FORT WORTH, TEXAS - Texas Christian University offers special housing for students interested in world affairs. The environment. Foreign languages. And, starting this fall, gay and lesbian issues.
TCU is apparently the first campus in the state to reserve housing for gay students and straight students who support them. And that's earning kudos from advocates for gay students.
"It just basically says that TCU wants their campus to be safe for all students and wants everyone to feel welcomed," said Shane Windmeyer, executive director and founder of Campus Pride. The nonprofit group supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender college students.
Like many colleges, TCU offers themed housing, called "learning communities," in addition to traditional dorms or apartments. For instance, there's the Green House, for students who care about the environment. The Language and International Living House, for those who want to master another language.
Some students proposed a community with a gay and lesbian theme, and so the "DiversCity Q" community opens this fall in some on-campus apartments. Also opening: themed housing for patriotism, fine arts, marine biology and Christianity.
The idea is that students "are able to live with and near other students who have similar interests," TCU spokeswoman Lisa Albert said.
Windmeyer said TCU appears to be the only campus in Texas that offers housing with a gay and lesbian theme.
Campus Pride rates colleges across the country on their friendliness toward gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. Housing, counseling services and campus nondiscrimination policies are among the criteria. Campus participation in the ratings is voluntary; TCU is not included. Rice University in Houston receives the best rating in Texas, and the University of Texas at Austin comes in second.
Sam Wunderl , a TCU junior, said he thinks gay-friendly housing is "a big step forward" for TCU, and he believes most students are fine with the idea.
"I just think it's important for gays to feel included," said Wunderl, who is straight.
The decision, first reported by the TCU student newspaper, has received mixed reaction in the online world. On Twitter, users posted a range of comments.
"Proud of TCU for being progressive, but there's always the danger of entering 'separate but equal' territory," one woman wrote.
"Very progressive!!" one another woman wrote.
"Awful idea," one man wrote.
from The Dallas Morning News
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