<p>of course berkeley is a liberal, accepting environment that most definitely accepts the lgbt community. i've also heard that the lgbt scene--while existent--is not overwhelming. this sounds like the kind of lgbt scene i'd be looking for, so is this true?</p>
<p>you won’t see it if you don’t look for it</p>
<p>oo! i’d be curious about this too-
i’m in “the community” as well 
and that is an important part of my decision too.
I mean, come on, it’s in the bay area, AND it’s berkeley-there’s gotta be a strong community! Maybe not in your face but hey-I guess if we both get accepted and go, we’re bound to find out!</p>
<p>@OP: you are spot on about it. It’s existent, but not overwhelming. The scene here is more like occasionally seeing gay/lesbian couples walking around holding hands as opposed to seeing people decked out in rainbow gear 24/7.</p>
<p>jesus christ</p>
<p>The LGBTQIQ presence is strong at Cal, but it is not up-in-your face. There is a Gender Equality Center on the 3rd floor of Eshelman, there are tons of clubs and organizations, and people for the most part are really accepting here!</p>
<p>If you want, I have two roommates who are in those communities/clubs on campus. I can ask them for a second opinion.</p>
<p>The LGBT community is not “in your face” - whatever that means - but I think it’s a lot larger than most people realize. I used to live in an LGBT co-op, and I was always pleasantly surprised to see who would show up to our parties to dance with people of the same sex. (Lots of classmates.)</p>
<p>The queer population at Cal is difficult to estimate because the vast majority are not visibly or flamboyantly queer. Naturally, some are still closeted or coming out. But, all in all, the LGBT community exists and it is large, in numbers and as a percentage of the student body.</p>
<p>^since you seem to have experienced the lgbt community quite a bit, could you tell me how large the bi population at cal is? and would the gay people mostly be accepting of me (a bi guy)?</p>
<p>Most people here are very aware of the discrimination that bisexuals get from both the heterosexual and homosexual community. I know that in the 3rd floor Eschleman room, there’s a poster about terms that are derogatory towards bisexuals. You’ll see more of an emphasis on “queer identity” than on categorized sexuality, though. Still, even if you don’t believe in the ideas of a queer identity, people will still accept you for whoever you are. </p>
<p>As for the size of the bi population at Cal - I really don’t know, and it’s hard to determine. Even trying to gauge the queer community at Cal is a difficult task, since most people don’t lead their lives according to their sexualities. There’s the people who are active in the queer clubs and organizations, but outside of those, there are many, many more people. The people here take it as one characteristic of themselves, so it’s pretty hard to know who is queer. One thing that I have noticed is that the bisexuals here are less likely to be active in the queer community - it’ll be rather difficult to actually actively seek out people who are bi, though there definitely is a large population.</p>
<p>ok thanks for the info! also sorry but what do you mean about emphasis on queer identity rather than individual sexuality? like “we’re all queer whether we’re gay, pan, demi, etc” rather than “i’m gay and you’re bi” type of thing?</p>
<p>good to know that most people consider their sexuality one aspect of themsevles and not their entire identity too! :)</p>
<p>but that’s too bad that bi’s aren’t as active. maybe someone (maybe me :P) should start a group specifically for bi’s and their allies to combat all the discrimination against us…</p>
<p>Bisexuality is a rather wide spectrum, so a lot of bi people will simply identify as straight or gay in sensu lato, simply due to being a differentially attracted to both sex sexes such that they are attracted to both but primarily to one.</p>
<p>yeah that’s an unfortunate thing for a lot of people, i think. i prefer girls but still like guys; i would never say i’m straight just cuz i PREFER girls though. i like to date whoever i happen to like at the time and not close myself off to dating guys just cuz i like girls better. who knows? maybe i will end up with a guy if i meet the right one. </p>
<p>more awareness that being bi does NOT mean “liking both genders equally” but instead “liking both genders” would probably make a whole ton more people identify as bi. society tells everyone that you have to be straight or gay so when someone favors one sex over the other, they often automatically identify with straight or gay instead of identifying as bi, which–in a lot of people’s case–would likely be the more complete, accurate, and fulfilling orientation if they were actually aware of the validity of bisexuality and all it encompasses. </p>
<p>coupled with all the discrimination and myths and stereotypes associated with bisexuality, i can see why many people would feel more comfortable sticking to one “side” since bi’s are definitely the most misunderstood of all the orientations and probably the most discriminated against, since it’s discrimination by both straight and gay population. but hopefully people will stop succumbing to just saying they’re straight or gay just to play into what society tells them. i mean if they truly are straight or gay, of course they should identify that way. but like you said, there are TONS of bi’s that adopt the straight or gay label and i think it’s often cuz of an extreme lack of awareness AND activism for bi’s. </p>
<p>but yeah that’s really off-topic, just had to offer my two cents. :P</p>
<p>no one will ever have the same experience as you (Kelly’s constructive alternativism).</p>
<p>Why don’t you get into Cal first and check it out for yourself.
That’ll save you from making all these threads!</p>
<p>yeahhh i know i should wait until i get in but i just like to know about all the schools i’m applying to beforehand just so i don’t have to be like…researching all of them frantically in one month as i try to decide where to matriculate if i get into several that i like, you know?</p>
<p>Hey
I just wanna say–I used to go to Tulane which is in NEw Orleans. And even though it’s in a liberal city, the deep south is veryyyyyyyyyyyy conservative and traditional (usually anti-gay), but there were a ton of gay-friendly and gay people there.
So.
bearing that in mind, I have faith berkeley has a great display haha… I hope I get in too! :)</p>