LGBTQ+ Students

The School of Public Health joins the larger University of Michigan community in working toward enhancing the campus climate and support services for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty through education, advocacy, and community building. 

Resources at the School of Public Health

If you are seeking LGBTQ+  assistance, support, or have questions, please contact Mina Tobya at mtobya@umich.edu. To view LGBTQ+-focused student groups at the School of Public Health, visit our Student Organizations page.

Campus Resources

The Spectrum Center provides a comprehensive range of education, information, and advocacy services working to create and maintain an open, safe, and inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and similarly-identified students, faculty, and staff, their families and friends, and the campus community at large.

The OUTlist is an online directory of LGBTQ faculty, staff, postdocs, graduate students, undergraduate students, and alumni that seeks to foster professional relationships and mentoring opportunities. The OUTlist serves as a database where members of the U-M community can connect with one another and where individuals new to the community can look to for resources.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is the gateway to the people and programs that support and advance diversity at the University of Michigan and beyond.

Expect Respect is an educational initiative aimed at supporting a campus climate in which all persons are treated with civility. Community members work together to strengthen the framework of support services for those who have experienced hate crimes or bias incidents.

IGR is a social justice education program that works to promote understanding of intergroup relations inside and outside of the classroom. Multidisciplinary courses offered by IGR are distinguished by their experiential focus, teaching philosophy, and incorporation of dialogical models of communication.

Community Resources and Organizations to Know

  • The Jim Toy Foundation. The name “Jim Toy” is synonymous with the queer movement in the state of Michigan. The first publicly “out” man in Michigan (1970), Jim established the first campus center in history at The University of Michigan devoted to the support of sexual minority group members. His status as a TBLG icon is based on over 40 years of tireless effort to create safety and equality for people of all sexual and gender preferences through his speaking, teaching, writing, administrating, organizing and protesting. The Jim Toy Community Center is honored to be associated with his name and to dedicate its work to his causes.
  • The Corner Health Center.The mission of the Corner Health Center is to inspire 12- to 25-year-olds (and their children) to achieve and sustain healthy lives by providing judgment-free, affordable health, and wellness care and education.
  • Ozone House. Up to 40% of youth who are homeless identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning. These youth are at higher risk than their peers for bullying, violence, exploitation, and discrimination. Ozone House is available 24/7 to help youth get out and stay out of these situations. At Ozone House, youth find safety and nonjudgmental support from adults and peers. Whether youth need shelter, housing, individual or family counseling, 1:1 support and life skills, a job, to enroll in school, or a hot meal, our door is always open.
  • Integrative Empowerment.  IEG’s mission is to make it easier for people seeking counseling, healing and wellness to find knowledgeable and aware practitioners who understand their experiences. Integrative Empowerment Group (IEG) is a collective of therapists who share a vision of affirming diversity, empowering individual expression and promoting integrative mental, emotional, and personal growth. Our practitioners understand that it is often not easy to reach out for help; especially if there is concern that people may not "get it" or understand your experiences. Our therapists are engaged in continuous consideration of how multiple oppressions (sexism, racism, heterosexism, classism, ableism, sizeism) in the current societal and historical context may be contributing to distress. This organization also accepts the University of Michigan insurance with a $25 co-pay (on GradCare, plans co-pays may vary).

Resources at the University for Conflict Resolution

In cases of discrimination or bias, The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) oversees, facilitates, and supports the university’s efforts to ensure equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

In case of conflict with your department or the university, The Office of the Ombuds (Links to an external site.) at the University of Michigan is a place where all students are welcome to come and talk in confidence about any campus issue, concern, problem, or dispute. You may contact us anytime—as a first step, as a last resort, or anywhere along the way. We are here when you need us, so come and share your concerns. We will help you evaluate your situation and plan your next step—if you want to take one.

For graduate students working on a Rackham degree, The Rackham Resolution Office provides a safe and confidential environment to discuss concerns, and advises faculty, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and students on matters related to emergencies, crisis situations, disputes, and student conduct violations. The Resolution Office also provides information about Rackham Graduate School and university policies and procedures, makes referrals, and offers resources when appropriate.