LGBT Acceptance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
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<p>I saw a thread earlier about gay life and acceptance at Emory, and after reading through that and doing research on my own, I get the idea that the school's policies are very inclusive and non-discriminatory and all of that stuff. I also get the general idea that gay and lesbian students are treated pretty normally and are generally well-accepted by other students and the staff. What I'm concerned about is the "t" part of lgbt. I'm mostly concerned with how other students treat transgender/gender non-conforming (genderqueer, agender, just non-binary in general) students. </p>

<p>For example, if a male student was to wear feminine clothing or a female student was to get a short haircut and dress in male clothing, what would the reaction be? In general, would a similar student still be able to make friends and not feel like everyone was staring at them or feeling uncomfortable? If you attend Emory, have you met or seen any transgender students (or just students who present as the opposite sex)? Finally, how do you imagine/how have you seen professors and other staff react?</p>

<p>I know I won't find total acceptance anywhere, but I would just like a general idea since I'll be attending in the fall.</p>

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<p>I don’t think we care that much as a campus (extremely diverse and a fairly visible and large LGBT population). It is questionable how some of the Greek organizations receive it, however. And of course you’ll be able to make friends. While I don’t really know any one who is transgender, I have a couple of gay friends and I’m sure that lots of people here have many more. The student body is generally quite liberal and I’m pretty sure that amongst most students (I would say a majority) open to having gay friends, you’ll be treated just like the other three components of the LGBT acronym. I can’t be sure though because, again, I don’t know any transgendered students. My opinion is just based on a hunch.</p>

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<p>Bump for hopefully another reply!</p>

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<p>Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Life’s website at [Emory</a> : Campus Life : Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Life](<a href=“Emory Campus Life | Emory University | Atlanta GA”>Emory Campus Life | Emory University | Atlanta GA) and the Transgendered Resources page here: [Emory</a> : Campus Life : Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Life](<a href=“Emory Campus Life | Emory University | Atlanta GA”>Emory Campus Life | Emory University | Atlanta GA)</p>

<p>Now that I’ve mentioned that, I can get on with answering the questions…</p>

<p>Emory is EXTREMELY accepting of LGBT students. We are located in Atlanta (ignore the Georgia part), which ranked #1 Gayest City by the Advocate magazine a couple of years ago. (I think we’re a bit lower now…but it’s not like the city of less gay over the course of a year. It’s probably 'cause the people living in San Francisco and NY got a little upset. :D) Emory’s acceptance is definitely reflective of our city. </p>

<p>From a student perspective, Emory also got a 5 star ranking from CampusClimateIndex in terms of LGBT acceptance. In 2010, Emory University modified its student health insurance plan to include coverage for hormonal therapy. From a Faculty/Staff point of view, Emory was one of the first institutions in the south to begin offering benefits to Domestic Partners…way back in 1996!</p>

<p>Of course, no college is perfect. There was an incident last year where a “Gay Student was Dragged From Frat Party.” [Gay</a> Student Dragged From Frat Party | The Emory Wheel](<a href=“http://emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=28899]Gay”>http://emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=28899). Following the incident there was a huge NoH8 campaign sponsored through the cooperation of the Office of LGBT life and Greek life. [Greek</a> Life Responds to ?Gay Student Dragged From Frat Party?: Future Steps | The Emory Wheel](<a href=“http://www.emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=28912]Greek”>http://www.emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=28912) Clearly there are some students that don’t accept alternative lifestyles, but they are in the minority, and Emory does have a strict nondiscrimination policy that includes a very harsh penalty for “Acts of Intolerance.”</p>

<p>As for your other question, I do know at least 2 transgendered students at Emory. They are both involved with the group “Trans-Forming Emory,” one of a couple queer focus groups that meet once a week. [url=&lt;a href=“http://twitter.com/TransEmory]Twitter[/url”&gt;http://twitter.com/TransEmory]Twitter[/url</a>].</p>

<p>Unfortunately I have never witnessed faculty member’s reactions to having Trans. students, as I have never been in a class with one. From a staff point of view, however, ResLife just started a Gender Neutral Housing program, and my FtM friend is a part of that program.</p>

<p>In regards to your example: “For example, if a male student was to wear feminine clothing or a female student was to get a short haircut and dress in male clothing, what would the reaction be?” I’m not sure how the reaction would be. While there are tons of resources for transgendered students, I have not yet seen a cysgendered student cross dress. I cannot predict how students would react, but I know that any harassment would definitely be reported as an “act of intolerance.”</p>

<p>Finally there’s Emory Pride, Emory’s all-inclusive LGBTQQAA club that holds weekly meetings and special events. The topic this week just so happens to be about Gender expression and expectation. What a coincidence, huh?</p>

<p>If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I don’t really check Collegeconfidential that much, since I’m past the application stage, but I do try to check it occasionally to see if there are any non-“chance me” threads. XD</p>

<p>Welcome to Emory!</p>