Its belief is that support for the LGBTQ+ community requires intentional support for all historically excluded communities. It is the 4th oldest higher learning institution in the country. Ithaca College provides a vibrant and engaged community for LGBTQ+ students through their Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services. Tufts LGBT and Trans students can opt to visit a separate health care facility. The center works closely with other campus identity centers to achieve this goal. The GSRC Qmmunity Connections creates a space for community members to make connections. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. 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. Inclusive curriculum benefits all students by promoting diversity and It now offers more than 60 online degrees and certificates. 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?). 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. September 18, 202212:57 PM ET. 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The LGBTQ Student Center hosts a number of student organizations for its diverse populations. Throughout primary school and college, students who identify as LGBTQ are more susceptible to bullying, social isolation, and even physical assault. Multiple residence halls provide gender-inclusive housing and student activities coordinated by Guilford College Pride. 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. It serves to foster a safe campus environment and affirm members of its community. Kenyon College has a strong institutional commitment to providing a safe, vibrant community for its LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff, and policy to support them. GLSEN's "Back-To-School-Guide for Creating LGBT Inclusive Environments" includes steps you can take right now to make your classroom or school a more inclusive and safer space for LGBT students. It is considered a top research university. According to U.S. News & World Report, MAC ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. The center offers social activities such as Wednesday Wine Downs, LBGTeas, open houses, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and Safe Space training. Rutgers is a LGBT friendly college offering many courses and programs dedicated to LGBTQ studies. Known for one of the nations best campus dining halls, Tufts is also the alma mater of queer icon Tracy Chapman. It also provides opportunities for allyship through online resources, events, and training. Penn State launched the World Campus just before the turn of the 21st century. It warns that "the spread of . Harvey Mudd College (HMC) is one of seven schools that united to create The Queer Resource Center of the Claremont Colleges (QRC). Ithaca Colleges campus pride can been seen by their addition of the LGBT Education, Outreach, and Services center. The LGBTQ+ community at the University of Pittsburgh also plays an active role in fraternities and sororities and has gender-inclusive housing options available through the Office of Residence Life. They have gender inclusive housing such as residence halls for individuals that do not conform to male or female gender. Increased visibility of LGBTQ+ students on campuses has increased the need for support networks. They allow students to use a name different than their legal name on their university records. Unique opportunities include the Lavender Leadership Honor Society, the #TransTerps project, and the Rainbow Terrapin Network. UCLA School of Law's Williams Institute published data regarding U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest LGBTQ+ populations. Up until the 1970s, incoming freshman wore dinks little brown hats and participated the Pajama Parade. Image Credit: RobinOlimb / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images, 2023 BestColleges.com, a Red Ventures Company. Rutgers University, located in New Brunswick, NJ, is a top rated LGBT University. by Debbi Johnson-Rais, Ed.D. It is also a resource center for survivors of sexual violence, assault, or domestic abuse. 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 University of Vermont ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The LGBTQ Student Center at the University of Miami provides the community a breadth of both virtual and face-to-face options for support. WVU ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. 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. You can find information about some of these laws or policies on NCTE's School Action Center. 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. Included in this program is The Bridge LGBTQIA+ Resource Center, providing a safe space and an informal lounge and study space for students to gather. MSU ranks 4 on the Campus Pride Index. They are the director of the Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the Trans Policy Clearinghouse coordinator for Campus Pride. 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. Other sources of support include identity-affirming care, emergency funds for urgent needs, and housing. College is best described as a journey with a destination in mind, but there's no GPS and you're blindfolded behind the wheel. The Resource Centers signature initiatives include the UndocuQueer conference to highlight the intersection of undocumented immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. It also hosts speakers, film series, receptions, and other social gatherings. 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. Pursue Professional Development. The focus is critical thinking and social analysis about larger social and institutional formations. In 1995, Massachusetts became the first state to ask high schoolers in its state-level health survey. The center focuses on the intersectionality of gender, race, religion, and sexuality. In support of LGBTQIA students, Augsburg University allows students to select their personal pronoun in their records and registration for use in university records. Students learn about the development of LGBTQ identity formation and the coming out process. The list of nearly 200 institutions, most of them religiously affiliated, includes Brigham Young University, Malone University, College of the Ozarks and Lee University. Additional support includes access to specialized legal services, health initiatives, and professional and academic development with an LGBT+ focus. SDSU is one of the top LGBT friendly campuses and the second college in the US to offer LGBT Studies as a major. A trans student can update a preferred name on student IDs, class rosters and other campus data. The University of Colorado at Boulder was established in 1876 five months before Colorado became a state. So, this leaves both students, schools, and parents with the underlying realization that LGBTQ+ education has little to no involvement in most classrooms. The Queer Resource Center began in 2003 as a response to the need for support and protection for the LGBTQ+ community. They are the director of the Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the Trans Policy Clearinghouse coordinator for Campus Pride. University of Pennsylvania ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. They promote inclusion and support of LGBTQA science and engineering students in College Park. The GSRCs website offers easy access to many resources for students determining their true gender identity. In his kindergarten classroom, one teacher in western Massachusetts using "Rights, Respect, Responsibility" introduces the idea . The Gender & LGBTQIA Center provides LGBT students (and those questioning their sexual identity) a chance to feel valued, validated and victorious while attending Elon, and in their lives. 