State laws and school district policies in many places also protect transgender students from discrimination. Gender neutral dorms are available for those students currently transitioning. Founded in 1989, the Gender + Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) was created to support and empower the LGBTQ+ community through events, education, and other initiatives. Indiana University Bloomingtons ethos is to promote a campus of diversity and tolerance. The Morrill Land Grant Act established the Ohio State University in 1870 as a public agriculture and engineering university. They offer a LGBT health certificate, which teaches healthcare students the knowledge to successfully treat LGBT patients. A battle over rainbow stickers at a high school near Dallas has hobbled the Gay-Straight Alliance and left LGBTQ students feeling unsafe. LGBTQ Student Guide | OnlineSchools.org Tufts University offers gender inclusive housing (known as the Rainbow House) through its campus pride initiative. Get the BestColleges ranking seal. Resources include the Trans Resource guide, LGBTQ housing options, and a weekly newsletter with updates on community events. The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) at Macalester College provides programming for its LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. Penn State launched the World Campus just before the turn of the 21st century. The scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $2,500. Brown University ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. 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. 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. IU Bloomington offers gender neutral housing that allows LGBT students to live their authentic selves on campus. They recruit and address the needs of the LGBTQA and STEM communities and those who have been underrepresented in the past. The Top 10 Trans-Friendly Colleges and Universities - Campus Pride Edited by Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D. Benjamin Franklin founded the University of Pennsylvania in 1740. UMass Amherst has The Stonewall Center, which is a lesbian, gay, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) Resource Center. They offer defined residential communities (DRC), which are hallways where students live with those that share similar interests, and identities. This was a foreshadowing of Princeton Universitys egalitarian ethos. 2023 College Consensus | All Rights Reserved. In his kindergarten classroom, one teacher in western Massachusetts using "Rights, Respect, Responsibility" introduces the idea . 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. 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. Cities considered LGBTQ+-friendly have well-established, safe communities with activities, nightlife, housing, and events that are appealing to the LGBTQ+ community. Rutgers University provides comprehensive support to the LGBTQ+ community through multiple events, workshops, housing, and other resources. 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. Get the BestColleges ranking seal. Adequate health services that provide counseling and gender-affirming treatment are also important factors. New Jersey is among four states that passed laws mandating that public schools incorporate LGBTQ-inclusive curriculums. The power to build inclusivity for LGBTQ+ students is not in the hands of teachers alone. Here are the top-ranked colleges for LGBTQ+ support. K-State ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. 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. Center staff are available for consultations to provide support and guidance to the LGBTQ+ community. 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.". Tufts University ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Penn State is a proud member of the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT resource. They do this through increasing awareness, leadership development, and various other resources. Antonian College Preparatory High School, San Antonio, TX, has adopted a new policy which threatens to expel transgender students. Support individual transgender and gender . SOU has a Queer Resource Center (QRC), which is dedicated to visible and accessible advocacy for the needs of LGBT students. This is due to changes and improvements made to the campus climate through the creation of a robust support network for students. 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. 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. 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. The center connects with local community groups to provide enrichment opportunities for its members. The Montana State University LGBTQ+ Resource directory provides a comprehensive look into all of the educational and support resources available to the campus community. They have a LGBT Resource Center dedicated to providing security, education, and a productive environment to their LGBT students. The Terrapins value a strong understanding of diversity. In partnership with Campus Pride, we are happy to bring you our top 25 most LGBTQ+-friendly colleges in the United States. It is important to note that the following list does not include states where there are no schools that rank on the Campus Pride Index or states that do not have at least a four-star rating on the Campus Pride Index. The Queer Student Resources (QSR) office creates spaces for students of all genders and sexualities to feel safe. Northern Arizona University ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. States with the highest LGBTQ+ populations include Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois. They teach students in the face of adversity to persevere, educate, take action, but also remember to care for themselves. The center provides opportunities for learning, leadership, and connection to the community. Teacher Who Wouldn't Use Transgender Students' Preferred - SHRM PSU ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The LGBTQ Student Center hosts a number of student organizations for its diverse populations. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. Other resources encourage connection, advocacy, and networking throughout the community. 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. 