The administration of Republican Gov. CUs Natural History museum is recognized as one of the most comprehensive collections in the Rocky Mountain region of the country. Organizations involved in this effort include the K-State Sexuality and Gender Alliance, the LGBTQ+ Faculty Staff Alliance, the Gender Collective, and oSTEM. 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. NAU also provides gender-inclusive housing to allow for transgender and gender-questioning students to experience a safe alternative to gender binary housing. 4. The LGBTQ+ Peer Mentor Program matches new students to returning students to facilitate the transition into university. Students learn about the development of LGBTQ identity formation and the coming out process. The staff is trained in intersectional social justice issues, trans healthcare and creating a safe place for survivors of interpersonal violence. Like the Gallup data for adults, MIYHS data show the number of LGBT-identifying students has increased since 2009, but especially since 2017. UW-Eau Claire Blugolds have launched meaningful careers upon graduation for a century. But to find the best colleges for LGBT students, look for policy: inclusive language in their student handbook; gender inclusive housing (or gender neutral housing); explicit non-discrimination policies (for instance, womens colleges that are openly welcoming to trans women); mental health resources for LGBT youth (who disproportionately experience trauma, abuse, and PTSD). The University of Louisville recognized a lack of competent healthcare for the unique needs of the LGBT community. 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. This extensive collection of financial aid opportunities includes LGBTQ+ scholarships and grants of varying amounts. The center focuses on the intersectionality of gender, race, religion, and sexuality. His work has been published in the Journal Angelique Geehan founded Interchange, a consulting group offering anti-oppression support. This unique initiative built a comprehensive library resource (i.e. The office connects individuals to external non-profit advocacy in the greater D.C. area. 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. Whether through regular campus events, housing and safe spaces, or training opportunities, there is robust support available. Whether to use the "women's" or "men's" restroom due to . The Galerstein Gender Center (GGC) has been part of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion since 1996. The QRC hosts various support programs such as the Queer and Questioning Mentor Program and events such as National Coming Out Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and other social events. The Gamma Mu Foundation awards scholarships to gay men under age 35 and one award each year to a member of the broader LGBT community. The Stonewall Center offers many other resources for students, such as support, a LGBTQIA+ affirming religious group, and LGBTQIA+ related courses. 3 In 2014, young gay and bisexual Macalester College ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. . Pursue Professional Development. However, some schools have made advances to provide targeted support for trans and nonbinary students, LGBTQ+ students, and LGBTQ+ students of color. They gain a broader understanding of how health, family difficulties and LGBTQ issues play out across an individuals life span. For the fourth year in a row, Campus Pride Index has ranked Elon is among the top 30 LGBT friendly colleges. 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. When a student sees a SafeZone sign on campus, it identifies a safe place for LGBT students to talk about gender identity concerns with faculty committed and trained to support diversity and inclusion. A trans student can update a preferred name on student IDs, class rosters and other campus data. The university has a number of active student organizations, housing and diverse choice academic programs. Ithaca College began as a music conservatory in a building that was recognized, in 1971, as a part of the National Register of Historic Places. In 1971, the University of Michigan became the first college in the country to establish an LGBT office, and the university continues to be a pioneer on trans support. Their mission is to create a campust where everyone has a chance to explore who they and who they wish to be. Lower rates of having been bullied were found among both middle school (58%) and high school (44%) students who described their school as LGBTQ-affirming compared to middle school (69%) and high school (54%) students who did not. There are colleges in every state that provide notable LGBTQ+ support services. Vanderbilt University's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Life Office offers several campus, local and national resources to serve its LGBTQ+ community. It hosts an annual campus visit day for GSAs (Gay/Straight or Gender and Sexuality Alliances) in the region to introduce high school students to college life and to the University's LGBTQ+ resources. The center works closely with other campus identity centers to achieve this goal. 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.". San Diego State University's LGBTQ+ resources are housed in The Pride Center, a location that provides a safe and inclusive environment for individuals to meet and learn. The center connects with local community groups to provide enrichment opportunities for its members. The GSRCs website offers easy access to many resources for students determining their true gender identity. K-State has a Gender Collective, which is an organization that provides a safe place for trans, cross gender, intersex, androgynous, gender variant individuals. Top Scholarships for LGBTQ Students to Apply For Included below are a number of different financial awards including LGBTQ Awareness awards, awards based on academic interests, and awards based on concepts like optimism, learning and changing, and more. The LGBTQ+ Speakers Bureau is a resource that offers interactive events for the community and allies. 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. UMass Amherst has The Stonewall Center, which is a lesbian, gay, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) Resource Center. 