Being Gay at GW?

Colleges and Universities A-Z George Washington University
1

<p>As the title probably implies, I have a question about gay life at GW. There was a similar topic discussed in 2006, but I thought it was time for an update.
As a gay admitted ED I student, I know GW is very liberal and accepting, but I have a few specific questions.
1.) Do most gay guys date guys from GW or from other schools?
2.) Has anyone here had a gay roommate?
3.) Do most of the gays tend to hang out together in cliques? Or do gay guys and straight guys hang out together?
4.) Do a lot of gays join fraternities at GW?</p>

<p>That's it for now. Thanks for reading (and possibly answering). Happy New Year mates!</p>

2

<p>Because GW is an urban campus, it is not a traditional college environment. Students spend their time in Goergetown, on Capitol Hill, exploring the many arts and entertainment opportunities in the city, etc. I can’t respond to who GW gays date or whether a lot of gay guys join fraternities, but I can tell you it is a very flexible community, in some part at least, because the university’s boundaries really extend to the district’s boundaries.</p>

3

<p>The campus is extremely liberal and a seasonal runner up for being one of the most politically active, draw your own conclusions.</p>

4

<p>People jest that cute guys at GW are either gay or Jewish.</p>

<p>The Out Crowd, a gay club, is very active. There are plenty of events, such as movie nights, to attend. Sure, there’s some hate anywhere you go-- I’m not going to say it’s all jolly or that everyone will accept you. They won’t-- and don’t-- no matter where you go. But, GW and DC are reasonably accepting. Hell, there are DRAG SHOWS annually in DuPont Circle. Is that not reasonably accepting, or what? This is a fairly liberal city.</p>

<p>It’s a politically and socially liberal campus. </p>

<p>It’s not like it’s rural Maine. </p>

<p>There are plenty of gay students and plenty of gay clubs/bars to go out to.</p>

<p>How on earth would anyone here know who gay guys, or straight guys for that matter, date… and whether they date off-campus or on-campus?</p>

<p>People date who they want, regardless of their orientation or culture. Maybe you meet a guy at the gay bar(s) near/in DuPont Circle. Maybe you date a gay GW student. Maybe you run into a gay Georgetown student at an internship and start dating. Weird question.</p>

<p>Like I said, there are plenty of gay students, so most people have had or know someone who have had a gay roommate. It’s not like roomming with an alien. Most straight people consider it no big deal. Roomming with anyone can be awkward. If you get a roommate who just can’t deal with a gay roommates (or any other trait or habit you have), you could request a room change. Most people around here don’t notice orientation that much. I wouldn’t make such a big deal about it if I was you. People rarely ask what one’s orientation is. </p>

<p>I’ve never see stats on gays joining frats. Of the gay men I know, I can’t say that many are in frats. Actually, frats aren’t a bit deal at GW, period. Greek life is a minor thing here.</p>

<p>People tend to make friends with people with similar interests and beliefs as them, overall. That means, of course, gay people often make friends with gay people. It’s convenient. There are plenty of gay bars/dance clubs to go to. And, of course, straight and gay and white and purple or rich and poor and whatever people can and are friends with other people. You can always seek friends from whatever social circle you’re interested in. Don’t shove your life choices or traits or culture or whatever in someone’s face, and they usually won’t shove theirs in your face. If you act very “flaming” and “flirting,” you might make a particular prospective straight friend uncomfortable, but if you tone it down, most people aren’t total d**ks. Sometimes you’ll run into a sexist, racist, or whatever “-ist” they are, but those are a relative minority here. Plenty of straight and gay people are friends. Plenty of straight people visit gay dance clubs/bars sometimes too. It’s no big deal. Yes, even Democrats can be friends with Republicans, too. People tend to be drawn to people with similar values, beliefs, lifestyles, life choices, and backgrounds as them— but that doesn’t mean you won’t have friends 100% different than you so long as you can find some common ground or interest.</p>

