<p>I have a daughter who has fallen in love with Mount Holyoke College. We have visited a few times and we like it there a lot. During our last visit, we noticed a considerable gay population. She doesn't have a problem with a gay population but is concerned that as a straight woman she will be in the minority. Does anyone know what share of the population is gay? Has anyone lost out on an opportunity there because they aren't gay?<br>
She's not worried about meeting men. She assumes she will meet them on other campuses. Her concern is that she could be an outcast. Any thoughts are appreciated.</p>
<p>She won’t be an outcast! Gay women are not the majority at MHC, straight women are. My daughter has lots of straight friends. That said, my sense is that there is also a lot of experimentation among women who may have thought they were entirely straight. But by no means is there pressure to do so. The atmosphere is very open and inclusive of ALL sexual identities, which includes straight/cis. She won’t feel like an outcast :)</p>
<p>My daughter is a very happy first year at Mount Holyoke. Because she was seeking a more serious and supportive campus environment she only applied to all women’s colleges. I think you tend to notice lesbian women on all women’s campuses because it is a safe space for them to be more “out in the open”. Mount Holyoke is a very accepting community and my straight leaning daughter loves that students can be who they are without judgement.</p>
<p>Thank you. Our daughters sound very similar. I really appreciate the feedback. This is my oldest and the first experience sending one off to college.</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you for your feedback. They have put my mind at ease. I don’t doubt this is the place for my daughter. </p>
As far as what portion is gay, estimates are 1/5 queer with probably half of that being actual lesbians…
“Has anyone lost out on an opportunity there because they aren’t gay?”
My daughter is straight. She’s involved with many campus activities and wishes she had the time to sample other organizations (like model UN). She tells me that she has never been made to feel marginalized because of her conventionally straight orientation. (I asked her.)
Mount Holyoke does have several LGBTQ organizations which cater to LGBTQ student population. I have not heard of any organization catering to straight women. I have the feeling that the straight women don’t feel the need to organize on the basis of orientation; rather they are drawn to the broad array of club / athletics / performance / cultural /political /social offerings on campus.
Women’s colleges are a unique animal. Mount Holyoke students enjoy a world class education in a socially supportive, academically rigorous environment–an incredible opportunity in itself.
Wishing your daughter and the remaining applicants the very best of luck.
P.S. I don’t think MHC tracks what percent of the student body falls under LGBTQ. If stats are tracked, they certainly aren’t published.