AMHERST, Mass.—The University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Amherst College have been recognized as among the best campuses in the country for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students. The designation comes from the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index, an annual national assessment of LGBT college life conducted by Campus Pride, a support and advocacy organization for LGBT college students. The two schools were among 53 colleges and universities to achieve this distinction, receiving the highest possible rating on their policies related to both sexual orientation and gender identity. Campus Pride also named UMass Amherst as one of the top 25 colleges in the country for LGBT students. [pullquote]“We are grateful and honored that Amherst College has been recognized as one of the most LGBT- supportive campuses,” says Angie Tissi, MPH, director of the Queer Resource Center at Amherst College.[/pullquote]
“We are extremely proud that UMass Amherst was found to be among the most LGBT-supportive campuses for the third consecutive year,” states Genny Beemyn, Ph.D., director of the Stonewall Center, the LGBT center at the college. “Many people have worked hard for many years to ensure that UMass Amherst is welcoming to and inclusive of LGBT students. It is gratifying to be acknowledged for the tremendous progress we have made so far.”
“We are grateful and honored that Amherst College has been recognized as one of the most LGBT- supportive campuses,” says Angie Tissi, MPH, director of the Queer Resource Center at Amherst College. “We have an impressive group of active student leaders, staff, and faculty who have worked endlessly to bring visibility and create resources, while continuing to work for an even more supportive and inclusive LGBT campus community. We are excited about our 5-star rating and we recognize that there is more work that still needs to be done on our campus and across the nation.” [pullquote]UMass established one of the nation’s first professionally staffed LGBT campus centers when it opened the Stonewall Center in 1985, and the school created the first residence hall program for LGBT and allied students in 1992.[/pullquote]
UMass Amherst and Amherst College have been pioneers in supporting LGBT students. UMass established one of the nation’s first professionally staffed LGBT campus centers when it opened the Stonewall Center in 1985, and the school created the first residence hall program for LGBT and allied students in 1992. Amherst College was among the first institutions to enable students to have a roommate of any gender in all of its campus housing, which helps provide a safe and comfortable environment for transgender students. Both schools also offer the Five College Certificate in Queer and Sexuality Studies.
[From a News Release]
