https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-find-the-right-college-lgbtq-students
A little late for us since my kid’s college list is set, but for any of you still looking this article has some good stuff to think about. I will second their recommendation of checking the Campus Pride index and their List of Shame, those are great resources. I also appreciate that they pointed out that just because a college has strong LGB resources they may not be very advanced on the TQ portion of the acronym.
Good article, thanks for sharing. A few other ways to evaluate a school’s social climate would be to check out the LGBTQ center, assuming they have one. Is it a vibrant place with social activities going on, or is it primarily there to provide resources about dealing with discrimination? Is it crammed into an office that is sharing space with the office of diversity and international students (we found this at two schools. Those student populations can have very different needs although I’m sure there is overlap.) Does their application ask about how you identify?
Also, with a bit of googling, message boards and/or Facebook pages can provide some insight.
I went to an INCREDIBLY LGBTQ friendly college - New College of Florida - and it is not very highly ranked on Campus Pride index nor does it have a really flourishing LGBTQ center. That’s because about 35-40% of the campus identifies as being part of the LGBTQ spectrum in some way, there’s not a real “need” for a special group or resources to be devoted to that because that’s already a huge portion of the student body, it’s very normalized. Just a thought.
Most public colleges in California seem to have good resources for LGBTQ kids and a good social scene with a diverse group.
The list of shame in the article thankfully has but a handful of schools that I’ve ever even heard of in my life.
The few like BYU, aren’t as bad as pointed out. They actually had a gay student come out in his top student commencement speech this year. It was approved by school leadership and ok even in light of the Mormon belief systems.
The others seem to be fringe schools with a religious fanaticism. I wouldn’t attend even if they had pride parades every day. They have every right to practice their religion and we have every right to ignore them as schools.
There’s no getting around the fact that queer students at BYU are second-class citizens. Unlike straight students, they cannot date, hold hands, etc.
BYU honor code:
The valedictorian came out in solidarity after a classmate committed suicide from bullying after coming out his senior year. Not exactly a great look for the university, and it was not the first such incident. From a recent article in the student newspaper:
https://universe.byu.edu/2017/01/20/lgbt-byu-students-at-higher-risk-for-depression-suicide1/
BYU has a long and terrible history w/r/t LGBT students and I would never advise a student to attend school there. It was only 3 or so years ago that a student was beaten my his roommate and other boys on the hall for coming out as gay. Only two years ago, a professor was fired for making pro-LGBT remarks on her Facebook page (Freedom of Speech isn’t really a thing there but it doesn’t get attention ofc.)
I hope the recent speech is indicative of changes coming and support within the community, I really do. But they should in no way be given a pass. There’s still a ban on “homosexual behavior” (including anything that could be misconstrued as flirting) and they still won’t let LGBT students establish a club.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigham_Young_University_LGBT_history
This was a list of shame commentary. Not at all saying BYU is a great example of support, commentary.
Most of the schools on the shame list are nobodies and cultish.
My thought was at least the leadership reviewed the speech and approved it. It’s a start in the right direction.
However tbh. If lgbtq parents and students want more willing allies on board. Don’t jump down their throat when trying to voice an opinion that differs from yours. It creates an environment that isn’t super supportive to open dialogue. It makes people clam up and say ok. “Talk to you later. I’ll shut up now. “ It’s not useful for advocacy to be so strident to those who are on your side. It makes the less knowledgeable folks afraid to say the wrong thing.
Especially if you’re looking for real change and not just to live in an echo chamber of agreement. One that doesn’t produce change at a larger level. FWIW.
^ amen (and that’s without any religious connotation). Acceptance requires acknowledging all points of view provided they’re not promoting physical harm.
Life’s a lot more interesting when you include many different voices in your circle. My best friend is my political polar opposite. He thinks I’m crazy and he is flat nuts. We have great conversations and debates. We would literally do anything for one another, especially in time of need (have done so already during trying family times). Hard to imagine these relationships forming with younger people who seemed closed off to anyone or thing on “the other side”. Very sad (and boring).
I honestly didn’t think anyone was jumping down your throat by pointing out the continuing problems at BYU for gay students on a thread about accepting environments for gay students. I think LGBT students/parents asking about schools where their kids can actually be out safely isn’t asking for an “echo chamber of agreement.”
If you felt attacked, sorry about that.