<p>How likely is it for someone gay to get into a relationship?</p>
<p>[“/Is Caltech a gay-friendly school?”]</p>
<p>Yes, I think it is a happy school, just like all of them.</p>
<p>{/Is Caltech a gay-friendly school?}</p>
<p>But, I could be wrong.</p>
<p>To answer your first question, Caltech is, to my knowledge, a gay-friendly school. The way I understand it, “gay-friendly” means that GLBTQ community is not discriminated against. Generally, people here are extremely acceptable of other people’s religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and even shower schedules (or lack thereof). </p>
<p>To answer your second question, I know several people that are gays/lesbians. Most of them have had relationships, including relationships with other Caltech students. However, I cannot tell you how “easy” it would be for someone who is gay to get into a relationship here at Caltech since it would largely depend on that someone’s personality/looks/other personal attributes.</p>
<p>Well, my only reservation is the size of the campus…</p>
<p>I guess, awkward question, but do gay students you know go off campus to find that special someone?</p>
<p>Yeah, the campus is pretty small, which means there won’t be as many choices as one would have at, let’s say, a huge state school. But the point I was trying to make in the previous post is that we do have gay and lesbian students and it is theoretically possible to find that special someone among Techers. However, if one is unsuccessful, he/she certainly has an option of exploring LA (or even just Pasadena) area - there are plenty of options, I’m sure. And this applies to everyone, independent of one’s sexual orientation.</p>
<p>Well, Caltech does have a LGBTQ community and there also is some kind of support group with Student Services.</p>
<p>I see. Thanks Hriundeli. How far is Caltech from UCLA? Is it possible to access that campus as well?</p>
<p>UCLA is 1-1.5hr drive, if you have a car, or ~3 by public transport.</p>
<p>Caltech has an LGBTQ support group, and it holds regular events. However, I don’t know any LGBTQ people with partners, due to the same reason that few hetorosexual people have partners, in that the small size of the school makes it difficult to find a person who is a good match.</p>
<p>–Thanks.</p>
<p>Any more comments would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I’ve known a few bisexual or lesbian women, and one gay man at Caltech. I’ve also known one trans person (not sure what the correct terminology is, but MTF). I think in all of these cases, it seemed these people were treated fairly and accepted–in fact, one of them was in a fairly important position in student government. Then again, I’ve never spoken with any of them about discrimination that may have occurred, so I’m not entirely sure. I just personally have never heard any of them discriminated against. </p>
<p>I guess the point is I don’t really see discrimination happening, but it also seems that the LGBTQ community is pretty small here. Again, though, I don’t have a lot of knowledge about the situation.</p>
<p>I think no need to worry. It’s no longer Oscar Wilde’s nor E.M.Forster’s age.</p>
<p>That’d be nice, if there was no need to worry about if a particular area was gay friendly…</p>
<p>Apparently, it is GAYPRIL at Caltech. I forgot we had this, but I remember it happening in years past. We got a directory email (i.e. sent to all students) saying: </p>
<p>Friday, April 23: “THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW”
LGBTQ & ALLY Movie Night Outdoor Screening!
11:00 PM, Outside Chandler Dining Hall
Snacks provided!</p>
<p>COSTUMES VERY MUCH WELCOME !!!
And bring extra midnight snacks and blankets!</p>
<p>Fasten your garter belt and come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab!
It’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a screamingly funny, sinfully twisted salute to sci-fi, horror, B-movies and rock music all rolled into one! Open to all students, staff, faculty, and allies.</p>
<p>Co-sponsored by the Caltech Y Social Activism Speaker Series.</p>
<hr>
<p>Other Upcoming GAYPRIL 2010 Events:
Full details: <a href=“http://sass.caltech.edu/events/Gaypril2010.pdf[/url]”>http://sass.caltech.edu/events/Gaypril2010.pdf</a></p>
<ul>
<li>Saturday, April 24 GAYPRIL RAINBOW DANCE PARTY</li>
<li>Tuesday, April 27 “EMERGING SOCIAL TRENDS OF TRANSGENDER AND GENDER-VARIANT POPULATIONS”</li>
<li>Thursday, April 29 KEYNOTE ADDRESS: “HOMOSEXUALITY, MORALITY, AND DIVERSITY”</li>
</ul>
<p>Questions? Contact Portia Harris, Assistant Director of the Caltech Center for Diversity, at <a href=“mailto:pbharris@caltech.edu”>pbharris@caltech.edu</a>.</p>