UofL ranked most LGBT-conscious campus in South

The University of Louisville has been named one of the most LGBTQ-friendly campuses in the South by Campus Pride Index.

Campus Pride Index, which has been the primary benchmarking tool for colleges nationwide regarding inclusiveness for LGBTQ students, awarded U of L a 4.5 out of a possible five-star rating in both 2013 and 2014, ranking the university among the top 50 colleges in the nation.

Brian Buford, assistant provost and director of the university’s LGBTQ center, says social consciousness can be traced back to when Louisville passed fairness legislation several years ago.

“The university has always been such an advocate for LGBTQ awareness, and we’ve had courageous leadership — the president and provosts are always solidly supportive about this issue,” Buford said. “You can’t get very far in LGBTQ consciousness if you don’t have a president who believes in this cause.”

Buford says the university’s vision and primary goal is to be welcoming for LGBTQ students as well as their allies. To be successful, you can’t work with just LGBTQ students, but everyone, said Buford.

James Ramsey, president of U of L, says that “diversity, social justice and respect for all individuals are core values at U of L.

“We are proud to be a national leader on LGBTQ issues and making all students, faculty and staff welcome members of the U of L family,” Ramsey said.

The university operates a pillar system for LGBTQ students — from those coming out of the closet to those dealing with bullying or family rejection at home or church. According to Buford, the school has set up support systems, such as confidentiality support groups, one-on-one advising and counseling programs “where we teach faculty, staff and students to be allies and what it means to give them our support.”

Campus visibility is also a large factor in LGBTQ awareness. U of L celebrates pride week on campus every year. The university also offers LGBTQ-themed housing for students on campus who wish to learn more about the community, as well as LGBTQ-themed study abroad programs and research.

“We always look at each and every aspect of life on campus and seek opportunities for LGBTQ students to participate,” Buford said. “We also offer campus visits for visiting students through the lens of LGBTQ identity, and show them what they can look forward to.”

U of L’s LGBTQ center has also done social-awareness training with the Jefferson County Public Schools, and had the opportunity to train guidance counselors on why LGBTQ identities can be a factor when a prospective student chooses a college.

The school has also been working on developing programs to serve transgender students, and is currently in the middle of establishing the “preferred name option” system, where transgendered students can register preferred names that differ from birth names for classroom roll call, as well as expanding gender-neutral bathroom accessibility on campus.

“We’re just so proud to be Campus Pride Index’s highest ranked public school in the South, and I think we’re one of the best LGBTQ-friendly schools in the country,” Buford said. “This is an environment where students always excel, and that’s the message — come to U of L and be who you are, and celebrate all parts of your identity in ways that are meaningful.”