The LGBTQ+ Culture Center at Indiana University-Bloomington provides support to members of its LGBTQ+ community that includes scholarships, educational resources, and other support services. More than 75% of their student body includes members of their high schools top 10% graduating class. In partnership with Campus Pride, we are happy to bring you our top 25 most LGBTQ+-friendly colleges in the United States. It fosters a safe campus environment and affirms members of its community. This unique initiative built a comprehensive library resource (i.e. Ithaca College is a private college founded in 1892. The LGBTQ Student Center hosts a number of student organizations for its diverse populations. Bowdoin College ranks 4 on the Campus Pride Index. In addition to the Campus Pride Index rating scale, BestColleges has included its own ranking methodology that emphasizes college affordability and important academic quality metrics, including admissions rate, enrollment rate, graduation rate, and accreditation. Harvey Mudd offers remarkable workshops and sponsors events on their shared campuses. The Queer Resource Center began in 2003 as a response to the need for support and protection for the LGBTQ+ community. Canadian Catholic high school student Josh Alexander was reportedly arrested after being suspended for protesting against transgender people's use of bathrooms and saying there are only two g The scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $2,500. Partnerships with campus offices allow the center to leverage existing expertise into workshops, presentations, and conferences on topics affecting the community. GSAs are made up of students of any sexual orientation or gender identity, not just gay students. They have gender inclusive housing in Stonewall Living Suites, which connects students interested in supporting the LGBTQA community. They promote inclusion and support of LGBTQA science and engineering students in College Park. The Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement at Texas Tech University focuses on leadership and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. In 1995, Massachusetts became the first state to ask high schoolers in its state-level health survey. According to Shane Windmeyer, the founder and executive director of Campus Pride, the mission is to serve "LGBTQ+ and ally student leaders and campus organizations in the areas of leadership development, support programs, and services to create safer, more inclusive LGBTQ+-friendly colleges and universities.". Rutgers has a Douglass themed living community for students exploring lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and asexual experiences both in and out of the classroom. The school is named after Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States.Though the school has a special emphasis on students questioning their gender identity or . The purpose of the center is to create an inclusive community on campus. A GSA is a type of student club, typically in a high school or middle school, which provides a place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and work to end harassment or discrimination for LGBTQ+ students. The Queer Mentoring and Peer Program provides peer support as students navigate the college experience alongside sexual orientation and identity. The community has on- and off-campus resources available for support. The 2011 National School Climate survey recommends: Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs). School administrators should be aware that the U.S. Department of Education advises that transgender and gender non-conforming students are covered by Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in schools. Additional support includes access to specialized legal services, health initiatives, and professional and academic development with an LGBT+ focus. They created an open, supportive campus focused on ending racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia. Get the BestColleges ranking seal. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. The Prism Center has been serving the LGBTQ+ population at the University of Vermont since 1999 and is a place for students to build their leadership skills, connect to the community, and advocate for equity and inclusion. 4 Best Scholarships for LGBTQ Students Scholarships are a type of financial aid that don't need to be paid back, which means they can make a substantial difference in your ability to afford. You have the right to express your gender, and it is unlawful for your peers or teachers to harass or treat you differently because of your gender. Housed within the Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons, various programs are available to the community, including identity support, discrimination and bias prevention, and mental health and well-being programs. University of Pennsylvania ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Get the BestColleges ranking seal. In September 2016, the Michigan State Board of Education (SBE) approved its Statement and Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students. The center was created in 1992 as the result of a recommendation from the Select Committee for Lesbian and Gay Concerns. The Gay Liberation Front chapter at the University of Michigan created the Spectrum Center in 1971, to support their LGBTQ+ community. One new initiative is the David Bohnett CyberCenter, a computer lab that allows students to work in a nurturing atmosphere. In 2006, the Princeton LGBT Center opened as a symbol of their campus pride.This