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. LGBT High School Students | ACLU Delaware It is considered a top research university. UW-Eau Claire has a Gender & Sexuality Resource Center dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive campus for all students. The Safe Space Program at Virginia Wesleyan University seeks to create a safe and bias-free campus environment for the LGBTQ+ 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. THE LGBTQ Center maintains a library of resources and historical artifacts related to key moments in the history of the community. Those attending Harvey Mudd College proudly call themselves Mudders, and theyre frequently ranked among the best small colleges in the nation. The Resource Center offers education on being a LGBT and Trans ally. 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. These 25 institutions are the highest-ranking colleges and universities known for their queer-friendliness. 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. Bullying: LGBT Youth - Mental Health America | Homepage | Mental Health Her work focuses on training healthcare pro Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D. (he/him), is a scholar, writer, and editor. The LGBTQ Student Center at the University of Miami provides the community a breadth of both virtual and face-to-face options for support. Additional support includes access to specialized legal services, health initiatives, and professional and academic development with an LGBT+ focus. The latest national and state data show a mental health crisis as a . The center provides holistic and transformative opportunities for student, faculty, and staff members. 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. Title IX for employee or student harassment of transgender students when there is notice of harassment, followed by deliberate indifference and a failure to respond appropriately.10 If a complaint is filed alleging discrimination or harassment of a transgender student, school officials should work closely with the district's attorney. It is also known for its unique Out! They believe differences should be celebrated and they stand as a model for diversity through their student body and their programming. He is co-founder and executive director of Campus Pride. 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. College diversity initiatives have expanded their definition to include LGBTQ+ students. Los Angeles LGBT Center: Out for Safe School Campaign. In his kindergarten classroom, one teacher in western Massachusetts using "Rights, Respect, Responsibility" introduces the idea . Various campus and legal services are also available for support and engagement. Theyre a LGBT friendly college believing in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The purpose of the center is to create an inclusive community on campus. CU offers its LGBT students the opportunity to join the Lavender Graduation, a yearly event that honors LGBT graduates. The Q Center was created in 2005 as a result of a letter to the university president requesting a safe space for queer students. "We are aware of the situation with one student at one of our high schools who is dissatisfied with SBISD practices, which are applied to all athletes at that campus." They have a Queer Resource Center (QRT) offering resources and programming to support all students at PSU. UW ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The approach of this minor is to study sexuality in relation to the social construction of gender, race, and class. Many colleges struggle to provide data-driven programs to support these students. 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. 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 is also recognized as one of the top-ranked schools that generate Fulbright Scholarship beneficiaries. 15. There are also scholarships and grants available for community members. Christian Florida school tells parents gay and transgender students Lehigh has also frequently been named one of the most beautiful campuses in the US, in addition to the most welcoming. The LGBTQ+ Peer Mentor Program matches new students to returning students to facilitate the transition into university. It serves to foster a safe campus environment and affirm members of its community. Rutgers University provides comprehensive support to the LGBTQ+ community through multiple events, workshops, housing, and other resources. University of Pennsylvania Location Philadelphia, PA Tuition $24539 The Ohio State University Location Columbus, OH Tuition $18042 University of California - Los Angeles Location Los Angeles, CA Tuition $14760 Washington University in St. Louis Location St. Louis, MO Tuition $27777 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Location Cambridge, MA Lola Rossi, a student at Haddon Heights High School in N.J., with the. Catholic high schools must support LGBTQ students - U.S. Catholic The Pride Center at Lehigh University has a strong history of consistent development since its first student organization was created in 1972. Edited by Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D. Their mission is to proactively foster academic (and personal) success by building a campus that understands and appreciates LGBT students, faculty and alumni issues. We believe in education, inspiration, and inclusion in all programs and events. Off-campus community groups also create strong partnerships for the campus community. According to U.S. News & World Report, MAC ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 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.". Have inclusive and representative curriculum. The center connects members of the LGBTQ+ community to other resources, both on campus and nationally. 