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. The organization's projects and initiatives are concentrated in five core values: social justice, youth voice and action, empowerment, positive change, and diversity. 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. The Best Gay-Friendly Schools - Newsweek 1. 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 "To do otherwise would not only be discriminatory but would deprive high school students of the meaningful opportunity to participate in educational activities, including inter-scholastic sports, based on sex-stereotyping and prejudice sought to be prevented by Title IX and Connecticut state law." expression. 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. US: Transgender sports inclusion violates others' rights - AP NEWS The GGC provides support to the LGBTQ+ community through specialized advising, training, lectures, workshops, and celebratory advocacy. Maine's High School Students Are Far More Likely Than Peers to Identify Ready, Set, Respect! The center works to create a welcoming climate through advocacy, education, and community building. LGBT High School Students | ACLU Delaware Reviewed by Angelique Geehan Updated December 15, 2022 Learn more about our editorial process 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. Graduate students can also participate in OUTgrads, LGBTQ+Med Alliance, OUTLaw, and other academic communities for support and guidance. The list of nearly 200 institutions, most of them religiously affiliated, includes Brigham Young University, Malone University, College of the Ozarks and Lee University. They host a InQueery Symposium which features a speaker and student presentations related to LGBTQ+. 1. LGBT friendly colleges are critical for the safety and well-being of gay, lesbian, trans, and nonconforming young people all over the nation. School district rejects student-teachers from Arizona Christian There are many ways for students to get involved at the GSRC, with volunteer or service learning opportunities. Guilford College ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Find out which schools made our list for best colleges for LGBTQ+ students in each state. Other courses address sex related issues, including sexual abuse and intimacy issues. 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? The purpose of the center is to create an inclusive community on campus. UMD offers all types of programming and panels to support their LGBTQA community. Schools | Youth.gov 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). Peer support from LGBTQ+ organizations or mentorship programs can offer a safe space to explore identity or socialize with like-minded individuals. The Campus Pride Index has recognized Macalester College as one of the best colleges for LGBT students in the nation. The Safe Space Program at Virginia Wesleyan University seeks to create a safe and bias-free campus environment for the LGBTQ+ community. This brief report highlights newly released data from the 2017 YRBS which focuses on transgender high school students (Johns et al., 2019). The Queer Resource Center began in 2003 as a response to the need for support and protection for the LGBTQ+ community. Up until the 1970s, incoming freshman wore dinks little brown hats and participated the Pajama Parade. It now offers more than 60 online degrees and certificates. 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. However, the presence of a strong campus pride network is a good indication of queer acceptance and protections; if students feel safe to form an active (and activist) organization, thats a pretty good sign that the institution is at least tolerant. Students who attended schools with GSAs reported fewer homophobic remarks, more intervention from school personnel and a greater sense of connectedness. Their mission is to promote a respectful culture of integrity. In this minor, students are informed about the intersectional experience of gender and sexuality and they way they move within all humans. 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. Harvey Mudd College provides a map that discloses the location of its gender neutral bathrooms across campus. New Policy Threatens to Expel Transgender Students from Catholic School Thanks to Massachusetts' efforts, we know the state's population of teens identifying as. Penn State provides a higher learning platform on its 24 campuses and through its 18 colleges. 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. Macalester College was founded in 1874 and, to this day, only offers undergraduate four-year degree programs. curriculum, teacher training, suicide prevention and transgender students to rate school districts' LGBTQ policies on a three-tier, color-coded scale. Ithaca College ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Schools Struggle to Support LGBTQ Students | Edutopia 1. Several events are organized each year through the Pride Alliance, but special interest groups, such as WashU Athlete Ally, oSTEM, Transcending Gender, and WashU Ace & Aro offer various options. Have inclusive and representative curriculum. Her work focuses on training healthcare pro Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D. (he/him), is a scholar, writer, and editor. The GIESOPRC has multiple resources and guides for those who would like to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community. Student academic and social organizations provide connections on campus, as do the LGBTQI Life programs. More than 75% of their student body includes members of their high schools top 10% graduating class. The Training Outreach Program promotes institutional equity by educating campus partners on issues facing the community. 12 New Jersey schools roll out LGBTQ curriculum pilot program - NBC News Campus Pride serves LGBTQ+ and allied student leaders and campus organizations in leadership development, support programs, and services to create safer, more inclusive, and LGBTQ+-friendly colleges and universities. The Galerstein Gender Center (GGC) has been part of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion since 1996. Additionally, HMC provides gender inclusive housing options. What It's Like to Be Out as LGBTQ At School | Teen Vogue 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. In 2017, the MIYHS added gender identity to the survey. 