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). 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. Here are the top-ranked colleges for LGBTQ+ support. State laws and school district policies in many places also protect transgender students from discrimination. The Best Colleges for LGBTQ+ Students Increased visibility of LGBTQ+ students on campuses has increased the need for support networks. 15. Other resources include an African-American Resource Center, religious organizations, and various cultural clubs. Ready, Set, Respect! One such DRC is Spectrum, which supports the rights and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and asexual people and their allies. 1. Once a month, the staff of The Q Center provides Free HIV testing and Safer Sex Education Workshops. 1. Lehigh has also frequently been named one of the most beautiful campuses in the US, in addition to the most welcoming. Like the Gallup data for adults, MIYHS data show the number of LGBT-identifying students has increased since 2009, but especially since 2017. . Other courses address sex related issues, including sexual abuse and intimacy issues. But the best colleges for LGBT students can truly be a matter of life or death. New Jersey is among four states that passed laws mandating that public schools incorporate LGBTQ-inclusive curriculums. Cities considered LGBTQ+-friendly have well-established, safe communities with activities, nightlife, housing, and events that are appealing to the LGBTQ+ community. There are many ways for students to get involved at the GSRC, with volunteer or service-learning opportunities. Vanderbilt University's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Life Office offers several campus, local and national resources to serve its LGBTQ+ community. This happens through consultations with center staff, Safe Zone training, and conferences. The center works to create a welcoming climate through advocacy, education, and community building. UMD offers all types of programming and panels to support their LGBTQA community. Barnum. Indiana University Bloomington is a public university established in 1820. Courses focus on all the emerging LGBT subcultures and identities from a big picture, and science and philosophy behind LGBT identities, literature, laws, and healthcare. 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 Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement at Texas Tech University focuses on leadership and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. Students have the opportunity to create and design their preferred interdisciplinary coursework/degree. In order to be considered for this ranking, a school had to appear on either The Advocate's list of the 100 best schools for LGBT students or InsideCollege.com's list of gay-friendly campuses . They have safe zone training centered around LGBT specific health issues in medicine, practice, and research. They allow students to select the name by which they are known and that is one the schools records. The LGBTQ Resource Center at the University of New Mexico began as a student-led initiative in 2010 and has significantly expanded since. OStem UMD promotes participation and the development of LGBTQA communities in STEM. 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. Get the BestColleges ranking seal. Online learning opportunities also allow involvement with easier access. 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 The Queer Professionals Network allows students to connect with faculty, staff, and alumni, and various identity collectives create opportunities for cross-campus dialogue. 1. We rank the least LGBTQ-friendly colleges based on ratings and quotes from real students about equality on their campus. 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 center provides Safe Zone training, specialized orientation activities, PRIDE activities, and a unique opportunity for a social justice-themed living community. This comprehensive list includes a wide range of online and in-person resources offered by the organization. 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. There are colleges in every state that provide notable LGBTQ+ support services. Elon University (Elon) offers a Gender & LGBTQIA Center to promote tolerance and inclusion across its campus. 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. 3 In 2014, young gay and bisexual One new initiative is the David Bohnett CyberCenter, a computer lab that allows students to work in a nurturing atmosphere. The program support includes health and wellness initiatives, crisis response, and academic and social support groups. Mid Vermont Christian . 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. No matter what sex you were assigned at birth, you have the right to cut your hair and wear your clothes in a way that matches . Open since 1982, the LGBTQ+ Center at the University of Pennsylvania was created as a response to homophobic incidents occurring on campus. 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 resource library also catalogs books, movies, and other resources. They have a Queer Resource Center (QRT) offering resources and programming to support all students at PSU. Resources include the Trans Resource guide, LGBTQ housing options, and a weekly newsletter with updates on community events. 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. When sharing facts about LGBTQ history, it's important for educators to balance a positive influence and celebration of icons and leaders while not hiding the truth behind historically important events. They create a network and opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ campus community. Ithacas five separate schools include The School of Music, The School of Humanities & Science, The School of Business, The School and Communications and The School of Health Sciences &Human Performance. The Safe Space Program at Virginia Wesleyan University seeks to create a safe and bias-free campus environment for the LGBTQ+ community. 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. $3,250 to $12,000 (INR 2.6 Lakhs to INR 9.9 Lakhs) Colin Higgins Courage Award. Center staff are available for consultations to provide support and guidance to the LGBTQ+ community. September 15, 2018. