I am applying to Williams RD this year, and i really fell in love with the school. However, in all the research I have done about it, I have gotten varying information about the gay life there. Obviously it won’t be as prominent as a bigger or more urban school, but I would like to know if the student body is relatively accepting and there are at least some dating options? Any insight is appreciated!
Williams has been welcoming of students of all different sexual preferences and identities for a long time. I went there back in the late 80’s early 90’s. As a naive freshman during the first month of school, I made some dating game for a fun fundraiser, and it did not occur to me to provide any option other than male-female pairings. Well, I learned fast that there were people who would be excluded by that; people protested! I felt terrible. In retrospect, that is what college is about: learning to see the world through the eyes of people different from yourself.
I made several friends during the next four years who were gay. They all loved Williams.
I also recall that, on a parent visitation weekend, many students wore buttons in support of our peers that said, “Why Assume I’m Heterosexual?” And I recall attending a dance sponsored by some LGBTQ organization.
And that was 25 years ago. I imagine that Williams is even more aware and welcoming now. But you can reach out to a president of an LGBTQ organization at Williams and ask questions. Or visit a student group when you visit Williams and ask people some questions privately about how the dating scene is and how things are socially. Asking several individual students what they think is always a great way to find out what a school is really like.
Thank you so much for your insight! I am happy to hear that it is accepting and I will find like-minded people there.
Williams is definitely very accepting. You will find a strong LGBTQ community and a good ally base here, as well as almost campus-wide acceptance.
I myself am a gay Eph, so if have any more questions you would feel more comfortable asking in private, feel free to message me!