Tucked away in South West England is the University of Exeter, an institution praised for its research intensive programs—which have helped it maintain a Top Ten position year after year on the National Student Survey. Unfortunately, one of the areas it appears to be lacking in is a strong LGBT base among its student body. With over 220 affiliated student societies, this group is oft forgotten and underrepresented. As with anything, some shortcomings can be made up for with positive notes. If you identify as an LGBT person or a straight ally, read on to discover why Exeter might not be college for you.
Albeit a fledging society among the Students’ Guild, the university does indeed have an active LGBT organization that strives to be a secure space free of harassment or intimidation. The committee’s primary function is to arrange campus events, such as the festivities during Pride Week and everyday social jaunts to places like the movie theatre. They also do a healthy amount of campaigning on the grounds to raise awareness about sexuality and its relevant topics. Members aren’t expected to participate in these very visible activities if they don’t want to. An invite-only Facebook group with a comparatively small list of members shows that there is a community available to those who seek it out.
The Student Room, a popular forum for budding scholars in the UK, has multiple threads written by concerned teens wondering if the university would be a proper fit for them. Many answers cite a certain level of discrimination in general at the university, which does have an “undergraduate type” associated with self-image, wealth and nationalism. People who don’t fit this mold, such as LGBT and international students, admit to feeling like outliers. A recurring suggestion is that the University of Brighton has much more to offer in terms of a fun, supportive scene for anyone identifying as LGBT.
Exeter was condemned in 2012 for its decision to host an anti-gay conference, despite strong opposition from members of its LGBT society, professors and a well-known gay rights charity. The Wilberforce Academy conference is led by a UK-based religious organization who say that they have “a passion to see the United Kingdom return to the Christian faith.” Historically, they have been proponents of “corrective” or “reparative” therapy to turn homosexuals into heterosexuals. Students already battling homophobia viewed the university’s acceptance of the conference as a blatant disregard to their feelings, sense of safety and loyalty. A strict code of conduct that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation can be found in Exeter’s school policies, but you have to be aware of the gray zone here. Exeter was founded on some religious principles, and there are aspects of religion that clash with the acceptance of an LGBT person. Secondly, does the school really care more about the influx of cash its conference system receives over its student body—who also pay mind you? This couldn’t seem more apathetic or discouraging.
Ultimately, if you’re hoping for a college experience that’s filled with likeminded LGBT people and a notion of liberation that lets you just be yourself, then Exeter is not the place for you. Its member base is small compared to other campuses, and more effective at being an isolated group than a connected one. Couple this with a faculty that’s wishy-washy when it comes to support. Fear not, though. There’s a school out there to fulfill all of your hopes and dreams for the future—it just takes a little searching. Thankfully, you’re in the right place. Keep perusing our tell-all articles.
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.