<p>I've been admitted to Cornell's class of 2015 and I'll be attending. However, I was curious what gay life is like on campus. I kind of just assumed that it was at least somewhat active, since Cornell is an Ivy League school, but I just wanted first-hand opinions.</p>
<p>Also: would getting a single detract from my social life at all? I'm afraid to take a risk and get stuck with a roommate who doesn't approve of my being gay.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. Can't wait to see you on campus!</p>
<p>Getting a single will not detract from your social life. There are many singles for freshmen–Clara Dickson Hall is almost entirely singles, and there are lots of singles in Court/Mews/Bauer as well as other dorms with the exception of Donlan.
Cornell is enormously diverse and you can find people like you and different from you at every turn. I can’t give you specific information about gay life on campus, but an earlier thread about fraternities indicated that being gay is not a barrier to going Greek, which to me indicates that it’s pretty much a non issue.
I think getting a single freshman year is a good idea (for everyone)–then you can find your friends and be comfortable with group living going forward.</p>
<p>I disagree with the last point. I attended another Ivy and was clumped together with a group of 5 other guys. Three of them became lifelong friends even though we all came from incredibly diverse backgrounds. None of us were gay but if one or more had been, I think it would have been terriffic. I can understand your aprehension about a roomie who might be awkward but I think the upside potential (meeting people outside your comfort level) is one of the best things of a school like Cornell. Can you imagine your best friend being a straight guy? Why not? Def possible.</p>
<p>I vehemently dislike this attitude: "then you can find your friends and be comfortable with group living going forward. "</p>
<p>Might as well go to your state school with 30000 kids and join a fraternity your first week and never have a meal or go to a party for 4-5 years with anyone different than yourself? No thanks.</p>
<p>You’ll be at friggin CORNELL! Celebrate its diversity and get out there!</p>
<p>I did not mean to imply that the OP would have only 1 kind of friend. Of course the diversity is to be celebrated, and he or she will have plenty of diversity on the hall, suite, in class, in ECs, etc. He or she may well end up living in a group with many different kinds of people–gender, sexual orientation, majors, backgrounds, nationalities.</p>
<p>However, I have a young friend who is gay who ended up on a freshman hall full of behemoth athletes whose favorite phrase was “That’s so gay.” There was no bullying, but it was not an atmosphere in which he felt very comfortable. He survived and made many friends of every stripe, outside his hall, but his single room was a haven for him in that environment. You just never know whether your roommate will be a congenial companion. I think we learned this with the horrific incident at Rutgers earlier this year.</p>
<p>And at Cornell, because there are so many singles, there is no anti-social stigma attached to being in one. And you will be the envy of your friends who have roommate problems!</p>
<p>People were generally accepting of gay people. I wasn’t comfortable enough to come out until my senior year but my suitemate frosh year was out. People had no problems with that at all. it’s 2011 i think the whole gay thing doesn’t matter anymore.</p>
<p>well I came out my junior year and found a bf. He was in a frat and was on a varsity sports team. he came out senior year and people in his frat and sports team were supportive. What most guys apologized for was saying “thats so gay.” they explained that they used it more as a commonplace slang and that they didn’t mean any offense to gay people. So if people near you say it, you should ask them to refrain from using it and they’ll stop. There are some bigots at cornell too. However, only few of 'em exist. I knew some really conservative people who disagreed with my lifestyle but they were all respectful and some even supported gay rights. </p>
<p>As for gay life, while i was there, there was an underground gay social scene known as the gay mafia (check link below). had about 180++ members? I think there were more than 400 out/semi out people that i knew that were gay. the mafia frequently had parties in peoples apts and bars. Theres an active GSA at cornell. They host numerous events like homocoming, filthy gorgeous (best dance party at cornell a lot of str8 people go too), and guest speakers about gay rights.</p>
<p>Also, if you contact housing, they try to accommodate your needs. If you say you’re gay and you are worried about having a conservative and religious roomate, they give you a single or find you another gay roommate. So if you are set on cornell i’d give them a call.</p>
<p>Ithaca is also very gay friendly. I see gay/ lesbian couples in downtown sometimes and I hold my hand with my bf and no one cares.</p>
<p>if you have any other questions you can email me.</p>
<p>As an additional note, beginning in Fall 2011, the Multicultural Resource Center (I think that’s what they’re calling it) will be housed at 626 Thurston Ave (the old “Alumni House”), which is right on North Campus by the bridge. The center will also house the Gay & Lesbian Resource Center, which not only will serve as a support center, but also feature social activities (as well as support and activities for other minority groups). So it will be a short walk from your dorm.</p>