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. MAC shows its LGBT campus pride by offering gender inclusive housing for students identifying as LGBT. LGBTQ+ Students and Educators | NASSP Although the number of LGBTQ+ students attending U.S. colleges is increasing, these students face challenges. Whether through regular campus events, housing and safe spaces, or training opportunities, there is robust support available. 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. 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. According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the Household Pulse Survey administered by the Census Bureau suggests that 20 million adults in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+. A Vermont girls high school basketball team forfeited an out of state tournament after refusing to play against a team that had a transgender player.. Schools | National Center for Transgender Equality 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. Ohio State University (Ohio State), through the Office of Student Lifes Multi-cultural Center, administers a variety of LGBT campus pride initiatives. Connecticut College's LGBTQIA Center was founded in 2007 by a group of students in conjunction with a faculty member. New Title IX rules set to assert rights of transgender students. Enlarge this image. They also provide training and initiatives related to allyship, social justice, and mental health and wellness. The university regularly participates in LGBTQ+ admission fairs and provides an orientation and mentoring program for first-year students. They allow students to select the name by which they are known and that is one the schools records. Connecticut College ranks 4.5 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. In 2015, Thomas-Reuters ranked UC (28th) among the most innovative educational institutes of higher learning in the world. These universities are: Augsburg College, Elon University, Harvey Mudd College, Guilford College, Indiana University Bloomington, Ithaca College, Kansas State University, Kent State University, Kenyon College, Lehigh University, Macalester College, Montclair State University, Northern Kentucky University, Purdue University, Portland State In fact, according to the Human Rights . 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. WVU ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. American University in Washington, D.C. provides LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff with significant supportive resources through its Center for Diversity and Inclusion. In a Wall Street Journal survey, corporate recruiters ranked graduates of Penn State #1 in terms of their ability to reach for success when hired. Transgender Student Rights in 2021 - MASSP The University of New Mexico ranks 4 on the Campus Pride Index. This was a foreshadowing of Princeton Universitys egalitarian ethos. Girls high school basketball team forfeits tournament rather than play Other sources of support include identity-affirming care, emergency funds for urgent needs, and housing. Kenyon College ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Center staff are available for consultations to provide support and guidance to the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ-Unfriendly Colleges | The Princeton Review 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.". Schools Struggle to Support LGBTQ Students | Edutopia 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. Fast-forward two and a half centuries, into the new millennium, where Princeton remains true to their principles of justice. The Gay Liberation Front chapter at the University of Michigan created the Spectrum Center in 1971, to support their LGBTQ+ community. 3 In 2014, young gay and bisexual UMass is also one of the best theater colleges in the country. The center also facilitates participation in events such as the Pride Parade, Black Gay Pride Week, Dragstavaganza, and Trans Day of Remembrance. It also hosts speakers, film series, receptions, and other social gatherings. Their Dandelion Initiative is a new persistence program serving the non-binary, transgender, and queer communities. 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. Reviewed by Angelique Geehan Updated June 25, 2022 Learn more about our editorial process Organizations involved in this effort include the K-State Sexuality and Gender Alliance, the LGBTQ+ Faculty Staff Alliance, the Gender Collective, and oSTEM. Several factors that can help improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ young people include: Addressing LGBTQ+-related stigma, discrimination, and violence Building on the strengths of LGBTQ+ youth Fostering supports such as family acceptance and safe, affirming environments in schools and other settings $3,250 to $12,000 (INR 2.6 Lakhs to INR 9.9 Lakhs) Colin Higgins Courage Award. In 2017, the number graduates who had earned a degree from Ohio State neared 750,000. The resource library also catalogs books, movies, and other resources. In partnership with Campus Pride, we are happy to bring you our top 25 most LGBTQ+-friendly colleges in the United States. bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, history, and events. Antonian College Preparatory High School, San Antonio, TX, has adopted a new policy which threatens to expel transgender students. Rutgers University, located in New Brunswick, NJ, is a top rated LGBT University. Public middle and high schools were required to follow the sex ed laws in the California Healthy Youth Act beginning in 2016, . The GGC provides support to the LGBTQ+ community through specialized advising, training, lectures, workshops, and celebratory advocacy. Gender-inclusive housing, scholarship opportunities, health care, faculty representation, and the availability of student organizations and mentorship opportunities are all important factors to LGBTQ+ student success. Virginia has moved to restrict the rights of trans students in its public schools. 