<p>Sorry to hear that rainbow. I can see how it would be frustrating to find out that NYU could overlook the potential treatment of some of their students for a humongous grant from a homophobic nation. I’d suggest that, instead of an application, you send them a letter telling them your feelings about this (politely - you want them to read it). Get your friends to do the same. Let them know that they haven’t avoided scrutiny. </p>
<p>And after that, just remember the important thing is to follow your own principles. We live in a pretty good time for LGBTs - our nation is accepting enough to be open and happy, and the things that are not so great for us we have an opportunity to help fix them and see them changed.</p>
<p>I have a gay friend who’s going into the inaugural class…</p>
<p>That’s not the point Yumi696. It was never a question of gays being accepted to the program. Sexton himself said Israelis and gays should apply if they want to (note Israelis aren’t even allowed into the UAE).</p>
<p>The point is your friend will have to hide his sexual orientation for four years while he is at school. And if he doesn’t, and would rather live openly, then he will possibly be arrested and NYU will throw their hands up and say “Nothing we can do.” NYU refuses to acknowledge this possibility, because that’s the easy way to handle it.</p>
<p>He neither hides nor displays his sexual orientation… he’s so into his studies that he doesn’t have much of a life… but I see how that could be a problem.</p>
<p>I personally have been hiding because of my family, so it would be nice to live openly in college. I don’t think he cares about that though… he just liked the fact that it’s free.</p>
<p>The gay issue aside, I have always observed that US universities in the UAE and Qatar must seriously drop their standards when opening campuses. The culture in this part of the world does not really allow for a Liberal Arts education.</p>
<p>rainbowboywonder- I am actually a gay parent and I have to tell you that after all these years I have a different idea about how things work. Placing a liberal university in a conservative country just might be the spark needed to ignite change. And its hard to know what really goes on behind the scenes. I do know that Abu Dhabi has been met with quite a bit of flack from students and faculty alike. NYU, in general, has a reputation of expanding without consideration. I was recently in London and the residents there are furious with NYU for buying up prime real estate for freshman housing. For me the larger issue with NYU is not the political one but the financial one - they seem to be using money for excessive expansion rather than financial aid. I have yet to find a place, other than a gay fundraising event, where everyone shares the same values.</p>
<p>on another thread I have been told that there are LGBTQ faculty who will be at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus. I assume that they are out. Is it possible to speak with them? I don’t see any mention of such people anywhere in NYU’s literature.</p>
<p>now that there are students at NYU Abu Dhabi is there an expressed, clear policy regarding gay students? Have any been welcomed? Have any been sent home?</p>