<p>I am a British high school pupil and interested in studying in America because of the broad liberal arts approach. However, I'm not too sure if I could live in America for four years. This may be a misconception, but I am concerned that the issue of homosexuality is very polarised in America and the gay community over the top and segregated from the rest of society. Currently, I go to a school which is very open to same-sex relations and affection: our head teacher is gay, many of our teachers are gay and pupils as young as thirteen are open with their sexualities. People don't mind experimenting and no one is judgemental of each other. The popular guys "have fun" with each other and are still the popular guys. The phrase "That's so gay" is rarely heard. I came out casually, by inference when I started (I hate the idea of having to formally announce my sexuality), and no one cared: no one asked me about it, everyone just carried on as normal and treated me as they did initially. There are many other gay people in my year group but we don't talk much; nobody gravitates towards people of their sexuality. I form friendships with disregard for who someone wants to sleep with. </p>
<p>Now that I've established my current, seemingly utopian situation, I'll get to the punch line. If/when I go to university in America, I want it to be the same way. I just could not be assed with roommate awkwardness because of sexuality, or people being either obsessed with LGBT or completely against homosexuality. I want it to be a non-issue, as it seems to be at Oxford (I heard one in four guys there have had gay sex!) - for everyone (gay, straight, bi, whatever) to be supportive of openness about sexuality. </p>
<p>Is Yale like this? Could anyone suggest additional/other prestigious colleges/universities that have this attitude? Places like Trinity College seem homophobic and places like Wesleyan seem over the top. I just want decent people; I don't mean to be negative, I just feel this is important for my happiness. If anyone has any personal experiences of UK/US or Oxbridge/Ivies then I would be delighted to hear about them.</p>
<p>Yale, based on what I’ve heard, is quite possibly in the “Goldilocks Zone” that you’re looking for: porridge that’s not too cold and not too hot. Google a bit. </p>
<p>Yale is known as the “gay ivy” due to sheer numbers and integration w/the entire community as a whole. Like any gathering of many people, you may find people who individually, may be uncomfortable or even outright hostile – but as a whole, Yale’s LGBT community is a very commonplace part of Yale as a whole. There are strident LGBT activists for certain issues just like there are activists for other issues. But I sense no polarization on campus. As for other colleges? I dunno. Just ask, I suppose.</p>
<p>You must be watching a lot “Fox News” over there in Great Britain! </p>
<p>IMHO, there doesn’t seem to be any difference between Yale and Harvard in regards to LGBT. In fact, as most US college campuses are bastions of liberalism, my guess is that you would find a welcoming LGBT community and campus at virtually all non-denominational colleges across the United States.</p>
<p>There is a pretty great cohort of LGBT people here and everyone is quite openminded and welcoming. I am told however that the gay dating scene is pretty week. But then, the dating scene in general is pretty weak…</p>
<p>In general, young people in the US accept differences much more willingly than older folks.</p>
<p>Colleges and universities are generally (with easily recognized exceptions) more willing to accept differences than any other institutions in the country.</p>
<p>The most selective universities (not just Ivies) and liberal arts colleges (think Vassar or Amherst) tend to be the MOST willing, not just to accept differences, but to celebrate them as well. There are clubs, magazines, campus resource centers, and more. Students who don’t like that usually don’t come to these schools – or if they do, they find themselves outnumbered and learn to shut up very quickly.</p>
<p>It is true. Yale is known as the “gay ivy”. What that means is that it is very liberal. LGBT students can be assigned a peer liaison along the same lines as other URM students. This liaison is an upperclassman who is there to help you in your adjustment. Look at Yale’s website, it is very enlightening.</p>
<p>@gibby That’s good news! @litotes The dating scene doesn’t bother me! @WasatchWriter Great - I’m exclusively looking at selective colleges so that’s great. @Tperry1982 Is that adjustment to college life? @musicmerit Thanks for the article, I’ve read it before. It does seem like the environment I would enjoy, but the article does imply that sexuality is a big thing at Yale which isn’t really what I want. I’m probably looking for something that doesn’t exist though. Will probably still apply to Yale - thanks!</p>
<p>Connecticut has had gay marriage since 2008; England and Scotland since earlier this year. The American Episcopal church has ordained gay priests since 1998 and has openly gay bishops; gay bishops don’t fly so well in the Church of England, which condemned the action of the Episcopal church and refuses to recognize gay Episcopal bishops.</p>
<p>@scottishbritish - Yale has freshman counselors (FROCOs) who assist all freshmen in their adjustment to Yale. They live on Old Campus with them and are affiliated with whatever residential college they have been assigned to. They help them navigate choosing classes, social scene, tell them what professors are good/bad, etc. In addition to the FROCO, minority students and LGBT students can opt to be assigned a peer liaison. This is a person who helps you to navigate Yale also. For example, the African American peer liaison can tell the AA freshmen males where the best place in New Haven is to get a hair cut - and no its not the HairCuttery. There are also peer liaisons for foreign students and they have their own pre-orientation program. It is obviously good to have another international student tell you what its like to travel thousands of miles from home and leave your culture behind. It is sometimes a shock.</p>
<p>Yale is very good at providing supports to its incoming freshman on all fronts. Most everyone finds their niche there.</p>
<p>I want to second Tperry1982’s endorsement of the frocos. My son is not LGBTQ, not a URM, not international, wasn’t homesick, is doing well academically, etc., but he would still say that the froco system was a strong support for him. They have snacks in their room!</p>
<p>@ThereAreLlamas Firstly, you’re missing the point. I’m not asking whether gay people are given rights; I’m asking what the attitude towards homosexuality is. By attitude, I do not mean exclusively whether gay people are “accepted” or not, rather whether there is a fuss made of sexuality (which can come from someone of any position on this issue). I want to go somewhere where friendships are made regardless of sexuality, not because of it. I’d hate to be somewhere where all the LGBT people hang out together just because they’re LGBT - that’s segregation, not assimilation! </p>
<p>Secondly, less than 700,000 people go to the Church of England on an average Sunday, out of 64 million - not an accurate representation of the UK! </p>
<p>Thirdly, I live in Scotland where the Church of England does not exist but the Episcopal Church does: :)</p>
<p>Still, thanks for your help - even though highlighting the legality of gay marriage in Conn doesn’t directly correlate to Yale’s attitudes, it does shed some light on the situation. :)</p>
<p>True IxnayBob - my D loves both her FROCO and her peer liaison. Probably sees her FROCO more though since he is located right in her entryway. Any yes, their suite always has snacks and is a great hangout place for the freshmen.</p>
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