Hey there,
I saw this post at Kenyon’s forum and I kinda have the similar question about Macalester.
I know very well how liberal Macalester is, and also how it has been ranked (one of) the most tolerant college(s) regarding the LGBT community. However,the question for me remains: what is the gay population (for men) there like? In other words, does one exist? Also, when some say tolerant, there is a really fine line between being okay with the idea of gay people and being okay with seeing two gay men together. So are there gay couples openly dating at Mac?
I know this question might make some people uncomfortable, and I’m sorry but since I’m very close to committing to Macalester, I just want to hear more from someone from the inside, not through some rankings online. Thank you!
Best,
Admitted student 
Visited over the weekend. My impressions won’t be the deepest, but here they are:
Yes, LGBT organizations and groups are well received and welcome. Happened upon two, one offering information that had lots of students gathered around and was equally welcoming to me, a middle aged mom type, and another in a special room/office for LGBT students where students were speaking to each other. There were many kids wearing pro LGBT s shirts for some event and I am betting not all of them were LGBT.
Public displays of affection? Didn’t notice any men, but did notice female couples. I wasn’t looking for LGBT couples, however. I am from a more conservative part of the country so maybe I would be more likely to notice? Can’t say.
The campus felt urban, young, energetic, diverse. Some clean cut kids but also some funky looking kids. I was struck by the variety of skin tones and hair styles. It felt yeasty and vibrant and very very happy. The city is right there, all around the compact campus. I think that contributes to making the environment more diverse. It doesn’t feel gritty urban, but it feels like it is in a city.
I can’t directly answer your question, but FWIW:
What struck my daughter and me was what I’d have to call the LGBT infrastructure at Mac-- instead of feeling “tolerated” or viewed as a social club, those perspectives/experiences felt very well integrated and respected. We saw flyers not only for dances but for something related to career counseling or development. When we spoke to the staff member of above mentioned LGBT office (sorry, name escapes me), their display had a list of “Out and Proud” faculty and staff. When LGBT stuff was mentioned in other contexts-- discussion of a theater on the civic engagement bus tour, in some other meeting about study away, it was all very normalized in a way that felt important to my daughter. She used the word conscientious to describe the inclusiveness.
As for student experience, all I can personally say that a current, enthusiastic upperclassman who was from Grinnell, Iowa (yep) specifically said that the LGBT community was among the reasons he chose Mac. Not that I know what his dating life has been like, but it just does not strike me as a place that gives lip service or is only OK with difference on paper. They expect students to come there and be who they are.
I can safely say that Mac is very accepting after my visit this past weekend and from other LGBT students. The acceptance and overall liberal feel is I think Mac’s greatest quality. I went to a “Queer Dance Party” my second day of the visit and met a ton of LGBT students who spoke highly of the school. I even met a trans guy during a class and he mentioned how the students recognize how he’s different, but don’t treat him as such ( I don’t know if that makes nay sense). And 100% yes to the whole be yourself (you’re kind of forced to and it’s incredibly refreshing).
Anywho, I totally understand the need to go to a school that has an active LGBT community and I agree that the community is not seen a campus organization but as an integral part of Mac’s envoirnment. Though I didn’t see any gay male couples around campus, I did see a girl couple and a ton of same sex couples during the tour of Mall of America so we are definitely a presence in the Twin Cities. As a bisexual woman of color, I felt Mac was the place for me after my visit. I’m from California and I can safely say that Mac is one of the top two most liberal colleges I’ve visited (it’s tied for first with Berkeley and just above UCLA).