<p>Hi, everyone- I'm an openly gay guy and just got accepted to Colgate. I'm also in Fordham, which I know has a big gay scene, but I'm wondering what it's like at Colgate. I want a school where gays are accepted on campus and where there's a decent-sized population of them. Is that true of Colgate?</p>
<p>Off the top of my head… there’s Big Gay Weekend/Drag Ball (an (awesome) annual event), Rainbow Alliance (LGBTQ group), Advocates (gay/straight alliance), speakers on campus (B. D. Wong was there one year), and “safe-zone training” that I think everyone in the administration gets, as well as RAs and other students interested. There’s a newsletter published… monthly? Semesterly? called “Out and About” (more here: [Colgate:</a> LGBTQ](<a href=“http://www.colgate.edu/lgbtq]Colgate:”>LGBTQ Studies | Colgate University) ) I remember something about Colgate being ranked as among the more gay-friendly schools in some publication…</p>
<p>In my experience, people of any orientation were accepted easily, but that may not be true among all groups (mens varsity sports teams come to mind…). Still, there are openly gay students that are at the top of student government and the 2007 winner of the 1819 award (which is a HUGE, huge deal) was out and really involved on campus with LGBTQ issues. Though Colgate has a reputation for being a bit WASPy, there’s plenty of students of different backgrounds - and we could always use more!</p>
<p>Absolutely but know that your dating pool/sex life is going to suck! None of the gay guys I knew had a relationship until their junior year abroad, summer, or after Colgate when they were able to go out and actually meet people. </p>
<p>The community as a whole is very, very supportive and will help you out with whatever you need. People aren’t going to shun you for being openly gay, especially given the presence of these students in high and influential leadership positions. There is also a SAFE house in the townhouse community that you can live in as well. Some of the frats will be open to admitting gays as well (okay, maybe I am thinking of one particular one). So I wouldn’t worry.</p>
<p>That would be my S’ fraternity. He told me they pledged gays and a brother came out after becoming a member. </p>
<p>I was shocked and thrilled that his frat was so progressive. He told me , “No big deal it was not an iissue.”</p>
<p>I was so proud that things have come so far.</p>