LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff

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.

LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff Listserv provides regular notices about socials, events,  and meetings relevant to the interests of the group.

LGBTQA Resource Center provides information, support and other resources for Northeastern University LGBTQA+ students and their allies.

For the Trans* Community site hosts information on Name Changes, Gender Neutral Housing relevant to students on campus.

Gender Neutral Restroom Map

Employee Assistance Program, provided by e4health, offers free professional and confidential services to support employees with emotional well-being, family and caregiving needs, daily living services and resources, health and wellness resources.

Medical, Dental and Life Insurance Medical, Dental and Life Insurance policies include coverage for unmarried, domestic partners after an eligible employee completes and returns the Domestic Partner Certification Form to Human Resources Management.

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:

• Domestic Partner Certification Form

Please note that there are tax implications for adding health care coverage for your domestic partner.

I am a nursing parent, is there access to lactation room space on campus?

Yes! Northeastern provides lactation room spaces on campus for birth and non-birth nursing employees. Please visit our Lactation Spaces Resource page for information on accessing lactation spaces.

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.
• All BCBSMA medical plans available from Northeastern will cover hormone replacement therapy, but levels of coverage will vary depending on which plan you are enrolled in and which method of HRT you choose. Generally, coverage is provided under the standard prescription coverage found in your Member portal on bluecrossma.com.
• BCBSMA lists all available surgical gender confirmation procedures in this document: Transgender Services. This document outlines the qualifying criteria and detailed medical coding information.

For general information and resources regarding LGBQ and transgender healthcare and insurance coverage see the following links:

http://www.masstpc.org/issues/health-care/

http://www.transequality.org/know-your-rights/healthcare

http://fenwayhealth.org/care/medical/transgender-health/

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions for Patients

Talking to Your Healthcare Provider about Being LGBT

Talking to Your Healthcare Provider About Being LGBTQ for Youth

I would like a first-hand account of how to best navigate the Trans Health Coverage processes.

Based on feedback from Northeastern employee experiences, here are some tips to help navigate the process:

• You can specifically request to work with a BCBSMA customer service agent who has been trained in gender identity concerns when calling or contacting BCBSMA.
• Avoid assuming that any procedure or care service is covered, even if the coverage document outlines it; always ask for information about necessary prior authorizations for coverage of any procedure or care.
• Medical coding practices differ between providers and these codes often determine what is considered “medically necessary,” and thus what will or will not be covered by BCBSMA. Even if BCBSMA provides you with a pre-authorization for a treatment or service, the provider of that treatment or service may use billing codes that result in only partial coverage of the total cost. You can ask your doctor, surgeon or another medical service provider for their coding practices, or have a BCBSMA representative call them to confirm. Many knowledgeable providers in Boston will know about these gaps and can share about how it has worked for past patients with similar health plans so that you can be properly informed of ALL costs.

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Processing a Name and/or Gender Marker Change

What are my options for using a name other than my legal name as an employee at Northeastern

HRM is required by law to hire employees using their legal name.  Legal name is used for I-9’s, W-2’s, Health Benefits, etc.

If an employee would like to be known as a different name, there are 2 choices:

• If you only want to see a change reflected in your first name >  Log into myNortheastern, click on Services and Links, select Self-Service and update your preferred first name.
  • This preferred first name will be reflected in Outlook, Employee Directory, SharePoint, Time Tracking and a series of other University systems.
• If you want to use your professional name (which is typically a different LAST name, but could be FIRST and/or LAST), call or email HRM (617-373-2230 or HRMInfo@northeastern.edu) and request a professional name.
  • The professional name will be reflected in more systems:  Outlook, Employee Directory, SharePoint, Time Tracking, NUOnline, Digital Measures, COEUS – Grant Administration, Enterprise Blackboard.

How can I change my legal name and/or gender marker at Northeastern?

• To process your legal name and/or gender marker change at Northeastern, please fill out this form: http://www.northeastern.edu/hrm/pdfs/hr-payroll/PersonalInfoForm1_2015.pdf and return it with a legal name change order, an updated Social Security card or updated photo ID. Please note, you do not currently need documentation to update your gender marker.

How can I change my legal name and/or gender marker in Massachusetts?

• For a comprehensive guide on how to process a legal name and gender marker changes in Massachusetts visit: http://www.masstpc.org/get-help/identity-documents/.
• Please visit https://www.transequality.org/documents for guides on legal name and gender marker changes in Washington (Seattle Campus), North Carolina (Charlotte Campus), and any other U.S. state or territory.

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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 click here. <http://www.northeastern.edu/odei/resources/lgbtqa/>

Are there LGBTQA+ classes, courses, events, speakers I can attend?

Yes! The LGBTQA Resource Center hosts regular speakers, gatherings and trainings open to the entire campus community. To see the calendar, visit: studentlife.northeastern.edu/lgbtqa. In addition, campus-wide events on a variety of topics – including LGBTQA+ topics – are listed on at northeastern.edu/diversity.

Who can I contact if I have questions about being an LGBTQA+ employee at Northeastern?

• Various current members of the LGBTQA+ Staff/Faculty Affinity Group have volunteered to be a point of contact for colleagues with questions or interests related to LGBTQA+ identity.
• Kevin Vetiac, Director, LGBTQA+ Resource Center (k.vetiac@northeastern.edu)

Fall 2019: Winter Soiree

Fall 2019: LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff Research Presentation

Fall 2019: Monthly Book Club

Fall 2019: Estate Planning with Frank Mule

Spring 2019: Lunch and Learn with Jane Moyer, HRM

Fall 2018: OUTober Higher Education Panel

Fall 2018: LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff Research Presentation

LGBTQA+ Affinity Group Annual Report 2018-2019