center provided the necessary resources for those on an exploration path to discover their own sexuality. Supportive educators. Activities include participation in national events such as National Coming Out Day and World AIDS Day and internal events such as pride rallies, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and mentorship programs. BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Center, part of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, serves the LGBTQ+ community through social events, lecture series, advocacy for a discrimination-free environment, and various training opportunities. The GGC Equity Excellence program provides a certificate of commitment to participants from the university community upon completion of various academic and social events, book clubs, and lectures. Their mission is to create an environment of respect, equity and, social justice through programming, outreach and education. The LGBT Center at Tufts University offers a safe space for students to gather, as well as campuswide programing on sexuality, gender, and discrimination. Their mission is to proactively foster academic (and personal) success by building a campus that understands and appreciates LGBT students, faculty and alumni issues. The list of nearly 200 institutions, most of them religiously affiliated, includes Brigham Young University, Malone University, College of the Ozarks and Lee University. The Resource Center offers education on being a LGBT and Trans ally. The LGBTQ Center at Brown University was established in 2004 and serves to provide a comprehensive training and support system surrounding issues of gender identity and sexuality for members of the LGBTQ+ community at the university and in the greater community. The center not only provides a supportive environment for students, faculty, and staff on campus, but also serves as a resource for training and involvement. Lehigh has established SafeZones throughout the campus, where staff, students and faculty are trained to professionally handle gender diversity issues. The 1,000-acre campus is a couple of miles north of downtown Columbus. The Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion created the Gender & Sexuality Resource Office to provide a safe space to voice concerns and share ideas related to issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. LGB youth are at greater risk for depression, suicide, substance use, and sexual behaviors that can place them at increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Ohio State University has an active LGBTQ+ community and provides comprehensive support for them with gender-inclusive housing, comprehensive health services, and faith-based support. Center staff are available for consultations to provide support and guidance to the LGBTQ+ community. Penn State is a proud member of the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT resource. They have a Queer Resource Center (QRT) offering resources and programming to support all students at PSU. PSUs Trans Student Resources and Retention Coordinator (TReC) is the contact for resources and services for students identifying as trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and questioning, in addition to students who are intersex. According to MIYHS data, 5.5 percent of high schoolers identified as LG or B in 2009, 5.8 percent in 2011, 5.9 percent in 2013, and 7.9 percent in 2015. According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the Household Pulse Survey administered by the Census Bureau suggests that 20 million adults in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+. Cities considered LGBTQ+-friendly have well-established, safe communities with activities, nightlife, housing, and events that are appealing to the LGBTQ+ community. So, this leaves both students, schools, and parents with the underlying realization that LGBTQ+ education has little to no involvement in most classrooms. You can find information about some of these laws or policies on NCTE's School Action Center. The university regularly participates in LGBTQ+ admission fairs and provides an orientation and mentoring program for first-year students. The LGBT Center, which started as a small support center for LGBTQ+ students in 1977, is the second of its kind on a university campus nationally. Ithaca Colleges LGBT center was established in 2001 and continues to provide a supportive and welcoming environment for LGBT students and their allies. Lehigh University created The Pride Center for Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (The Pride Center), to reach for the objective of an equitable, just campus (and world). He is co-founder and executive director of Campus Pride. The provide advisement, advocacy and support for LGBTQIA+ students. The counseling center provides confidential assistance. After integrating with the Women's Resource Center (WRC) in 2017, the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (RCSGD) became the Sexuality, Women, and Gender Center in order to better support both women and the LGBTQ+ community at Bowdoin College. The University Counseling Center offers individual and group therapy options and critical care. SOU has a Queer Resource Center (QRC), which is dedicated to visible and accessible advocacy for the needs of LGBT students. Resources include support to improve campus climate and safety, opportunities for identity development, and expertise on institutional and state policies and their impact on the community. We want to hear what you have to say! According to BestColleges.com,Princeton