<p>My son (female to male) is putting a lot of importance while selecting a college if the college offers Gender Neutral Housing. If anyone has direct or indirect knowledge of the practical benefits of Gender Neutral Housing it would be helpful to give us some insight. </p>
<p>Do most of the students that utilize Gender Neutral Housing identify as Queer, Genderqueer, or Transgender?</p>
<p>Are you and your son aware of this website: campusclimateindex.org</p>
<p>It’s extremely useful when trying to find schools that are LGBT-friendly.</p>
<p>Thanks David. I am looking for the practical side of Gender Neutral Housing. I know more colleges are offering it, but I have not heard how much real benefit it is to those who use it.</p>
<p>I’ve never lived in gender-neutral housing, but I’m also FtM so I can see the benefits.</p>
<p>People who select gender neutral housing are probably a little more comfortable with casting off normal ideas of gender. That’s not to say everyone there is a radical queer trans feminist or anything, but by opting in to GNH (and I have never seen a place that will just put you there, you have to request it) they’re saying that living in mixed housing there are a higher percentage of people who may be trans or queer is a-ok. </p>
<p>When you’re talking about a place where you’re sharing bathroom facilities, bedrooms, and living space, that added bit of security can feel extra important. </p>
<p>If I were going to live in a dorm, I would probably pick one that was gender neutral.</p>
<p>That’s a great question. I also have no direct experience with gender-neutral housing because I went to a women’s college (with several female to male transgender students) but I have to admit that I never thought of gender neutral housing as being particularly inclusive. The reason why that has never crossed my mind is that here on this website, people usually discuss gender-neutral dorms in terms of added party potential. </p>
<p>Hmm… now I am actually curious if I am getting a distorted picture on College Confidential or if many gender neutral dorms aren’t as inclusive as they could be.</p>
<p>I’ve lived in gender-neutral housing for three semesters despite being cis-identified. On the practical side the benefits are that you don’t have to room with a person of the same gender. Additionally the bathrooms aren’t labelled which gets rid of the pressure to identify as either or and I guess saves odd looks from some some people. </p>
<p>I personally really liked living on gender-neutral floors because most people were queer and/or very welcoming and the atmosphere was very accepting. I would definitely recommend it. </p>
<p>But yes, looking at the CampusClimate is probably also a good way of assessing Campus atmohsphere.</p>