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Last updated on Wednesday, July 12, 2017
(BLOOMINGTON) - Indiana University Bloomington is one of the top-50 best colleges for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender questioning or queer (LGBTQ) students.
College Choice ranked IU ranked at number 38, according to press release from the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs.
The college was chosen for its LGBTQ+ Culture Center, OVPDEMA and student-led LGBTQ+ organizations and discussion groups along with IU's queer and gender studies programs and LGBTQ+ fraternities and sororities.
IU also made Campus Pride's Best-of-the-Best list of top-30 LGBTQ-friendly campuses in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
What does "best" mean exactly? Well, there are several key things LGBTQ folks should consider. Foremost, the university's non-discrimination policy should include gender expression and sexual orientation. This information is available on all school websites, and if they don't explicitly promise to protect you, move on. Other things to look for range from comprehensive health care (trans students should have hormone therapy included) to campus safety hate prevention, a faculty board who is queer and trans-inclusive, a curriculum that is representative of LGBTQ voices and histories, and a vibrant Resource Center that facilitates a diversity of events, education, outreach, and programming.
The LGBTQ+ Culture Center at IU Bloomington hires both LGBTQ students as well as fully trained staff who are responsible for providing LGBTQ support across departments. Thus, IU Bloomington has in place a balance of services and resources: safe spaces and safe zones, a LGBTQ alumni group, queer studies programs, gender studies programs, LGBTQ fraternities and sororities, safe housing for all gender expressions, and a campus safety department that is committed to preventing LGBTQ related crimes and incidents.
The top ten colleges are:
1. Princeton University
2. Massachusetts institute of Technology
3. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
4. University of Pennsylvania
5. University of California Las Angeles
6. University of Michigan
7. Cornell University
8. Harvey Mudd College
9. Ohio State University
10. Johns Hopkins University
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