It’s Pride Month! 10 Best LGBTQ Friendly Colleges

While June is celebrated as the first official month of summer, it has also become widely celebrated as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month. June 2021 marks the Anniversary of the first Gay Pride March, which took place in New York City on June 28, 1970. Pride was first celebrated on the one year anniversary of the Stonewell Uprising, a major historical moment that became the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. The Stonewell riots took place in New York City after police raided the Stonewell Inn, a gay and lesbian bar in Greenwich Village. The riots turned violent and went on for some time as individuals of the queer community organized into activist groups in order to advocate for more places to gather without fear of their orientation. Today, the Stonewell Uprising and the progress made since that evening 52 years ago, are celebrated all month long through parades, film festivals and rallies around the world. But the celebration doesn’t stop there. Many college students around the country exhibit their Pride all year long with the help of colleges and universities. According to College Choice, here are six key indicators that a college is an LGBTQ-friendly institution: • Clear non-discrimination policies in place • Vibrant LGBTQ student life and community • Educational opportunities on LGBTQ subject matter, including courses and majors • Gender-inclusive housing and restrooms • LGBTQ-specific health care options • Active campus safety training and procedures to assist the LGBTQ community Though most colleges across the country work hard to implement these six principles, we want to highlight 10 college campuses that do this particularly well. With the help of College Choice and Great Value Colleges, we’re counting down the top 10 LGBTQ colleges and universities in the United States.

10 Best LGBTQ Friendly Colleges

10. Emory University – Atlanta, Georgia

Website: LGBT Life Facebook: @EmoryLGBTLife Instagram: @emorylgbtlife The Office of LGBT Life hosts weekly discussions in order to foster dialogue between members of the LGBTQ community and other students on campus. It also provides programming and community building through weekly crafts and wellness initiatives. According to College Choice, The Office of LGBT Life and Emory Law teamed up to give pro bono legal help to students with LGBTQ needs, like official name changes, transition-related health care, and more.

9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, Massachusetts

Website: LGBTQ@MIT Facebook: lgbtq@mit Instagram: @rainbow_lounge_mit Members of the LGBTQ community and their allies can hangout out at the MIT Rainbow Lounge. Students can play games, chat, or simply watch TV together. The community also hosts fun events, like Escape Rooms, Movie Nights, and special graduation ceremonies.

8. University of Oregon – Eugene, Oregon

Website: LGTBQIA+ Support Services Facebook: UO LGBTQA Instagram: @uo_lgbtess Named the most LGBTQ-friendly college in Oregon by Campus Pride, the University of Oregon LGBT Education and Support Services team works to affirm the lives of all LGBTQIA+ students and their allies. The university also brings together academics and housing through the LGBTQIA+ Scholars Program, which lives, eats, studies, and grows together.

7. Washington University in St. Louis – St. Louis, Missouri

Website: LGBTQIA+ Resources Facebook: Wash U Pride Alliance Instagram: @washupridealliance Twitter: WUStl_Pride Wash U believes that the LGBTQ experience is different for everyone, and they desire to provide resources and a sense of belonging for every single one of their students. Their services include peer mentorship, a free LGBTQIA retreat, student groups and regular events and programming.

6. Stanford University – Stanford, California

Website: qspot.online Facebook: @StanfordQSR Instagram: @queerstudentresources The QSpot offers a place for students that are celebrating, questioning, investigating and/or struggling with sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The community center, which is run by staff members that are also students, offers fun events, workshops, and a safe space to gather.

5. University of California – Los Angeles, California

Website: UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center Facebook: @UCLALGBTQ Instagram: @uclalgbtq Twitter: @UCLALGBTQ In addition to providing fun and informational events, the LGBTQ Campus Resource Center at UCLA has support services for students, like counseling, career development, financial wellness, and more. The campus itself has designated over 40 restrooms as gender inclusive.

4. Ohio State University – Columbus, Ohio

Website: LGBTQ at Ohio State Facebook: OU LGBT Center Instagram: @ohiolgbtcenter The LGBTQ community is fully integrated into all aspects of the campus community at OSU. There are a plethora of organizations for students to find a sense or belonging, whether it’s by their major, housing or special interests. Students can receive LGBTQ-specific health care, crisis support, financial aid, and legal help through the university.

3. Pomona College - Claremont, California

Website: QRC of the Claremont Colleges Facebook: @RainbowSkiLodge Instagram: @theqrc The Queer Resource Center, known as the Rainbow Ski Lodge, actually serves seven colleges in the Claremont College family. In addition to providing a safe space for members of the LGBTQ community to gather, the center also hosts allyship training and a mentorship program.

2. University of Maryland – College Park, Maryland

Website: LGBTQ Equity Center Facebook: @equitycenter Instagram: @lgbtqequity The LGBT Equity Center’s main focus for students of diverse sexes, gender identities or expressions, and sexual orientation, is all in the name: Equity. They work hard to ensure equality, strength, vibrancy and visibility through education, awareness and fun events on campus. This is especially evident through their first-year LGBTQ three-tiered welcome programming to help students transition to college smoothly.

1. University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Website: LGBT Center Facebook: @PennLGBTC Twitter: @PennLGBTC Instagram: @pennlgbt The University of Pennsylvania’s LGBTQ Center is one of the oldest in the nation. Since it’s founding, it has worked to provide a safe place for LGBTQ students as well as fosters awareness, understanding and acceptance of its members to all students at Penn. Finally, the school’s medical hub, Penn Medicine, was recently named a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign. Looking for LGBTQ+ scholarships? We've got them here on Fastweb.