Advocating for LGBTQ Pride & Equality on Your College Campus

Starting college is an exciting time filled with new experiences, challenges, and opportunities to shape your identity and your community. For LGBTQ students, it's also a chance to find accepting and affirming communities.

According to Williams Institute and Point Foundation research, many students leave their hometowns searching for LGBTQ-friendly campuses. Whether you’re an ally or part of the LGBTQ community, you can positively impact your campus in many ways. Here is how you can do it. 

Get educated about LGBTQ issues

Before you can advocate effectively, you must be informed about LGBTQ issues.

At Point Foundation, the largest LGBTQ-student granting scholarship nonprofit, we monitor the issues that affect students nationwide. We conduct research and poll our students to discover the struggles LGBTQ students face.

Educating yourself is a way to become a more effective advocate on your campus. Some major issues affecting LGBTQ people everywhere and on campuses today include:

·    Nationwide anti-LGBTQ policy movements: More than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills are being considered in state capitols nationwide. Some of these bills affect campuses, removing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programming that supports LGBTQ students, restricting educational offerings that acknowledge LGBTQ identities and history, and more.  Learn more about the anti-LGBTQ wave sweeping the nation here.

·    Title IX challenges: Despite efforts to reinstitute protections against discrimination for LGBTQ college students in Title IX, several states are challenging enforcing the new rules. This means that these protections are not being spread to LGBTQ students on many campuses. The 26 states challenging Title IX expanded protections are Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

·    Ongoing hurdles to higher education: LGBTQ students face more obstacles to success in postsecondary education.

•    Students in four-year institutions have $14,769 more in student debt on average than their non-LGBTQ peers.

•    LGBTQ students are more than twice as likely to face unfair treatment at the hands of university administrators than their non-LGBTQ peers.

•    LGBTQ students are three times as likely to report poor mental health while in college than their classmates.

While this information is disheartening, it’s important to know what students currently face to fight for better support. Find more data bout the LGBTQ student experience on campus by browsing the Point research reports.

Join or start an LGBTQ club or organization

One of the best ways to build community and support is by joining or starting an LGBTQ student group on campus. These organizations host events, provide safe spaces for discussion, and advocate for LGBTQ rights on campus. 

If your school doesn’t have an LGBTQ group, consider starting one! Building an LGBTQ community on campus provides support, raises awareness, and creates a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Building a community on campus can mean being visible to your community. Consider whether you feel prepared to post on public websites, campus club social platforms, or contact local LGBTQ centers to recruit other LGBTQ students into your club. Each campus has unique student club policies, but you can find some general guidance for how to establish a community on the Point website.

Challenge discriminatory policies

Many campuses have policies that discriminate against LGBTQ students. These can range from bathroom policies that don’t allow transgender and nonbinary students to use the appropriate facility, to dress codes that reinforce gender stereotypes. If you notice policies like this at your school, don’t be afraid to speak up. 

Work with your school’s administration, student government, or LGBTQ organizations to challenge and change these policies. Point Foundation’s policy resource highlights several examples of how students have successfully challenged and changed discriminatory policies at their schools.

Advocate for inclusive education

Inclusive education is crucial for creating an environment where all students feel seen and respected. Advocate for LGBTQ topics to be included in your school’s curriculum, whether in history, literature, or health classes. This helps normalize LGBTQ identities and provides representation that is often lacking in schools.

Participate in LGBTQ events

Participating in or organizing events like Pride Month celebrations, LGBTQ History Month, or Day of Silence can be powerful ways to engage LGBTQ students and raise awareness on campus. These events not only celebrate LGBTQ identities but also educate the broader student body and create visibility for the community.

Join online events like the Point Out in Higher Ed Week, Oct. 28-Nov. 1. Hear LGBTQ peers share their experiences on campuses nationwide and find more LGBTQ student resources. This Out in Higher Ed Week, Point and our network will share ways to advocate for a more affirming, equitable community.

Support mental health resources for LGBTQ students

Mental health is a critical issue for many LGBTQ students, who may face unique challenges such as discrimination, bullying, or isolation. Advocate for mental health resources that specifically address the needs of LGBTQ students. This could include counseling services, support groups, or training for staff and faculty on LGBTQ issues.

Be a visible ally

If you’re an ally, one of the most important things you can do is be visible in your support for the LGBTQ community. This can be as simple as wearing a rainbow pin, attending LGBTQ events, or speaking out against discrimination when you see it. Your support can make a huge difference in making LGBTQ students feel welcome and valued on campus.

It's about making the community better for everybody

Advocating for LGBTQ pride and equality on your college campus is not just about supporting your peers. It’s about creating a more inclusive, respectful, and vibrant community for everyone. 

Whether through challenging policies, building community, or simply being a visible ally, you can make a difference in many ways. Remember, every small action contributes to a larger movement of acceptance and equality. So, take the initiative, get involved, and help make your campus a place where everyone can thrive.

For more inspiration and guidance, join Point Foundation’s Out in Higher Ed week, where students like you will learn from each other and gain valuable resources to advocate for change! 

You can also visit the Point Foundation’s website for more resources and scholarship opportunities. Or, if you're in the process of researching and planning to apply to colleges, check out Appily's list of colleges and universities with LGBTQ student resource groups.