I am the Q in LGBTQ, but Washington and Lee is at the top of my list. I’ve visited theee time and like it more every time. I like the campus, the small classes, poverty program, and historical angle. But I’m concerned about the conservative reputation, and would like to hear from actual students about LGBTQ acceptance. Could a possibly B or L student fit it and have a good experience? Could they be involved in Greek life? I don’t want to know about the reputation but from people who are there. Thanks!
You should move this to the Washington and Lee page. You will get more responses that way 
FWIW- W&L was ranked by niche as the 189th most conservative college.
Thanks, I don’t seem to be able to move it, but will repost it there. Do you know how I can delete this one?
I was just there and when I asked about LGBTQ issues the best they could tell was that is was “better than it was in 2005”… They have no official policy for trans students and no direct means of reporting issues that may arise out of being LGBTQ on campus. Personally, I was just there and while there are many things I love about campus I don’t know that its worth dealing with those kinds of issues. Be aware also that there are some issues with ethnicity and race on campus also.
If you’re LGBTQ, you’re probably better off looking for a college that has a similar academic profile and campus environment as W&L but is more open-minded on the matter, and will be more supportive. Because so much of W&L’s social life depends on Greek Life and those specific chapters will not be welcoming, it would severely limit your social options and comfort.
Would you be looking for a conservative college?
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Regardless of how open and accepting it is, a rural liberal arts college (LAC) may have limited dating opportunities for queer students. When you halve the population of an already small school, reduce that figure to the (at most) 10% who’re LGB, and then account for the students who are already in relationships or aren’t out…the dating pool gets rather small very quickly.*
As you’re probably aware, W&L has the highest percentage of students in frats and sororities of any college in the country (~80%), and Greek life poses an entirely different set of challenges as an LGB student. Some frats/sororities are okay with LGB students…as long as you come out after you rush. Others are very queer-positive or blatantly homophobic. It very much depends on the college and the frat/sorority in question.
You might want to look at a slightly bigger school with a good reputation for LGBT life. William & Mary (if you’re a VA resident) and U Richmond are places to start. Wake Forest has made strong strides to become more LGBT-friendly and is another possibility, though it still lags behind several NC colleges in this regard. Though much larger, many of the aspects of UVA may appeal to you.
All of that said, you’re the best judge of where you’ll feel comfortable. Several of my most well-adjusted gay friends attended relatively conservative southern colleges like Harding and Ole Miss, which would never make the recommended lists here on CC for such students. LGBT life is only one factor in a bigger picture.
*For example, several Williams students/posters have noted that the gay dating scene is not the best, although the school itself is unquestionably queer-friendly. Again, this is not necessarily a “conservative college” vs. “liberal college” problem.
I suggest you contact the W&L LGBTQ Resource Center. I expect they can connect you with actual students.
This podcast has some traits of the school right and many are wrong. It is not especially complimentary. The students in it are arrogant in the opinions they hold of themselves and are condescending. It could be useful for some people looking at it though. I think a couple of the commentators in it might be Q so their perspectives might be useful.
As a parent of a recent LGBTQ graduate of Washington & Lee, I could never never recommend that school for such a student. It is a very Greek, very small, very conservative school. Discrimination is not blatant, but the atmosphere is very very unwelcoming. Also, the school did not nurture or support the one Greek house that welcomed these students.
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I am the Q in LGBTQ, but Washington and Lee is at the top of my list. I’ve visited theee time and like it more every time. I like the campus, the small classes, poverty program, and historical angle. But I’m concerned about the conservative reputation, and would like to hear from actual students about LGBTQ acceptance. Could a possibly B or L student fit it and have a good experience? Could they be involved in Greek life? I don’t want to know about the reputation but from people who are there. Thanks!
I’m a parent of a W&L student that transferred and have had kids at large universities too. I would agree with doverdover. I would never recommend this school to anyone unless you want to be a southern politician. Until you are on the inside, you don’t realize the impact of a very conservative school with heavy greek life. They might market themselves as a top liberal arts university with a stellar education but in my mind, they lack diverse thinking, a broad curriculum and dynamic faculty (you get that at good large universities) and a sensitivity and desire to support to a wide spectrum of diverse students - their student pop is anything but diverse.
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Sadly, the recent act of anti-gay vandalism on campus does not surprise me at all. W&L is a very unwelcoming campus. It is all somewhat subtle though. They pay lip service to being a tolerant and respectful community and are usually polite but definitely are not welcoming to those who are different. Most do not really want a LGBTQ person as a close friend. That is the sad sad reality. My student who recently graduated from there did make some close lifelong friends, but in general this student felt terribly unwelcome. The same goes for alums. They network with and help those who are similar to themselves. They are not really very interested in helping LGBTQ grads. That was my student’s experience. http://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2016/03/03/13629/
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Sometimes change happens slowly, but change does happen. I’ll take the glass half-full view this time with the strong outpouring of support for the individual targeted. His quote:
“I think that is a really great testament to the campus and shows how far the campus climate has come,” “It really shows that people are really taking it to heart and being great allies.”
The campus response was swift. I’m not sure how the accused was caught so quickly but it wouldnt surprise me if he was turned in by his fellow classmates adhering to the honor system. I expect the vandal will be ousted from the university also as a violation of the honor system.
I’m hopeful that the new president (provost from Williams) will continue the progress being made at W&L.