2023 College Consensus | All Rights Reserved. Guilford College's Diversity and Inclusion office provides a number of support services for members of the LGBTQ+ community. For decades, colleges and universities have been at the vanguard of culture, whether that meant protecting artistic expression or giving young people a forum to voice their political views. SDSU is one of the top LGBT friendly campuses and the second college in the US to offer LGBT Studies as a major. We want to hear what you have to say! They offer training on the proper pronoun usage and how to engage in a conversation about which pronoun to use. Bowdoin College ranks 4 on the Campus Pride Index. There are many ways for students to get involved at the GSRC, with volunteer or service-learning opportunities. Pennsylvania State University was established in 1855 as a land-grant school known as the Farmers High School of Pennsylvania. Start the Survey . It consistently ranks among the top one hundred public institutes of higher learning in the country. 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. UofL ranks 5 on the Campus Pride 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. It serves the entire UMass community and provides cultural and educational programming, LGBTQIA ally training, a library, information and support. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. 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 power to build inclusivity for LGBTQ+ students is not in the hands of teachers alone. The LGBT Center at Tufts University offers a safe space for students to gather, as well as campus-wide programming on sexuality, gender, and discrimination. California schools haven't fully embraced laws - CalMatters University of Oregon, located in Eugene, OR, is one of the top LGBTQIA+ campuses in Oregon. At the high school level, counselors are forming LGBTQ support groups to provide outlets for these students to discuss specific issues and concerns. The provide advisement, advocacy and support for LGBTQIA+ students. Tufts University is comprised of ten schools across four Boston campuses and another in the French Alps. 14 Best LGBTQ Scholarships for Students in 2023 - ScholarshipInstitute.org The center has collaborative initiatives with other diversity programs on campus to facilitate support to the community. University of Louisville, located in Louisville, KY, has a Health Services Center that focuses on the promotion of quality healthcare for the LGBT community and create an inclusive environment for students in health sciences. It has received a five star rating in the LGBT Friendly Campus Climate Index. One of Tufts Universitys earliest benefactors was none other than P.T. 2:02. The Best Colleges for LGBTQ+ Students | BestColleges 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. 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. Elon University, a liberal arts school, was established in 1889. It has the Gender Identity Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center (GIESOPRC), which is dedicated to the education, empowerment and engagement for LGBTQ+ students. 3 Nearly one-third (29%) of LGB youth had attempted suicide at least once in the prior year compared to 6% of heterosexual youth. There are many LGBTQ+ resources available to students to build community. Indiana University Bloomingtons ethos is to promote a campus of diversity and tolerance. The GSRC fosters a supportive environment with intellectual, personal, and cultural programming. The university also collaborates with many community programs in the city of Baltimore, including the Pride Center and Baltimore Pride. Ithaca College provides a vibrant and engaged community for LGBTQ+ students through their Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services. However, some schools have made advances to provide targeted support for trans and nonbinary students, LGBTQ+ students, and LGBTQ+ students of color. 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 center connects with the local community groups to provide enrichment opportunities for its members. Pursue Professional Development. 25 LGBTQ Friendly Colleges for 2021 | Features Rankings - College Consensus Promoting LGBTQ students' well-being in schools In addition to harassment in schools, many LGBTQ+ students experience family and peer rejection, bullying, and isolation. In 2017, the MIYHS added gender identity to the survey. Penn State provides a higher learning platform on its 24 campuses and through its 18 colleges. Like the Gallup data for adults, MIYHS data show the number of LGBT-identifying students has increased since 2009, but especially since 2017. The Program for LGBTQ Health connects community members to LGBTQ-competent health providers both on campus and in the local community. School alumni include Pulitzer Prize winners, Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars and Nobel laureates. Tufts University offers gender inclusive housing (known as the Rainbow House) through its campus pride initiative. School clubs provide safe spaces and support networks for LGBT students. The five strategies below provide action-oriented practices that can positively impact your LGBTQ students' experience while they are in school. BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. diverse students. The 2011 National School Climate survey recommends: Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs). The University of Colorado at Boulder was established in 1876 five months before Colorado became a state. ACLU steps in after student athlete is reprimanded by school officials There are almost a dozen student groups catering to LGBTQIA+ and the challenges they face. The Queer Student Resources (QSR) office creates spaces for students of all genders and sexualities to feel safe. 