On the Flip Side: Most LGBTQ-Unfriendly Colleges?

In contrast to my other question, I'd like to know which colleges have a less-than-stellar reputation when it comes to supporting their LGBTQ+ students. I think it's crucial to know which schools to potentially avoid. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

While every student's experiences may vary based on their individual perspectives and situations, some college environments have been noted to be less supportive and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students. It may be useful to refer to Campus Pride's "Worst List" which identifies several campuses where policies, practices, and procedures were found to be detrimental to LGBTQ+ students. While this list is not exhaustive and does not take into account changes in practices and policies, it does highlight schools where issues have been previously noted.

Colleges with religious affiliations, particularly conservative Christian institutions, often have less progressive LGBTQ+ policies. For example, some have heard about less-than-inclusive environments at schools like Brigham Young University, Liberty University, and Wheaton College. These schools may uphold traditional religious teachings regarding gender and sexuality that do not align with LGBTQ+ inclusivity.

It's also worth considering that support for LGBTQ+ students can sometimes be inconsistent across different colleges. A school may have inclusive anti-discrimination policies and yet not support resources like LGBTQ+ student groups, or vice versa.

Ultimately, the best way to evaluate these institutions is by doing dedicated, detailed research. This could include reviewing the institution's non-discrimination policy, looking into available student resources (support groups, counseling, etc.), checking for gender-inclusive housing policies, and even contacting the school's office of diversity or student affairs for any relevant information. You might also benefit from reading personal accounts and testimonies from LGBTQ+ students at each of these institutions to gain a clearer picture of the campus climate.

Once again, remember that what may have been the case a few years ago may not necessarily hold true now. Campuses evolve, and what might have once been flagged as an unfriendly campus could have changed. Schools also vary greatly in how they interpret and apply their stated policies, so do keep this in mind. It's key that you take an active role in evaluating whether a school is the right fit for you, not just in terms of LGBTQ+ inclusivity, but also in all aspects of the college experience.