1. Oberlin College (Oberlin):

“I’d say that Oberlin is a great place to be gay,” says Andy Monk, co-chairman of the Lambda Union, one of Oberlin’s five LGBT organizations. “There are a lot of kids here who haven't dealt with or even thought about their straight privilege or their internalized heterosexism but it’s more likely than not that they’ll be challenged to do so before they leave this place.”

Oberlin has five social groups that are dedicated to working with LGBT students. The Lambda Union acts as an organization that serves all members of the queer community. The group brings in speakers, plans programs and holds weekly meetings. LGBTU (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Union) is the most active student group on campus and it also has the biggest budget.

LGBTU’s goals include organizing political, educational and social events and to advance understanding and respect to sexual minorities.

Oberlin also has programs called Act up, OUTrage and Zami-Color. These diverse student groups range from those dedicated to working with the local high school youth to queer people of color. It also hosts an annual Drag Ball, which is the most popular and attended event at the school every year.

“I’m just worried about what will happen when I graduate because Oberlin, even with all the problems it does have, it doesn’t even compare to the outside world,” Monk says. “I’m getting spoiled.”

2. Ohio State University (Columbus):

Ohio State University has 17 LGBT student groups, as well as organizations for faculty and staff. The LGBT Student Services Center within the Multicultural Center runs the HERO Program, (Homophobia is Everyone’s Responsibility to Overcome), which educates the faculty and staff about LGBT issues. It also plans programs throughout the year, including activities for National Coming Out Day, Intersex Awareness Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and GLBTIA Awareness Week. It also coordinates the Ohio Transgender Day of Remembrance Conference and “The Other Prom,” an LGBT-affirming prom.

Fusion is the oldest LGBT student group at OSU. The groups mission is to provide a safe space for LGBT people and heterosexual allies through education, outreach, advocacy and social activities. The Wexner Center for the Arts also offers a popular gay and lesbian film festival and it mixes LGBT themes in its exhibits frequently. 22 area bars and clubs offer an outlet for LGBT students, including Club Diversity at 863 S. High Street. The Advocate, the national gay and lesbian news magazine, once included Columbus on a “best of” list for the gayest small-size cities.

“While discrimination is a reality here as everywhere,” says Brett Beemyn, coordinator of GLBT Student Services, “many students feel comfortable being out and experience few problems.”

3. Antioch College (Yellow Springs):

Antioch College is small private school with only 618 undergraduate students. It has a popular Queer Center that provides a support group and network for the LGBT population at Antioch. According to Antioch College’s Web site, “The Queer Center recognizes the right of each individual to define, classify, or label themselves according to their own beliefs and experiences.” The center offers various types of community outreach by sponsoring speakers, films, poets, art shows and workshops.

Last year, Leslie Feinberg, author of many novels addressing transgender issues, also spoke at the school’s graduation.

4. Ohio University (Athens):

Ohio University has 11 different LGBT organizations including GLOBE (Gay, Lesbian, Or Bisexual Employees of Ohio University) and Swarm of Dykes. It also has an LGBT Programs Center, which according to the OU Web site, is “committed to fostering human development and cultivating an inclusive, open, and supportive community through education, support, student engagement, collaboration, and advocacy at Ohio University and beyond.”

There are a numerous amount of activities offered each year, including LGBT Community Celebration and Pride Graduation. The center also develops quarterly programs devoted to LGBT literature, including Queer Words, Queer Worlds and the LGBT Book Club. Ohio University also assists with the organization of PRIDE week. The university also has two discussion groups called, “Out and About: The Coming Out Group” and “Transitions: Support Group.”

“Personally, as a gay student here at OU, I feel it is a fairly welcoming environment for the most part,” says Justin Maxwell, president of Ally, a club for allies of the LGBT community.

5. Kent State University (Kent):

“I am happy to say that people on campus are very accepting and appreciative of other people’s preferences,” says Drew Danals, a sophomore fashion design major. “Also that there is a large comfort zone throughout the campus.”

Although Kent State is currently the last major university in Ohio without an LGBT office of student services, it does offer many social groups for the LGBT community. PRIDE! Kent is the second oldest in the nation for the LGBT community. The group’s purpose is to educate the campus and surrounding community about LGBT issues, as well as create a supportive environment for those in need, regardless of sexual orientation. PRIDE! Kent holds events for the entire student body and conducts speaker bureaus in which students ask a panel of LGBT students questions regarding PRIDE! Kent, the members’ lives and the community. There is also a Safe Zone Program at Kent that provides havens for LGBT students who feel harassed or persecuted because of their sexuality. These gay-friendly offices are marked with a pink triangle. The office’s mission is to keep the students safe and offer consultation. Kent also has an organization called Friends and Allies for straight allies of the LGBT community.

“It’s generally friendly [at Kent State], [but] most of it depends on the individual,” says Karl Hopkins-Lutz, secretary of PRIDE! Kent. “Most people can’t even tell if many people are gay or lesbian outside of PRIDE! meetings.”

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Fusion is produced by students at Kent State University twice per academic year. No part of Fusion may be reprinted without permission.