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. Students have the opportunity to create and design their preferred interdisciplinary coursework/degree. Inclusive curriculum benefits all students by promoting diversity and Students who attended schools with GSAs reported fewer homophobic remarks, more intervention from school personnel and a greater sense of connectedness. Tell us about life at your school. Barnum. The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) at Macalester College provides programming for its LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. Many of these awards are reserved for certain academic majors or LGBTQ+ subgroups. Of the top LGBTQ+-serving institutions, The Ohio State University has the largest overall student population and a strong support system for the LGBTQ+ community. 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. Through Macalester Colleges (MAC) Career Development Center, the college offers students a chance to participate, and run, its Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC). Best LGBTQ Scholarships to Study Abroad in 2023 | Leverage Edu The University of Utah's LGBT Resource Center began serving the LGBTQ+ university community in 2002, as a student initiative. The program support includes health and wellness initiatives, crisis response, and academic and social support groups. 1. Here are the top-ranked colleges for LGBTQ+ support. See the LGBTQ community page for more resources. Lehigh University is a private university that was established in 1865. Mid Vermont Christian . 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. You can find information about some of these laws or policies on NCTE's School Action Center. 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. Know Your Rights: Students & LGBTQ Rights at School Additionally, HMC provides gender inclusive housing options. A Vermont girls high school basketball team forfeited out of the Vermont Division IV state tournament after refusing to play against a team that includes a transgender player. Various student organizations provide opportunities for participation in social justice and other activities. University of Pennsylvania ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The Resource Centers signature initiatives include the UndocuQueer conference to highlight the intersection of undocumented immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. The city with the highest percentage of LGBTQ+ individuals per population was San Francisco. They created an open, supportive campus focused on ending racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia. The center staff provides referrals for campus resources such as counseling, the Kearney S.A.F.E. LGBTQ+ Youth and Schools - Public Schools First NC UPenns LGBT Center was the first of its kind and has operated as a social hub for 35 years. Among the LGBT friendly colleges, HMC is one of the most selective, as its acceptance rate is only 13%. They provide space for all members of the Duck community to explore their identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. A trans student can update a preferred name on student IDs, class rosters and other campus data. The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) proudly demonstrates its campus pride by offering The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center (LGBT Center) to its entire student body. 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 September 2016, the Michigan State Board of Education (SBE) approved its Statement and Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students. Portland State University (PSU), located in Portland, OR, is one of the top LGBT friendly schools. 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. OStem UMD promotes participation and the development of LGBTQA communities in STEM. . Washington University ranks 4.5 on the Campus Pride Index. It is the 5th oldest university in the United States, with the largest endowment per student. Ithaca College has set up all-gender restrooms across the campus. Ready, Set, Respect! There are a number of characteristics to look for on a college campus that supports LGBTQ+ students. Harvey Milk High School, New York City, US. 5 Schools Around the World Supporting LGBTQ+ Students' Access to Education 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. Nov. 4, 2022, at 5:18 p.m. In other words, inclusiveness is a grab-bag, based on choices that colleges make based on their own needs and student population. 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. According to BestColleges.com,Princeton University ranked first among the best colleges for LGBT for students. Unique opportunities include the Lavender Leadership Honor Society, the #TransTerps project, and the Rainbow Terrapin Network. Princeton ranks 5 on the Campus Pride Index. Peer support from LGBTQ+ organizations or mentorship programs can offer a safe space to explore identity or socialize with like-minded individuals. Here are the top-ranked colleges for LGBTQ+ support. 10 of the Most LGBTQ-Friendly US Universities | Top Universities GSAs are made up of students of any sexual orientation or gender identity, not just gay students. 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.