University ranked first among the best colleges for LGBT for students. Among the LGBT friendly colleges, HMC is one of the most selective, as its acceptance rate is only 13%. Once a month, the staff of The Q Center provides Free HIV testing and Safer Sex Education Workshops. Theres no one, simple way of defining what makes for LGBT friendly colleges, but there are some guidelines that can give an indication of their level of welcoming. by Debbi Johnson-Rais, Ed.D. In a survey of 180,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 2018, the Association of American Universities found that 17% of students identified as LGBTQ+. The organization's projects and initiatives are concentrated in five core values: social justice, youth voice and action, empowerment, positive change, and diversity. Debbi Johnson-Rais, Ed.D., is the director of Florida Atlantic University's Scholars Program, an initiative that provides support and programming for high-achieving students, particularly those in medicine. John Witherspoon, one of the first presidents of Princeton University, signed the Declaration of Independence. The LGBTQ+ Speakers Bureau is a resource that offers interactive events for the community and allies. The Center provides a location for study and programming and a resource library for the community. List of Schools Welcome to Gay Parent Magazine's listing of infant classes, preschools, and private day and boarding schools. According to the National Science Foundation, Harvey Mudd consistently generates the most Science and Engineering Ph.D. graduates, among its competing universities like Caltech and MIT. The campus also provides LGBTQ+-friendly housing and all-gender restrooms and locker rooms, as well as healthcare and educational materials. Enrollment Advisor. WVU ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. Northern Arizona University LGBTQIA Commission is an organization that provides support to all students, faculty, and staff at the university. University of Pennsylvania Location Philadelphia, PA Tuition $24539 The Ohio State University Location Columbus, OH Tuition $18042 University of California - Los Angeles Location Los Angeles, CA Tuition $14760 Washington University in St. Louis Location St. Louis, MO Tuition $27777 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Location Cambridge, MA OnlineSchools.org. UWs Q Center also includes a lending library, gender discussion groups and blog opportunities for those students seeking a chance to participate to spread their message through two UW-sponsored blogs. Online learning opportunities also allow involvement with easier access. The GGC provides support to the LGBTQ+ community through specialized advising, training, lectures, workshops, and celebratory advocacy. 1. Nov. 4, 2022, at 5:18 p.m. Other initiatives include workshops, leadership programs, and student organizations. CU Boulder ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Annual scholarships for LGBTQ students in financial need or coming from an LGBTQ-lacking youth community. The Galerstein Gender Center (GGC) has been part of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion since 1996. Genny Beemyn is a leading expert on the experiences of trans people in the United States, particularly the lives of trans students, and on the development of trans-inclusive college policies and practices. Support individual transgender and gender . Other sources of support include identity-affirming care, emergency funds for urgent needs, and housing. The QRC encourages building relationships and support systems to embolden every individual to have a positive experience, become a responsible member of the community, and grow as an individual. They also allow students to select the pronoun that the student prefers. SDSU creates and strengthens an inclusive and affirming space and environment for persons of all sexual and gender identities and their allies. The administration of Republican Gov. LGBT students can study International Affairs, Finance, Engineering, Architecture, Theology, the Social and Natural Sciences, among other majors. Tufts University is comprised of ten schools across four Boston campuses and another in the French Alps. It serves the entire UMass community and provides cultural and educational programming, LGBTQIA ally training, a library, information and support. The Commission supports the Office of Inclusion: Multicultural & LGBTQIA Student Services and provides Safe Zone training, counseling services, and policy for safety and health promotion on campus. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school. Shane Windmeyer is a leading author on LGBTQ+ campus issues, national leader in LGBTQ+ civil rights, and a champion for LGBTQ+ issues on college campuses. Los Angeles LGBT Center: Out for Safe School Campaign. The center of the campus is known as Red Square a location that includes landmarks like a statue of George Washington and the Broken Obelisk. Depending on the individual and her/his/their circumstances and environment, the number and degree of challenges will differ. Kenyon College has a strong institutional commitment to providing a safe, vibrant community for its LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff, and a policy to support them. A 2020 American College Health Association study reported that out of a cohort of 8,000 surveyed, 21% identified as LGBTQ+. UNM has several active student and community organizations that serve the LGBT+ community, and the Queer Student Alliance provides students with educational and social activities