LGBT-Friendly Vibes at Stanford University

Stanford University—which calls sunny California home—is one of the world’s most prestigious institutions. It’s not surprising that the admissions process is a selective one; approximately 7,000 undergraduates stroll its suburban campus (a modest figure compared to many of the public schools we cover). Those students come from all over the globe, and their academic backgrounds are as varied as their personal stories. A diverse student body is important to the college experience in general; fresh perspectives often lead to intellectual breakthroughs. Stanford’s astute Cardinals are open-minded and eager to learn from one another. No group, individual or idea is discriminated against here, and that includes the thriving LGBT community. In fact, noteworthy publications like The Princeton Review have declared Stanford University one of the most LGBT-friendly places of higher education in the US. Consider their longstanding motto for proof: the wind of freedom blows. Read on to understand why.

The award-winning LGBT center at Stanford University is an inviting space that helps students celebrate, investigate and even deal with challenging questions about their sexual orientation. You can come here to study, read or watch films, but the center really flourishes when it comes to socialization. It’s a great place to meet other queer and allied students in a controlled environment. Here’s an insightful video that offers a glimpse of the center along with student testimonials. Note that counseling services are available to anyone struggling with their sexual orientation, whether it be academically, psychologically, spiritually, and so forth. Do you need to plan an event or devise an action plan? Gather a group and start brainstorming on one of the dry erase boards. Fliers and other materials can also be printed free of charge.

You might also consider working with QuEST—otherwise known as the Queer Events and Services Team. These consultants have an in-depth knowledge of campus resources, helping bring identity-driven activities to life. They work closely with administrators, and are available for mentorship in the center or at an off-site coffee house. Don’t hesitate to seek out their advice or assistance with a future happening.

One of the most engaging opportunities for mentorship is through the Flourish program. Their initiative focuses on health, wellness and resilience. With your mentor you’ll learn how to develop a strong support system at college through academic and social networks. They, too, have a very rich knowledge of what resources are available on campus. As you can see already, Stanford University has built a very thorough support system that can be as discreet or communal as you want. Many other schools we’ve encountered simply don’t have this much infrastructure in place—exciting for Cardinals no doubt!

While reading through a popular collegiate forum, we encountered one student’s apprehensive question: is Stanford really as gay-friendly as all of the awards and publications make it out to be? The overwhelming opinion is that yes, it really is. Now it’s true that times were turbulent for LGBT individuals in the ‘90s—not excluding Stanford. However, today open couples can be seen strolling about without a care to be had. Instances of hate crimes have also become very rare. The queer student population is so large that most people have a friend or at least know someone from the community. There’s a transparency and a level of acceptance here that truly is remarkable. If you’re looking for a school that will embrace you for who you are—all while making you one of the world’s most eligible graduates—then don’t hesitate to attend Stanford University.

Now that you know how welcoming the community at Stanford is, why not brush up on the best and worst professors?

Ryan James is a ’13 alumnus of Ohio University’s College of Arts & Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in writing and media. He currently works as a copywriter for a Fortune 500 e-commerce corporation based in Columbus, OH.