19 Jun LGBTQ+ Resources and College Campuses

In recognition of PRIDE month, here are a few resources that can help students find colleges that are LGBTQIA+ friendly.

Curated Lists of Colleges

• Campus Pride Index, owned and operated by Campus Pride, a national nonprofit working to create more LGBTQ+ friendly college campuses, the Index allows students and families to search a data-based of LGBTQ+ friendly campuses, see their ranking, and learn more about resources on the campus.
• Princeton Review produces a list of LGBTQ+ friendly colleges.
• College Express has a list of “gay-friendly” colleges.
• College Choice has a list of the 50 “Best LGBTQ Schools” as well as information about colleges that offer Queer and LGBT Studies.

Questions to Ask When Evaluating if Colleges are LGBTQ+ Friendly

• Does the college actively recruit LGBTQ+ faculty and staff?
• Does the college have an inclusive curriculum? Are there majors/minors, certificate programs or classes that include LGBTQ+ history and culture?
• Does the health center have resources for LGBTQ+ students, including mental health counselors with expertise in counseling students in the LGBTQ+ community?
• Does the college have clear, unambiguous policies designed to protect the rights and promote the safety of the LGBTQ+ student body? Are there, for example, policies prohibiting bias and procedures for students to report incidents of harassment?
• Does the college provide housing and bathrooms that ensure that LGBTQ+ students are comfortable and safe?
• Are there LGBTQ+ student organizations on campus?
• Is there a dedicated LGBTQ+ student center, and, if not, are there services and resources that support students in the LGBTQ+ community?
• Are there signs of pride, such as safe-zone stickers, pink triangles or rainbow flags, visible on campus?
• Are there LGBTQ+ students who are “out” on the college campus?
• Are there LGBTQ+ faculty and staff who are “out” in the college campus?
• Are there allies on the campus who are openly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights and concerns?
• Are there safe zone programs designed to help increase LGBTQ+ awareness on the campus?
• Is the college in an LGBTQ+ friendly community/neighborhood/city/state?

Resources for Students to Know About

• The National LGBTQ Task Force addresses discrimination against queer college students.
• Campus Pride runs leadership programs and advocacy training, publishes news, and links students to events and organizations near them.
• The Trevor Project is a crisis intervention organization that specializes in providing support to LGBTQ+ students.
• Out For Work helps LGBTQ+ students find internships and jobs.
• Consortium for Higher Education supports educators working with LGBTQ+ students.
• SafeZone offers free online resources and training to help make college campuses safe for the LGBTQ+ community.

Scholarships for LGBTQ+ College Students

• Point Foundation awards scholarships to out LGBTQ+ students enrolled in college.
• Pride Foundation awards several scholarships to LGBTQ+ students who reside in the Pacific Northwest.
• The Stonewall Community Foundation has several scholarships for LGBT students, although some of them are New York-regionally based.
• PFLAG. Many PFLAG chapters have scholarships for college students.