throughout the year. Princeton ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The university also collaborates with many community programs in the city of Baltimore, including the Pride Center and Baltimore Pride. These groups provide one way to let these students know that they are valued and that their voices are important. When she started going through . PD program to facilitate safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth. In support of LGBTQIA students, Augsburg University allows students to select their personal pronoun in their records and registration for use in university records. September 18, 202212:57 PM ET. Students who attended schools with GSAs reported fewer homophobic remarks, more intervention from school personnel and a greater sense of connectedness. A Vermont girls high school basketball team forfeited out of the Vermont Division IV state tournament after refusing to play against a team that includes a transgender player. Is your school on this list? Students have the opportunity to create and design their preferred interdisciplinary coursework/degree. In 2017, the MIYHS added gender identity to the survey. . In 2006, Newsweek recognized Tufts as a member of the new Ivy League schools. Start the Survey . Windmeyer is also the author of The Advocate College Guide for LGBTQ+ Students, the first-ever college guide profiling the "100 Best LGBTQ-Friendly Campuses.". The researchers surveyed nearly 2,500 teachers and students across the country and found that teachers were less comfortable intervening with bullying due to sexual orientation and gender identity than with bullying based on race, ability, and religion. Pursue Professional Development. The All Gender Community housing is a model community where students of all genders are welcome, and the GSRC Qmmunity Connections creates a space for members of the community to make connections. The LGBT Center at University of Louisville provides students with a safe space to come together for discussions, advocacy, and to embrace each other's differences. Connecticut College's LGBTQIA Center was founded in 2007 by a group of students in conjunction with a faculty member. Brown University ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. The LGBT Center at Tufts University offers a safe space for students to gather, as well as campus-wide programming on sexuality, gender, and discrimination. The Stonewall Center offers many other resources for students, such as support, a LGBTQIA+ affirming religious group, and LGBTQIA+ related courses. THe WVU LGBTQ+ Commission works with the center to monitor institutional procedures to ensure protection. The center provides holistic and transformative opportunities for student, faculty, and staff members. The center also facilitates participation in events such as the Pride Parade, Black Gay Pride Week, Dragstavaganza, and Trans Day of Remembrance. Montclair State offers a LGBTQ minor under the Gender, Sexuality, and Womens Studies program to allow students to think critically about identity, current issues, and activism. According to the Human Rights Campaign's analysis of the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31% of LGBTQ+ youth, 43% of transgender youth, and 40% of questioning youth have been bullied at school, compared to 16% of their non-LGBTQ+ peers. They have gender inclusive housing such as residence halls for individuals that do not conform to male or female gender. Adequate health services that provide counseling and gender-affirming treatment are also important factors. Debbi Johnson-Rais, Ed.D., is the director of Florida Atlantic University's Scholars Program, an initiative that provides support and programming for high-achieving students, particularly those in medicine. The Center provides regular programming throughout the year, but also a Queer Students of Color Conference, and various affinity groups. The school provides LGBT workshops regularly; addressing emerging LGBT issues on campus, and in the world. UW-Eau Claire has a Gender & Sexuality Resource Center dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive campus for all students. Shane Windmeyer is a leading author on LGBTQ+ campus issues, national leader in LGBTQ+ civil rights, and a champion for LGBTQ+ issues on college campuses. The center works to create a welcoming climate through advocacy, education, and community-building. September 3, 2019. California became the first state in recent years to incorporate LGBTQ history into its curriculum, while earlier this year, the superintendent of Houston Independent School District - one of the. Lambda Legal is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advocacy for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Ally training is available on campus, and the university collaborates closely advocacy groups in the community such as Freedom Oklahoma and the Norman Queer Alliance. However, schools can make a difference. Find out which schools made our list for best colleges for LGBTQ+ students in each state. The University of New Mexico ranks 4 on the Campus Pride Index. Other resources include an African-American Resource Center, religious organizations, and various cultural clubs. The Queer Mentoring and Peer Program provides peer support as students navigate the college experience alongside sexual orientation and identity. Online learning opportunities also allow involvement with easier access. Lola Rossi, a student at Haddon Heights High School in N.J., with the. A trans student can update a preferred name on student IDs, class rosters