Resources. 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. In addition to harassment in schools, many LGBTQ+ students experience family and peer rejection, bullying, and isolation. The program support includes health and wellness initiatives, crisis response, and academic and social support groups. In 2017, the MIYHS added gender identity to the survey. 15. Macalester College was founded in 1874 and, to this day, only offers undergraduate four-year degree programs. The center provides opportunities for learning, leadership, and connection to the community. 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. The Program for LGBTQ Health connects community members to LGBTQ-competent health providers both on campus and in the local community. It is also a resource center for survivors of sexual violence, assault, or domestic abuse. 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. There is a focus on the intersectionality of gender, race, religion, and sexuality. They allow students to select the name by which they are known and that is one the schools records. The LGBTQ Student Center at the University of Miami provides the community a breadth of both virtual and face-to-face options for support. Known for one of the nations best campus dining halls, Tufts is also the alma mater of queer icon Tracy Chapman. Guilford College ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Penn State provides a higher learning platform on its 24 campuses and through its 18 colleges. 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. Although the number of LGBTQ+ students attending U.S. colleges is increasing, these students face challenges. Macalester College ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The center connects members of the LGBTQ+ community to other resources, both on campus and nationally. They have a Queer Resource Center (QRT) offering resources and programming to support all students at PSU. September 15, 2018. LGBT friendly colleges provide a safe space for queer young people, while helping prepare them for a workforce that is still frequently hostile. Their mission is to create an environment of respect, equity and, social justice through programming, outreach and education. In this minor, students are informed about the intersectional experience of gender and sexuality and they way they move within all humans. 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 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. We want to hear what you have to say! Lehigh has established SafeZones throughout the campus, where staff, students and faculty are trained to professionally handle gender diversity issues. Their mission is to promote a respectful culture of integrity. The community has on- and off-campus resources available for support. 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. 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). Macalester has been ranked one of CCs best River and Lake Colleges. They are the director of the Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the Trans Policy Clearinghouse coordinator for Campus Pride. However, some schools have made advances to provide targeted support for trans and nonbinary students, LGBTQ+ students, and LGBTQ+ students of color. 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 center works to create a welcoming climate through advocacy, education, and community building. They do this through increasing awareness, leadership development, and various other resources. Emme, a transgender high school student, first started struggling with her gender identity when she was around 11 or 12 years old, she says. 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 . The latest national and state data show a mental health crisis as a . 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. In partnership with Campus Pride, we are happy to bring you our top 25 most LGBTQ+-friendly colleges in the United States. Weve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck. For college students seeking LGBTQ+-friendly colleges, a helpful resource to consider in your research is Campus Pride, a national organization for college students seeking support and resources for LGBTQ+ issues on campus. It has received a five star rating in the LGBT Friendly Campus Climate Index. In 2018, two Elon students produced a documentary which was screened at the NC Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the second largest LBGT film festival in the southeast region of the U.S. Tufts Universitys LGBT Center was established in the early 1990s to act as a social and educational hub for LGBT alumni and students. They created a certificate in EDI for faculty and staff as part of their professional development. Tufts University offers gender inclusive housing (known as the Rainbow House) through its campus pride initiative. Ithaca Colleges LGBT center was established in 2001 and continues to provide a supportive and welcoming environment for LGBT students and their allies. It is also recognized as one of the top-ranked schools that generate Fulbright Scholarship beneficiaries. The QSR provides programming for members of various communities such as Black queer and trans students, queer and trans people of color, academic-focused programs, and queer faith-based initiatives. Tufts University ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The center works closely with other campus identity centers to achieve this goal. Other courses address sex related issues, including sexual abuse and intimacy issues. Tufts University is a research university that was established in 1852. The program connects community members to campus and local resources for support. A girls high school basketball team in Vermont is receiving national headlines after refusing to play against a team with a transgender player in their state tournament game. 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 counseling center provides confidential assistance. Tufts University is comprised of ten schools across four Boston campuses and another in the French Alps. 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. The organization provides speakers from the community to present in classes, residence halls, or other events. 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There are many LGBTQ+ resources available to students to build community. According to studies of LGBTQ youth by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a median of 7.9% of students in the U.S. identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual and an . The Pride Center offers access to resources for students, parents, faculty, guardians and Lehigh Universitys alumni. GSAs are made up of students of any sexual orientation or gender identity, not just gay students. 