5

<p>I think at any school in any environment, a student will face adversary regardless of their sexual orientation, race, gender, etc…etc… I face problems like those at my current high school just make sure you find a close knit group of people you feel comfortable with… That is the key to success at any place.</p>

6

<p>Short answer: GW is known for its sizable gay community. You will make gay friends. You will hook up with plenty of guys and go on dates, etc. I’m gay and a junior at GW.</p>

<p>1.) Do most gay guys date guys from GW or from other schools?
Most of the gay guys I know at GW have at least dated someone from GW during their time there, but just like straight people it goes in cycles. At times, it feels like there are very few couples I know. Some guys date guys from other schools too. There’s not like a trend I can find. </p>

<p>But there’s a large pool for you to find a dude if you really want. Colonial Inauguration is a bastion of gayness. You’ll meet other gays easily, probably have an awkward hookup with your CI roommate or something. Or if you don’t meet any, just head by an Allied in pride meeting or sign up for GW theatre or The Hatchet. Lots of gays everywhere.</p>

<p>2.) Has anyone here had a gay roommate?
I have lived with two straight guys and a gay guy (my best friend). If you’re gay, I’d sort of advise against a gay roommate freshman year. You both will be in a whirlwind of gayness and there’s always that chance of sexual tension. Not worth the trouble. Very, very unlikely that a straight guy you live with will be uncomfortable. I waited till sophomore year to room with a gay guy. </p>

<p>3.) Do most of the gays tend to hang out together in cliques? Or do gay guys and straight guys hang out together?
Some cliques, sure. At times gay cliques at GW can be overwhelming but there’s plenty of room for balance. It’s all about what kind of student orgs you get involved with, you’ll meet great people gay and straight. You’ll figure it out.</p>

<p>4.) Do a lot of gays join fraternities at GW?
Sure! I’m in a fraternity. Plenty of gay guys are in fraternities, although not like the vast majority or anything. Frats that are most gay friendly = Delta Tau Delta, Sigma Chi, and Beta Theta Pi, I’d say. Most are gay friendly in general though. I’d recommend rushing and just checking out the ones you hear good things about. It never hurts to rush / get free food.</p>

7

<p>By the way, Maine is actually pretty accepting of alternative lifestyles. fwiw ;)</p>

8

<p>I am a GW grad. At GW, this is a non-issue. We are a real liberal arts college. Nobody cares about your preferences, in fact, rather than tolerance, there is embracing other people preferences. It is what if forms GW’s fabric. I am straight, but I did have tons of gay friends. They are however, more males than female gays in ratio. Some of my gay friends referred the school as Gay W, and it was taken lightly by both parties. Our school cares about your academic performance, not of what you do or don’t do. I loved every minute of my time there, the best 4 years of my life. Good luck!</p>

9

<p>you don’t need to stress at all. you’ll be very welcome here. gay people do participate in Greek life. From what I’ve seen personally, there is a bit of a gay clique. however, I don’t think you’ll have a problem making straight friends. the people you hang with is all up to you. can’t speak to dating, but I know that there are gay bars or clubs you can try</p>

10

<p>i lived in a 6 freshman year, and one of my roommates was gay and we all got along fine. don’t worry about it, really</p>

11

<p>Multitasker-- </p>

<p>Hah, I’ve heard the “Gay W” remark too. It’s true. DC, and GWU, make for a relatively decent place to be gay.</p>

<p>Definitely not a very big deal to be gay here. My friends that came out said it nonchalantly mid-conversation, and others present hardly noticed they just came out. It was a non-issue. They might as well have said they liked coffee… nobody cared or reacted much to what they just said. There still is some homophobic hate on rare(r) occasion, but it’s not as bad as in some other places and is much more rare.</p>

12

<p>The Gay community is out and proud here at GW. :slight_smile: It’s awesome. I knew a bunch of Gay people at GW and they were accepted. brandnew gave you good advice!</p>