Currently I am a high school senior, but with the college acceptance letters rolling in I realized that every school on my list is in the deep south...and I am trying to make my way out of the closet. Not being able to be open about my sexuality in high school is killing me, so I can't go through that personal shaming and hiding after graduation. I won't allow it. Right now I am just mainly worried about how to find a roommate that would be accepting/LGBT friendly. The normal means of finding a roommate after getting accepting is usually through the school's Facebook page, but posting "How do you feel about living with a lesbian?" for all my future classmates to see is a little scary.
That's tricky. Is there a stonewall house or something like that at your school? Some schools have dorms dedicated to LGBT students. I'd check.
I know that in my undergrad school, the honors college dorms were called the "gay dorms" because there were apparently a higher percentage of gay (or at least out) students in there. Also, honors students are more likely to be tolerant. You should check if the school has a LGBT center already and ask them for advice.
The great thing about college is everyone is so open-minded about everything. Sure, you may come across people that refuse to make friends with people that they view different. But those people don't matter as much. People in college acknowledge the fact that everyone comes from a different background and is aware of the fact that not everyone is the same as them. College is a chance for everybody to be theirselves (moreso than they already are) and show people that "Yeah, this is who I am. I'm comfortable in my own shoes. You do you and I'll do me." I agree with Resu, it seems like the Honors dorm at campuses either 1) Are the most tolerant or 2) House somewhat of a handful of the Univ.'s LGBT students. I guess number 1 holds true because they know that the world is very diversified and have "learned" to view the word from many perspectives. I would also follow his advice and contacting the school's LGBT office (if one is available.) How deep south are we talking about?
If the school tells you who your roommate will be before hand, if you go with the random sorting, then I would try to contact them and try to find out if they would be ok with living with a lesbian roommate. Just be careful that you don't tell the wrong person, lest they decide that your sexual orientation needs to be public knowledge. I would defiantly look into inclusive housing options, such as lgbtq specific housing or a lgbtq sorority ( or fraternity.)
Alabama.... ---------- Post added 11th Jan 2014 at 03:14 PM ---------- Well luckily I got into my university early action, so I get first dibs on dorms.
Maybe see if there's a PFLAG group in the area or LGBT student organization that has a roomie seeking student?
That sounds like the best option, because on the far chance that my school has LGBT dorms my cousin who attends the same university may point that out to my mom. Going through the organization and then finding a roomie that way, wouldn't necessarily put us in a LGBT dorm, just make sure that we were tolerant of each other.
I am currently living in a campus dorm. For the most part everyone in my building is amazing, and could really care less how someone identifies. The thing about college is that for most, people are paying to be there, they are not forced to be there like high school. People really come into their own in college. Join organizations, see if your campus, has GSA, or PRIDE or any club that you might be interested in, if there is an involvement fair, or similarly named event, go to it. You meet a lot of different people, get free food, and and find out about all of the different organizations on campus. If you play your cards right, you can get a lot of free food. I get a free meal nearly every week, and I am not even joking. I get free food all the time. People can be more mature and respectful at college. However, if you do have problems, especially in your dorm, go to your RA (resident assistant) they are paid to make sure that everyone living in the dorms is in a healthy and happy environment. If you end up in a toxic environment, there are always options to get out it. Most campuses have a support network of sorts for the residents who are living on campus. Another thing that I will tell you, is that there is a chance that there might be some drama in your building, but that is not something to be surprised about. When you put 100, 200 or even 300 or more people who do not know each other in a building together, there are going to be disagreements. If you are not a part of it, do not try to get involved, if it seems like it is getting heated, get an RA, call security, but do not put yourself in danger. Speaking of danger, I know a lot campuses, including my own will have people willing to escort students across campus at night if they are scared. Make friends with your RAs, security and campus police, they can help you when you are in a tight spot. Also if someone is really drunk, to the point of passing out, do not just have them sleep it off, call for help, even if they get in trouble, it better than them being dead. Most importantly, try to do good in classes, one or two Bs or Cs aren't going to kill you. And have fun. If get a chance to get a chance to take a cheap or even free trip trip go for. I got to go to Washington D.C and walk through the Holocaust Museum for $10. It was an amazing trip, and it was only $10. We felt at 5AM and got back at 11PM, and it was worth it. It was so amazing. If you have to opportunity to do something like do it. Go have fun, just remember do your homework first.
Ive heard that there are roommate matching surveys for some colleges. Is there a lgbt option or a section where you could request a roommate who dont mind an lgbt roommate?