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. The Dartmouth College Office of Pluralism and Leadership (OPAL) provides community-specific campus resources to various student populations, including the LGBTQ+ community. Policies or organizations that work for one college may not work for another, so defining LGBT friendly colleges means sorting through and analyzing. The Best Colleges for LGBTQ+ Students Increased visibility of LGBTQ+ students on campuses has increased the need for support networks. The focus is critical thinking and social analysis about larger social and institutional formations. Los Angeles LGBT Center: Out for Safe School Campaign. Elon University (Elon) offers a Gender & LGBTQIA Center to promote tolerance and inclusion across its campus. Center, or Title IX concerns. 2023 College Consensus | All Rights Reserved. Here are the top-ranked colleges for LGBTQ+ support. The Galerstein Gender Center (GGC) has been part of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion since 1996. Organizations involved in this effort include the K-State Sexuality and Gender Alliance, the LGBTQ+ Faculty Staff Alliance, the Gender Collective, and oSTEM. The center offers a safe and supportive space of inclusion advocacy and social justice. Kenyon College ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The center works to create a welcoming climate through advocacy, education, and community-building. This unique initiative built a comprehensive library resource (i.e. It is also known for its unique Out! Mid Vermont Christian . Multiple residence halls provide gender-inclusive housing and student activities coordinated by Guilford College Pride. The All-Gender Community housing is a model community where students of all genders are welcome. They advocate and celebrate those identities that continue to be marginalized. The power to build inclusivity for LGBTQ+ students is not in the hands of teachers alone. 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. Ithaca College is a private college founded in 1892. 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 University of Colorado at Boulder was established in 1876 five months before Colorado became a state. 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.. 3 In 2014, young gay and bisexual Virginia has moved to restrict the rights of trans students in its public schools. 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. 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 Get the BestColleges ranking seal. Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) supports their LGBT students through their established LGBTQ+ Culture Center, a program administered by the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs. The center offers social activities such as Wednesday Wine Downs, LBGTeas, open houses, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and Safe Space training. Rachel Stonecipher, who taught English at MacArthur High . All students should ensure their institution of choice is a good fit for them, but LGBTQ+ students have additional details to consider. The Health Center provides counseling as well as wellness promotion and gender-affirming support. 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. Center staff are available for consultations to provide support and guidance to the LGBTQ+ community. The LGBT Center provides a space for those exploring their gender identity. PSU ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. $3,250 to $12,000 (INR 2.6 Lakhs to INR 9.9 Lakhs) Colin Higgins Courage Award. Lambda Legal is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advocacy for members of 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. Since then, the university has built many resources for faculty, staff, and students in the community. Pride School Atlanta is a k-12 institution designed to be an alternative for LGBT students, though the school is open to any student who believes they're not getting the support they need. Various campus and legal services are also available for support and engagement. 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. UMD College Park ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. K-State has a chapter of Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM) dedicated to fostering leadership for LGBTQA individuals in STEM fields. Northern Arizona University LGBTQIA Commission is an organization that provides support to all students, faculty, and staff at the university. 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. There are almost a dozen student groups catering to LGBTQIA+ and the challenges they face. The website provides tips on how to get involved, courses on gender and sexuality, health resources, workshops, and events pertinent to the community. It has since grown to provide support, learning and research opportunities, and employment and leadership development for LGBTQ+ students. Their programming involves social, academic, and advocacy opportunities, as well as health promotion and financial support. A 2020 American College Health Association study reported that out of a cohort of 8,000 surveyed, 21% identified as LGBTQ+. Additionally, HMC provides gender inclusive housing options. 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. The University of Washington (UW or U-Dub) opened The Q Center, primarily run by students, that offers advising, policy advocacy and mentoring services to anyone regardless of their identified gender or sexual preference. Image Credit: RobinOlimb / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images, 2023 BestColleges.com, a Red Ventures Company. 25 LGBTQ Friendly Colleges for 2021 Top Consensus Ranked Top 5 1 Princeton University 2 Harvey Mudd College 3 University of Pennsylvania 4 Macalester College 5 Elon University LGBT friendly colleges are critical for the safety and well-being of gay, lesbian, trans, and nonconforming young people all over the nation. Programming includes LUally training, mentorship, and a wide range of resources written for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Pride Center library. 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 best estimate of how many GSAs exist in Catholic schools comes from GLSEN's 2013 National School Climate Survey, in which only 18 percent of LGBTQ students at private religious schools reported that their school had a GSA. Despite allowing student-teachers and practicums from Arizona Christian University for the last 11 years without incident, the five-member governing board of the Washington Elementary School District in Arizona has unanimously voted to stop the practice because of the perceived threat the students' biblical value system poses to LGBT students. 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). The office also provides connections to community activism and support programs. SDSU creates and strengthens an inclusive and affirming space and environment for persons of all sexual and gender identities and their allies. The University of Louisville recognized a lack of competent healthcare for the unique needs of the LGBT community. A resource library also catalogs books, movies, and other resources. Off-campus community groups also create strong partnerships for the campus community. But the best colleges for LGBT students can truly be a matter of life or death.