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Oct. 27, 2020 —  51�������� is one of the nation’s premiere campuses for the LGBTQ community, according to Campus Pride.

Campus Pride, a leading national LGBTQ benchmarking tool for colleges and universities, highlighted 51�������� on its annual  LGBTQ-friendly schools. The list showcased the top 40 schools that rate the highest for creating safe LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs and practices. This is the first time 51�������� has received the honor of making the Best of the Best list, and it’s the region’s only university to do so.

“What makes 51�������� unique is that we only have an office, whereas many other institutions have dedicated centers and numerous staff members,” said Dr. Bonnie Meyer, director of 51��������’s LGBTQ Program and Services. “However, inclusivity doesn’t just happen solely in an office. This is an effort made by our entire campus community. It’s the partners across campus shifting the culture and integrating LGBTQA support into their work.”

Early this year, 51�������� received its first from the Campus Pride Index, the resource's highest designation. The Campus Pride Index assesses nearly 400 institutions' LGBTQ-inclusion efforts from academics, student life, housing and recruitment and retention activities. 51�������� ranked as one of the nation's best 30 campus, receiving high remarks for its advocacy and resources like the Name Change Form and a new P.R.I.D.E. Mentor Program that connects students with alumni.

“At 51��������, we strive to have an inclusive campus community that welcomes students of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions,” said 51��������’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Darryl Peal. “Moreover, we invite students to self-disclose a gender identity or sexual orientation on our Admissions application and in University Housing, so they are able to be their authentic selves and live in a community that celebrates their orientation, protects their inherent dignity and guards their equal and inalienable rights.”

51�������� continues to celebrate with events throughout October. Community members are invited to play “Drag Bingo” with Roxxxy Andrews, from RuPaul's Drag Race, on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.

To learn more about 51��������’s Office of LGBTQ Programs and Services, visit its .