An increasing amount of prospective students from the LGBT community are looking into what campus life might be like at religious based universities with teachings that conflict with their sexual orientation. Even with flourishing academic departments, the potential for discrimination can change everything. Our recent look into Fordham University rooted in Roman Catholicism reveals that progress is being made, just not as quickly as some would prefer. Loyola University Chicago, based in Chicago (side note: ranked in the Top 25 most liberal cities), is handed the same assessment. Here are some of the pros and cons of attending this sprawling metropolitan school as an LGBT student.
Sometimes, we seek out information regarding a school’s LGBT initiatives only to find that they don’t really have any at all. This continually surprises us, because higher education is indeed big business at the end of the day. Attracting students or customers relies on many factors like high-ranking staff, quality dining options and yes, even stances that align with the millennial generation’s progressive ideas about things like human rights. What we’re finding is that schools with religious origins just aren’t as willing to revisit their viewpoints or policies, even when faced with national criticism or suffering enrollment rates. However, like Fordham, Loyola does have university recognized programs in place for LGBT students. The existence of these programs doesn’t automatically end the struggles that students face, but it’s a promising sign.
Safe Space Workshops offer an introduction to the LGBT community. These sessions explain certain definitions, terms, and symbols. They interrupt sexist attitudes, and introduce incoming Ramblers to the campus’ various resources. From there, an undergraduate may choose to join a student group for a welcome, safe space to grow and socialize. Advocate, a registered student organization, holds regular meetings and events. Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPoC) assists those who desire a better understanding of their multiple identities. The Department of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs is behind all of these groups. They should be regarded as a general hub for support.
If you’re interested in Loyola University Chicago, check out our article on 4 Things I Wish I Had Known about LUC.
In 2014, the student government had initial discussions about transitioning some bathrooms to gender neutral. This would mean facilities that are open to men, women, and trans students simultaneously. At this point in time, schools like The Ohio University were beginning to allow students to request dorms with only gender-neutral bathrooms. Educating the masses on trans issues became more widespread in culture and the media, thus universities started responding accordingly. Loyola’s ultimate goal here was to make a traditionally marginalized group of students feel more comfortable on campus. Today, there’s a growing list of “unisex” restrooms available.
There are those who might feel that the debate and ultimate win for gender neutral bathrooms is a diminished feat, but it’s really more symbolic of a school that’s not entirely afraid of change. Confusingly, the school contradicted this show of an openness to change in the same year. The university changed its policy on campus held wedding ceremonies for same sex couples just before the passing of Illinois’ equal marriage law. A widely circulated petition in favor of same sex marriages one that gained upwards of 2,900 signatures was disregarded by the institution. Still, Loyola was transparent in its activities by saying that the decision was made to uphold certain Jesuit and Catholic traditions. Circumstances like these are what should make LGBT students weary.
Changing the signage of a bathroom, though a nod of respect towards trans students, doesn’t directly interfere with the university’s ideologies. It’s a gray zone, or something they’re willing to look the other way on. When faced with a direct conflict, practices from the past are favored. The adherence to these former customs is what will ultimately halt progression for LGBT students, and they’ll have to enroll in Loyola knowing that this give some, take some approach will likely always be present. There is a perceived disrespect over being made to settle. If your desire to be a Rambler has faded after reading this article, fear not! Here are the Princeton Review’s Top 20 most LGBT friendly schools in the USA:
- Stanford University (Stanford, Calif.)
- Oberlin College (Oberlin, Ohio)
- Emerson College (Boston, Mass.)
- Smith College (Northampton, Mass.)
- Warren Wilson College (Asheville, N.C.)
- Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, Pa.)
- University of Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.)
- Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering (Needham, Mass.)
- New College of Florida (Sarasota, Fla).
- Pitzer College (Claremont, Calif.)
- Carleton College (Northfield, Minn.)
- Sarah Lawrence College (Bronxville, N.Y.)
- Yale University (New Haven, Conn.)
- New York University (New York, N.Y.)
- Macalester College (St. Paul, Minn.)
- Bard College (Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y.)
- Prescott College (Prescott, Ariz.)
- Grinnell College (Grinnell, Iowa)
- Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.)
- Rice University (Houston, Texas)
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.