necessary. Please discuss this with your medical provider or PCP to understand the timeline and options.
- BCBSMA lists all available surgical gender confirmation procedures in this document: Transgender Services. This document outlines the qualifying criteria and detailed medical coding information.
Processing a Name and/or Gender Marker Change
Employees can use a chosen name instead of their legal name for most university systems. Information on changing your chosen name or updating your legal name can be found on the HR Service Center.
Finding Community on Campus
Are there opportunities to connect with other LGBTQA+ faculty & staff?
Yes! The LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff Affinity Group hosts regular social gatherings, and meetings to address campus issues. All gatherings are announced via the group’s listserv. To self-subscribe to the listserv for announcements, fill out the signup form and select “LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff.”
Who can I contact if I have questions about being an LGBTQA+ employee at Northeastern?
- Join the LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff Affinity Group on Microsoft Teams to connect with employees across the global network!
- If you would prefer a more one-on-one discussion, feel free to contact one of the Affinity Group Steering Committee members below.
To get involved, please contact diversity@northeastern.edu
Affinity Group Leadership
Lead Data Scientist, Experiential Digital Global Education (EDGE)
I work to build and maintain the data infrastructure for a growing portfolio of digital learning programs at Northeastern. Principal objectives for my data and reporting include improving learner satisfaction, tracking outcomes, tweaking course design, and informing key business decisions.
Associate Teaching Professor
Gary Cantrell (he/him) is an associate teaching professor at the Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University. He teaches classes on foundational computer science, software engineering principles, security, and digital forensics.
g.cantrell@northeastern.edu
Director of Fund Management
As part of the Advancement Division, David Hough (he/him) heads the Fund Management team which works with donors who are looking to make a gift to establish a restricted fund. They make sure the funds are set up properly to capture the donor’s intent, and then work with our colleagues in Donor Relations to ensure that the colleges and departments are spending the funds in accordance with the terms.
Librarian
Anaya (she/her) is the Accessibility and Online Learning Librarian at Northeastern University Library. She works to improve the accessibility of library instructional content and supports Analytics, Digital Media and Informatics research.
First Year Navigator and Part Time Lecturer, College of Professional Studies
Teaching Professor
Luke Landherr (he/they), Teaching Professor, Chemical Engineering. My role involves helping to connect faculty to overall efforts provided by the committee.
Claire Ogden
Communications Specialist
Claire (she/they) is the Communications Specialist for the Center for the Arts and the Center for Communication, Media Innovation and Social Change (CCMISC). She is also a freelance arts reporter in Somerville. In her free time, she loves to read, bike around Boston, and watch documentary films.
Lura Slowinski
Project Manager, PROTECT Center
Lura (they/them) manages operations, events, and grant reporting for the PROTECT Research Center in the College of Engineering.
l.slowinski@northeastern.edu