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school. It serves the entire UMass community and provides cultural and educational programming, LGBTQIA ally training, a library, information and support. THe WVU LGBTQ+ Commission works with the center to monitor institutional procedures to ensure protection. There are also scholarships and grants available for community members. They have a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Student Services working to improve the campus environment for all students. Jaclyn Diaz. Students discuss ethical and legal impacts on LGBTQ individuals and their families. Guilford College ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Center staff are available for consultations to provide support and guidance to the LGBTQ+ community. A bias-based bullying prevention program providing LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources specifically designed for educators and youth-serving professionals. Among the LGBT friendly colleges, HMC is one of the most selective, as its acceptance rate is only 13%. in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program. MAC voluntarily participates in the Allies Project; a campus model that creates and trains LGBT support faculty, staff and students. Virginia has moved to restrict the rights of trans students in its public schools. Ithaca College ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The University of Pittsburgh offers the LGBTQ+ community a comprehensive database for navigating the extensive resources provided. The latest national and state data show a mental health crisis as a . The center is now available for drop-in appointments, organizational meetings, and studying. Enlarge this image. 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.". It is also recognized as one of the top-ranked schools that generate Fulbright Scholarship beneficiaries. Weve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck. bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, history, and events. John Witherspoon, one of the first presidents of Princeton University, signed the Declaration of Independence. Their mission is to proactively foster academic (and personal) success by building a campus that understands and appreciates LGBT students, faculty and alumni issues. Typically, 70% of undergraduate students live on campus. 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 university provides special interest housing, and the campus health center is available for a broad range of sexual health support and gender-confirming therapy. At the high school level, counselors are forming LGBTQ support groups to provide outlets for these students to discuss specific issues and concerns. Students benefit when they can see people who they can relate to in their school and in the curriculum they . The Center provides a location for study and programming and a resource library for the community. This is due to changes and improvements made to the campus climate through the creation of a robust support network for students. Tufts University ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. You can also find this unique ranking methodology on our list of the best LGBTQ+-friendly colleges. 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. 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. Tufts University is a research university that was established in 1852. The staff is trained in intersectional social justice issues, trans healthcare and creating a safe place for survivors of interpersonal violence. Macalester College ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Its also a proud home of Pride, dedicated to providing a nurturing and safe environment for all LGBT students. Find out which schools made our list for best colleges for LGBTQ+ students in each state. A 2020 American College Health Association study reported that out of a cohort of 8,000 surveyed, 21% identified as LGBTQ+. A recent report by the Proud and Thriving Project found that LGBTQ+ students experience greater incidences of mental health conditions than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts, making adequate mental health resources critical. UMDs Clark School of Engineering is known for its hands on engineering program, allowing students to research and build as soon as they begin school. Los Angeles LGBT Center: Out for Safe School Campaign. UMD College Park ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The center, founded in 1999, supports both the academic and social needs of the community and its allies. The Academic Residential Community creates opportunity through course work to foster understanding and respect for various identities. Title IX applies to all schools (including both K-12 schools and colleges) that get federal money, including nearly all public schools. The QSR provides programming for members of various communities such as Black queer and trans students and queer and trans people of color, academic-focused programs, and queer faith-based initiatives. NIU ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The center provides holistic and transformative opportunities for student, faculty, and staff members. This extensive collection of financial aid opportunities includes LGBTQ+ scholarships and grants of varying amounts. The Gay Liberation Front chapter at the University of Michigan created the Spectrum Center in 1971, to support their LGBTQ+ community. These challenges are related to: their identity, concerns with safety, and a lack of institutional policies to protect them. Antonian College Preparatory High School, San Antonio, TX, has adopted a new policy which threatens to expel transgender students. This 17-page document obtained by The Denver Post offers guidance to Catholic school administrators on how to handle gay and transgender students, parents and staff. They are advocates for change in policies and procedures campus wide to be more equitable to LGBTQIA individuals. The GSRC provides peer-facilitated first-year discussion groups, gender support discussion groups, a peer educator program, Out in STEM, and the Q'nnections mentorship program. The GSRC fosters a supportive environment with intellectual, personal, and cultural programming. The city with the highest percentage of LGBTQ+ individuals per population was San Francisco. Vanderbilt University ranks 4 on the Campus Pride Index. Ithaca College has set up all-gender restrooms across the campus. Transgender is an umbrella term They gain a broader understanding of how health, family difficulties and LGBTQ issues play out across an individuals life span. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. Bowdoin College ranks 4 on the Campus Pride Index. Guilford College's Diversity and Inclusion office provides a number of support services for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Safe Space workshops, resources for education on unconscious bias, and participation in local Pride events provide the LGBTQ+ community with opportunities to connect with members of the community for academic and social support. The GGC provides support to the LGBTQ+ community through specialized advising, training, lectures, workshops, and celebratory advocacy. There is a focus on the intersectionality of gender, race, religion, and sexuality. 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. It has the Gender Identity Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center (GIESOPRC), which is dedicated to the education, empowerment and engagement for LGBTQ+ students.