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. Known for one of the nations best campus dining halls, Tufts is also the alma mater of queer icon Tracy Chapman. Additionally, the Safe Space program allows the community to learn how to create a safe environment on campus. The center connects with the local community groups to provide enrichment opportunities for its members. Obviously, a vocal and well-promoted campus pride organization is a clear sign, but most LGBTQIA organizations are student-run; they dont show an institutional commitment. According to U.S. News & World Report, MAC ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Teacher Asks Court to Restore Suit on Trans Student Pronouns The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center (GRSC) at Macalester College provides programming for its LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. 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). 10 of the Most LGBTQ-Friendly US Universities | Top Universities OnlineSchools.org. The provide advisement, advocacy and support for LGBTQIA+ students. Partnerships with campus offices allow the center to leverage existing expertise into workshops, presentations, and conferences on topics affecting the community. One such DRC is Spectrum, which supports the rights and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and asexual people and their allies. For the fourth year in a row, Campus Pride Index has ranked Elon is among the top 30 LGBT friendly colleges. It fosters a safe campus environment and affirms members of its community. Guilford College's Diversity and Inclusion office provides a number of support services for members of the LGBTQ+ community. The 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Universities For 2023 - Best Value Schools The 2011 National School Climate survey recommends: Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs). Connecticut College's LGBTQIA Center was founded in 2007 by a group of students in conjunction with a faculty member. QST looks at how society and politics shapes sexual and gender expression norms. It serves the entire UMass community and provides cultural and educational programming, LGBTQIA ally training, a library, information and support. The school provides LGBT workshops regularly; addressing emerging LGBT issues on campus, and in the world. 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. Sex education has always been an undercovered topic in schools, but little to no coverage ever reaches the LGBT community. September 3, 2019. 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. They created a certificate in EDI for faculty and staff as part of their professional development. There is a focus on the intersectionality of gender, race, religion, and sexuality. Lambda Legal is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advocacy for members of the LGBTQ+ community. 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 Queer Mentoring and Peer Program provides peer support as students navigate the college experience alongside sexual orientation and identity. Center staff are available for consultations to provide support and guidance to the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout primary school and college, students who identify as LGBTQ are more susceptible to bullying, social isolation, and even physical assault. The Public Ivies, Little Ivies, and Other Ivy League Equivalents, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, State Ranking Methodology for LGBTQ+ Friendly Colleges, Top LGBTQ+ Friendly Colleges in Each State, The Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Life's, Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services, Office of Inclusion: Multicultural & LGBTQIA Student Services, Gender + Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC), The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Center, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Equity Center, Gender & Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Life Office, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $49,070, School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $55,822, School Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $57,112, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $56,540, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $55,605, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $53,070, School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $37,920, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $45,274, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $9,735, School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $56,340, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $56,062, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $5,654, School Accreditation: Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $10,018, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $9,466, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $6,462, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $51,870, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $9,208, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $52,857, School Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $13,442, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $57,324, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $10,728, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $12,730, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $11,732, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $8,824, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $50,400, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $16,212, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $6,090, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $6,299, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $4,788, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $51,156, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $7,412, School Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $16,392, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $10,370, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $7,361, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $50,800, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $36,010, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $54,250, Annual Undergraduate Tuition, In-State: $8,976.