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. They allow students to select the name by which they are known and that is one the schools records. Harvey Mudd College provides a map that discloses the location of its gender neutral bathrooms across campus. One of Tufts Universitys earliest benefactors was none other than P.T. Princeton University was established in 1746, 30 years before the American Revolution. The Health Center provides counseling as well as wellness promotion and gender-affirming support. This high school in New York City was the first high school in the world designed for LGBTQ+ students when it opened its doors in 1985.. The LGBTQ Student Center at the University of Miami provides the community a breadth of both virtual and face-to-face options for support. They recruit and address the needs of the LGBTQA and STEM communities and those who have been underrepresented in the past. The Program for LGBTQ Health connects community members to LGBTQ-competent health providers both on campus and in the local community. UNK ranks 4 on the Campus Pride Index. When she started going through . 1. The focus is critical thinking and social analysis about larger social and institutional formations. 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. curriculum, teacher training, suicide prevention and transgender students to rate school districts' LGBTQ policies on a three-tier, color-coded scale. Students discuss ethical and legal impacts on LGBTQ individuals and their families. In partnership with Campus Pride, BestColleges has put together a list of LGBTQ+-friendly colleges, highlighting the best colleges for LGBTQ+ students in several states. Online learning opportunities also allow involvement with easier access. Get the BestColleges ranking seal. The center, founded in 1999, supports both the academic and social needs of the community and its allies. The Pride Center offers access to resources for students, parents, faculty, guardians and Lehigh Universitys alumni. Cobretti's research and writing focuses on the experiences of historically excluded students and faculty and staff in higher education. Visit sites to learn more about enrollment, tuition, and aid. San Diego State University (SDSU), located in San Diego, CA, is one of the best schools for LGBT students. Other sources of support include identity-affirming care, emergency funds for urgent needs, and housing. MAC shows its LGBT campus pride by offering gender inclusive housing for students identifying as LGBT. The center offers a safe and supportive space of inclusion advocacy and social justice. They also include mental health concerns, questions about gender identity, safety concerns due to discrimination, and a lack of institutional protection. A public school system was not required to accommodate the religious beliefs of a teacher by permitting him to call students by only their last names when he wouldn't call transgender. So, this leaves both students, schools, and parents with the underlying realization that LGBTQ+ education has little to no involvement in most classrooms. Her work focuses on training healthcare pro Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D. (he/him), is a scholar, writer, and editor. Other courses address sex related issues, including sexual abuse and intimacy issues. The organization's projects and initiatives are concentrated in five core values: social justice, youth voice and action, empowerment, positive change, and diversity. There are almost a dozen student groups catering to LGBTQIA+ and the challenges they face. U-Dubs 700+-acre campus is home to a student body that exceeds 46,000 and, a worldwide top-ranked (largest) library in the world. Rutgers offers gender inclusive housing, including gender neutral dorms and freshman being paired with student interested in LGBTQ issues. They allow students to select the name and pronoun that best suits the student to be used on university records and databases. They allow students to use a name different than their legal name on their university records. The Galerstein Gender Center (GGC) has been part of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion since 1996. Their mission is to promote a respectful culture of integrity. The 780-acre campus is home to a student body that exceeded 33,000 in the fall of 2017 (and one of the best college for skiing and snowboarding, naturally). The Q Center was created in 2005 as a result of a letter to the University President requesting a safe space for queer students. The student services strive to support an inclusive understanding of gender and sexuality. 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 Gender and Sexuality Living Learning Community provides first-year housing to LGBTQ+ students and all-gender housing opportunities. Edited by Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D. American University in Washington, D.C. provides LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff with significant supportive resources through its Center for Diversity and Inclusion. 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. Support individual transgender and gender . Many of these awards are reserved for certain academic majors or LGBTQ+ subgroups. The University of Washington was founded in 1861. University of Pennsylvania Location: Philadelphia, PA Undergraduate Enrollment: 13,000 Acceptance Rate: 6% UPenn ranks high on the scorecard for recruitment and retention of LGBTQ+ students. by Debbi Johnson-Rais, Ed.D. The Center provides a location for study and programming and a resource library for the community. Various signature programs include Pride Week, Lavender Graduation, Glamour and Fame Pageant, and Transgender Day of Remembrance. Resources and activities include gender-inclusive housing, health resources, gender-inclusive restrooms, policy on sexual harassment and gender discrimination, and various social and support groups. These challenges are related to: their identity, concerns with safety, and a lack of institutional policies to protect them. 