When searching for the right college you are faced with literally hundreds of decisions. It is a multi-step process involving countless forms and countless dollars! And on top of all that it can be even more complicated for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students.
Fortunately, there are new and helpful resources available to LGBT high school students (and their allies) who are stepping into the college search scramble. It is important to learn about housing options, student groups, course offerings, and campus resources because they can all have a huge impact in shaping your college experience.
I would recommend checking out The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students by Shane L. Windmeyer. Here you can explore rankings of the top 100 LGBT friendly higher education institutions in the United States. The book was written with the help of over 5,000 student interviews and 500 interviews with faculty and staff.
The Library also carries The Gay and Lesbian Guide to College Life.
You might also want to check out the recently released second edition of Kelly Huegel’s GLBTQ: The Survival Guide for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens.
Don’t forget to check out online resources like Campus Pride. The Campus Pride index is the best online search for LGBT friendly colleges and scholarships.
On a personal note, I would highly recommend considering a college or university with a student resource center for LGBT students and their allies. I found a home away from home when I discovered Penn State’s LGBTA Student Resource Center. It was an escape from the drama and chaos of college life. It was a space where I made friends and complained and laughed and grew and learned so very much. I was even an intern there for two years!
And please don’t forget that YOU are the change! Whether you are at a community college like CCAC, an enormous university like Penn State, or at a tiny liberal arts school like Allegheny College – YOU ultimately shape your own experiences.
Trust me. It Gets Better. Nuff Said. And it also gets better over here too.
-Michael B.
CLP Hazelwood
P.S. Did you know today is the Day of Silence?
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Filed under: Books and Reading, CLP Hazelwood, Free Stuff Friday, Quick Flix, Teen Interest | Tagged: college, day of silence, it gets better, lgbtq, queer, teen | 1 Comment »
