Pride Month

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month in honor of the Stonewall Riots that took place during this month in 1969. Recent studies have shown that LGBTQ+ youth experience significantly higher rates of mental health issues, often stemming from a lack of support in their own homes or communities. For LGBTQ+ students trying to navigate the college search process, identifying institutions where they may feel safe, supported and welcome can feel like a daunting challenge. It may be difficult to gauge the degree of acceptance an LGBTQ+ student may experience at some universities, but there are several resources available that may make the process of identifying schools that are intentional in their support of this student population a bit easier. The list below, while not exhaustive, is a great starting point for any LGBTQ+ student (or ally) starting their search.

Also, as you start crafting a list based on LGBTQ+ friendliness among other things, here are some additional questions to consider as you explore a school’s commitment to their LGBTQ+ community:

Do you see proper representation in the marketing and promotion materials of the University?

Do you see people who identify as LGBTQ+ on their website?

Is it easy to find information about LGBTQ support?

Does the campus seem proud of, inclusive, and welcoming toward LGBTQ+ students?

Is there a “house” or program 100% dedicated to supporting this student body? Is it visible and easy to find, or is it shoved into a basement of a building with no visibility?

Is there gender inclusive housing? Are there gender inclusive bathrooms?

Are there members of the faculty and staff that are openly gay?

Do you find the leadership of the college to be gay or vocal allies for the LGBTQ community?

We know that finding the key to finding the right college is to find one that allows a student to be their most authentic selves. We aim to help students find a place where they feel supported, heard, seen, and accepted. We hope that these resources and questions to consider will help guide you and your student to the place they are meant to be.

Happy Pride Month!

Websites/Scholarships:

Campus Pride Index

From their site: Since 2007, the Campus Pride Index has been the premier LGBTQ national benchmarking tool for colleges and universities to create safer, more inclusive campus communities. The free online tool allows prospective students, families/parents and those interested in higher education to search a database of LGBTQ-firendly campuses who have come out to improve the academic experience and quality of campus life.

Point Foundation

From their site: Point Foundation empowers promising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – despite the obstacles often put before them – to make a significant impact on society. Point seeks to build community and springboard a new generation of LGBTQ leaders toward success. Point does this through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development, and community service training, and is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students of merit.

PFLAG Scholarships

From their site: PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. National's largest program is supporting its network of more than 400 chapters, which crosses the entire U.S. Many PFLAG chapters have scholarship programs of their own.

Stonewall Community Foundation Scholarships

From their site: We take education seriously, knowing that it has the power to help LGBTQ people overcome complex social and economic barriers. For over 20 years, we have partnered with donors to create scholarships that provide unique opportunities and access to education, both in New York City and throughout the country.

LGBTQ College Culture Guide

https://www.lgbtcampus.org/From their site: This guide discusses some of the most common challenges that LGBTQ college students face, both in school and elsewhere. These challenges include coming out, mental health issues, family issues, and interpersonal violence. This guide also highlights LGBTQ learners’ rights, introduces resources for LGBTQ college students, and summarizes the key features of LGBTQ-friendly college cultures.

Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals

If you want to take an ever deeper dive into a college or university’s commitment to LGBTQIA+ support, be sure to check out this website. This map was developed by members of The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals to show Higher Education LGBT Support Services on campus. This means that there is at least one paid professional staff member solely dedicated to providing resources and delivering guidance to students on campus.