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. University of Delaware ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. The Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Life's main objective is to create a campus climate of acceptance and affirmation for the LGBTQ+ community. This database from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists more than 30 reports, pamphlets, and other publications aimed at LGBTQ+ youth, parents, teachers, school administrators, and allies. In support of LGBTQIA students, Augsburg University allows students to select their personal pronoun in their records and registration for use in university records. Harvey Milk High School, New York City, US. This brief report highlights newly released data from the 2017 YRBS which focuses on transgender high school students (Johns et al., 2019). They also allow students to select the pronoun that the student prefers. The Gay Liberation Front chapter at the University of Michigan created the Spectrum Center in 1971, to support its LGBTQ+ community. Unique opportunities include the Lavender Leadership Honor Society, the #TransTerps project, and the Rainbow Terrapin Network. The organization provides speakers from the community to present in classes, residence halls, or other events. 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. Her work focuses on training healthcare pro Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D. (he/him), is a scholar, writer, and editor. The center connects members of the LGBTQ+ community to other resources, both on campus and nationally. 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 Best Colleges for LGBTQ+ Students Increased visibility of LGBTQ+ students on campuses has increased the need for support networks. Lehigh has also frequently been named one of the most beautiful campuses in the US, in addition to the most welcoming. More than 75% of their student body includes members of their high schools top 10% graduating class. It is considered a top research university. The Queer Professionals Network allows students to connect with faculty, staff, and alumni, and various Identity Collectives create opportunities for cross-campus dialogue. The public school that Mrs. Bradshaw's son attends is one of many throughout the country that allow students to socially transition change their name, pronouns, or gender expression without. Students benefit when they can see people who they can relate to in their school and in the curriculum they . The LGBT Center at Tufts University offers a safe space for students to gather, as well as campuswide programing on sexuality, gender, and discrimination. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Equity Center serves all LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff at the University of Maryland, College Park. They created an open, supportive campus focused on ending racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia. The center is now available for drop-in appointments, organizational meetings, and studying. Center staff are available for consultations to provide support and guidance to the LGBTQ+ community. The GIESOPRC has multiple resources and guides for those who would like to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community. There are many ways for students to get involved at the GSRC, with volunteer or service-learning opportunities. According to BestColleges.com,Princeton University ranked first among the best colleges for LGBT for students. This was a foreshadowing of Princeton Universitys egalitarian ethos. A Vermont Christian high school forfeited a girls basketball game because the opposing team had a transgender player, the head of school said. The counseling center provides confidential assistance. Once a month, the staff of The Q Center provides Free HIV testing and Safer Sex Education Workshops. LGBT movies and books). The school offers more than 1,000 various types of student organizations. These groups provide one way to let these students know that they are valued and that their voices are important. Lehigh has established SafeZones throughout the campus, where staff, students and faculty are trained to professionally handle gender diversity issues. The Pride Office, which is part of the Center for Inclusion and Social Change, provides the LGBTQ+ community with a support system that encourages dialogue, advocacy, and education. Brown University ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. Support includes LGBTQIA+ advising, housing, and academic residency programs through Triangle House, a library with specialized resources, and a Partnerships in Pride mentoring program. All students should ensure their institution of choice is a good fit for them, but LGBTQ+ students have additional details to consider. Studies have shown that compared to their heterosexual peers, LGBTQ+ youth report much higher rates of depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, and lower self-esteem. Their ethos is to observe and embrace student and faculty differences. 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. 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Penn State provides a higher learning platform on its 24 campuses and through its 18 colleges. The GSRC Qmmunity Connections creates a space for community members to make connections. Virginia Wesleyan University ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. These institutions rank among the best in their efforts to support and provide academic, financial, and social resources for LGBTQ+ students. See the LGBTQ community page for more resources. 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. The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire has a significant number of resources for members of the LGBTQ+ community to get involved in social, educational and advocacy programs through the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC). The Gender + Equality Center houses advocates that cultivate and affirm the rights of LGBTQ+ people and women on campus. Princeton ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Founded in 1989, the Gender + Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) was created to support and empower the LGBTQ+ community through events, education, and other initiatives. Programming includes LUally training, mentorship, and a wide range of resources written for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Pride Center library. They have a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Student Services working to improve the campus environment for all students. THE LGBTQ Center maintains a library of resources and historical artifacts related to key moments in the history of the community. It is the 4th oldest higher learning institution in the country. Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) as a comprehensive resource providing information, education and reinforced advocacy for those exploring or identifying with a variety of gender and non-gender identities. The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, WI, and has received a 5 star rating by the Campus Pride Index as the best school in Wisconsin for LGBTQIA+ students. It consistently ranks among the top one hundred public institutes of higher learning in the country. Various student organizations provide opportunities for participation in social justice and other activities. UCLA School of Law's Williams Institute published data regarding U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest LGBTQ+ populations. Macalester College was founded in 1874 and, to this day, only offers undergraduate four-year degree programs. School clubs provide safe spaces and support networks for LGBT students. 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. Programming includes the The Ohio State Q*mmunity (OSQ) peer mentor program, resources for queer and trans people of color, and various training opportunities to educate all interested in the history and terminology of the LGBTQ+ community. Emory University ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. There are gender-inclusive housing options available, social and educational spaces for meetings, and LGBTQ+ specialists at the Counseling Center. 2023 College Consensus | All Rights Reserved. UW ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. They also provide training and initiatives related to allyship, social justice and mental health, and wellness. UPenns LGBT Center was the first of its kind and has operated as a social hub for 35 years. Since then, the university has built many resources for faculty, staff, and students in the community. The provide advisement, advocacy and support for LGBTQIA+ students. 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.". Connecticut College's LGBTQIA Center was founded in 2007 by a group of students in conjunction with a faculty member. In fact, according to the Human Rights . 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. It now offers more than 60 online degrees and certificates. The infrastructure of the college is also critical to creating a climate of inclusion, particularly through gender-inclusive housing, inclusive restrooms, and faculty and staff representation. Olympic athletes from Ohio State have earned 100 medals (is it any wonder Ohio State has one of the top campus recreation centers in the US?). You can also find this unique ranking methodology on our list of the best LGBTQ+-friendly colleges. The center, founded in 1999, supports both the academic and social needs of the community and its allies. There are a significant number of initiatives at the University of Oklahoma created to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center (GRSC) at Macalester College provides programming for its LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. Augsburg has gender neutral restrooms all over campus for students to have a safe restroom. 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. SDSU is one of the top LGBT friendly campuses and the second college in the US to offer LGBT Studies as a major. University of Michigan, Ann ArborAnn Arbor, Mich.Campus Pride Index LGBTQ-Friendly Rating: 5 out of 5 StarsGender Identity/Expression Score: 5 out of 5 Stars. 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. Benjamin Franklin founded the University of Pennsylvania in 1740. In 1995, Massachusetts became the first state to ask high schoolers in its state-level health survey. 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 The Campus Pride Index has recognized Macalester College as one of the best colleges for LGBT students in the nation. It has the Gender Identity Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center (GIESOPRC), which is dedicated to the education, empowerment and engagement for LGBTQ+ students. The LBGTQ+ Center at West Virginia University connects members of the LGBTQ+ community with on campus resources and training, as well as to state and national resources. The center was created in 1992 as the result of a recommendation from the Select Committee for Lesbian and Gay Concerns. They promote inclusion and support of LGBTQA science and engineering students in College Park. Find out which schools made our list for best colleges for LGBTQ+ students in each state. The Q Center was created in 2005 as a result of a letter to the university president requesting a safe space for queer students. It is also a resource center for survivors of sexual violence, assault, or domestic abuse. 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. Indiana University, Purdue University, and Rutgers University have the next largest total populations, with comprehensive support available for LGBTQ+ students. Intentional gender neutral language, or explicit non-discrimination policies, create penalties for hate speech or discrimination, whether students are abusing other students, or faculty abuse their power in the classroom. Abilene Christian University American Indian College Anderson University Andrews University Appalachian Bible College Arizona Christian University Arlington Baptist University Asbury Theological Seminary Asbury University Azusa Pacific University Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary Baylor University Belmont Abbey College In addition to the Campus Pride Index rating scale, BestColleges has included its own ranking methodology and the following factors to produce this list: Is your school on this list? They affirm the lives of LGBTIA+ students with support resources and education. Indiana University Bloomington is a public university established in 1820. The Center provides support through advocacy, community, and celebration. MSU ranks 4 on the Campus Pride Index. The center also facilitates participation in events such as the Pride Parade, Black Gay Pride Week, Dragstavaganza, and Trans Day of Remembrance. American University ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. Penn State is a proud member of the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT resource. On Instagram, alum Gabi Antuna shared a screenshot from the 2021-2022 student handbook about the gender policy. UMass is also one of the best theater colleges in the country. Some of Tufts Universitys programs are affiliated with the nearby schools of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University.