AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts Amherst has again been recognized as one of the best campuses in the country for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students by Campus Pride, a support and advocacy organization for LGBT college students.



UMass Amherst is one of 53 colleges and universities that earned a five-star rating in the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index, an annual national assessment of LGBT college life conducted by Campus Pride, which also named UMass Amherst as one of the top 25 colleges in the country for LGBT students. The index rated 380 schools nationally.



"We are extremely proud that UMass Amherst was found to be among the most LGBT-supportive campuses for the third consecutive year," said Genny Beemyn, director of the Stonewall Center, the LGBT center at the university. "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."

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. UMass Amherst is also part of the Five College consortium, which offers a certificate in queer and sexuality studies.