and other campus data. Kenyon College hosts the Queer and Trans Studies Conference biennially, featuring tracks in healthcare and technology, visual and performing arts, humanities and popular culture, society and law, and community interest workshops. Elon is on a mission to create a campus platform where all students are welcomed and included. The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) at Macalester College provides programming for its LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. Tufts University offers gender inclusive housing (known as the Rainbow House) through its campus pride initiative. Health insurance is provided to cover gender confirmation surgery and hormone therapy. Annually, Campus Pride produces the Campus Pride Index, which awards star ratings (scaled 1-5) to colleges based on their LGBTQ+ supportive policies, LGBTQ+ student resources, and other criteria. In addition to harassment in schools, many LGBTQ+ students experience family and peer rejection, bullying, and isolation. The Best Colleges for LGBTQ+ Students Increased visibility of LGBTQ+ students on campuses has increased the need for support networks. Founded in 1989, the Gender + Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) was created to support and empower the LGBTQ+ community through events, education and other interventions. Myth #5: Sex education is inclusive of all students. Through peer support, leadership development, and training, GSA Network supports young people in starting, strengthening, and sustaining GSAs and builds the capacity of GSAs to: (1) create safe environments in schools for students to support each other and learn about homophobia and other oppressions; (2) educate school communities about They have a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Student Services working to improve the campus environment for all students. It has a campus Pride Center. They believe differences should be celebrated and they stand as a model for diversity through their student body and their programming. Reuters/Stephane Mahe. It is the 4th oldest higher learning institution in the country. The program support includes health and wellness initiatives, crisis response, and academic and social support groups. A Vermont Christian high school forfeited a girls basketball game because the opposing team had a transgender player, the head of school said. LGBTQ+ youth activists who have overcome different hardships and struggles. Additionally, HMC provides gender inclusive housing options. Penn State launched the World Campus just before the turn of the 21st century. Multiple residence halls provide gender-inclusive housing and student activities coordinated by Guilford College Pride. The almost 2% prevalence rate is more than double the previously available estimate of 0.7%. Gender neutral dorms and other forms of gender inclusive housing, for instance, allow transgender students to find a housing situation where they can be comfortable, just one example of how intentional policies can make for LGBT friendly colleges. The Best 388 Colleges Our School Ratings Financial Aid Honor Roll Fire Safety Honor Roll . Increased visibility of LGBTQ+ students on campuses has increased the need for support networks. Princeton University was established in 1746, 30 years before the American Revolution. Includes links to GLSEN's Safe Space Kit (6-12), Ready Set Respect (K-5), LGBT inclusive decorative materials for the classroom, the Gay Straight Alliance Network, and more. The center works closely with other campus identity centers to achieve this goal. UW ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. They do this through increasing awareness, leadership development, and various other resources. by Debbi Johnson-Rais, Ed.D. The Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities focuses on educational and social programs and consultation on policy for members of the LGBTQ+ campus community. Find out how the University of Texas at Dallas creates a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students. They have gender inclusive restrooms and gender inclusive housing. Theyre a LGBT friendly college believing in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Her work focuses on training healthcare pro Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D. (he/him), is a scholar, writer, and editor. The Center provides support through advocacy, community, and celebration. This brief report highlights newly released data from the 2017 YRBS which focuses on transgender high school students (Johns et al., 2019). Reviewed by Angelique Geehan Updated December 15, 2022 Learn more about our editorial process In fact, according to the Human Rights . Montclair State University, located in Clifton, NJ, has a LGBTQ Center dedicated to creating an environment of inclusion and support to all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expression. Off-campus community groups also create strong partnerships for the campus community. The center provides Safe Zone training, specialized orientation activities, PRIDE activities, and a unique opportunity for a social justice-themed living community. School alumni include Pulitzer Prize winners, Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars and Nobel laureates. Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students Guidance Document Now Available for School Districts | New York State Education Department FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2015 For More Information Contact: JP O'Hare or Jeanne Beattie (518) 474-1201 www.nysed.gov