At Hunter College, queer students can find academic representation in the expanding opportunities and resources available at the LGBTQ Policy Center.
The center, which opened about 10 years ago at the Roosevelt House, Hunter’s Public Policy Institute, provides opportunities for students interested in LGBTQ rights, law and public policy. Students can find interdisciplinary undergraduate courses on LGBTQ policy history, fellowship opportunities, and attend events ranging from book talks to symposiums.
Erin Mayo-Adam, director of the LGBTQ Policy Center, said the center, located at 47-49 E. 65th St., needs more students to take advantage of the various educational resources available to all students regardless of their major.
Apart from being the center’s director, Mayo-Adam, also an author of several books including the 2020 “Queer Alliances: How Power Shapes Political Movement Formation,” teaches an undergraduate course called LGBTQ Policy and Politics, which has does not have any formal prerequisites (though Mayo-Adams suggests students should take English 120 before taking this course).
The course discusses the development of LGBTQ policy in America, trailing the extensive history of activism in the U.S. and transformative lawsuits that have shaped modern-day queer rights.
Aside from classes, the center hosts several events per semester, such as an upcoming Feb. 28 panel discussion on the censorship of LGBTQ+ identity through the banning of books, which Mayo-Adams is moderating. The panelists include best-selling authors whose books have been subject to such bans due to their inclusion of LGBTQ themes, such as Adriana Herrera, Vicki Johnson, Kyle Lukoff and Boon Lin Ngeo.
Former student and current Roosevelt House faculty member Annabella Pritchard cites her work with the LGBTQ Policy Center as one of their “greatest privileges to help create a space,” where queer students, politicians and activists can come together to discuss how to fight against “our current landscape of discriminatory politics that continues to affect the lives of trans and queer children and adults every day.”
“The center is a place where these conversations can be had with generations of LGBTQ movement leaders, and queer student voices can be fostered into the next generation as queer activists,” said Pritchard.
One of the center’s most lucrative opportunities this year for students is their Pride Policy fellowship. Students who are selected as fellows will either pursue an academic research project or internship that addresses LGBTQ issues or policies, and receive a $5000 stipend.
The center is currently accepting applications for their 2024-2025 cohort, due May 1. Senior Nicole Palmetto, a fellow from last year, said the stipend allowed her to intern at Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s office, which she wouldn’t have been able to do because of her financial situation.
During her time, she worked on legislation “that affects queer lives like mine,” and praised the experience as one that allowed her to strengthen her passion for public service and develop skills such as policy analysis, constituent engagement and legislative advocacy.
“The invaluable experiences gained during my time shaped my perspective and dedication to advancing inclusive policies for marginalized communities,” said Palmetto. “Without the LGBTQ Policy Center, I would not have had the opportunity for such transformative growth in my professional and personal journey.”
