Adelphi, a Safe Zone/LGBTQ-friendly Campus

Photo credit: Adelphi University

It's that time of the year again: housing deposits and applications are due.  But this time, something big's changed: gender inclusive housing.

If you registered to reside on the Garden City campus next fall, you were asked if you'd be "interested in gender inclusive housing."

Most students think of gender inclusive housing as a way for heterosexual couples to live with each other.  However, that was not the intention.  The purpose for this program, currently being proposed, is for students to recognize that Adelphi is moving forward and is LGBTQ friendly.  Gender inclusive housing allows for students, regardless of gender identity and sexual preference, to reside comfortably at Adelphi.

Photo credit: Adelphi University

Many students who have not been Safe Zone trained or are not knowledgeable about their LGBTQ community seem to be against gender inclusive housing and/or supportive of gender inclusive housing for non-LGBTQ related reasons.

"Bad idea," says Junior Leyba, '14. "Nobody will ever get any work done."

"They should really let guys live with girls," says Claudio Ventura, '16.

"Just because I have a girlfriend doesn't mean I'm going to live with her," says Miguel Molina.  "It's just that a guy should be comfortable living with a guy."

"That's nuts...," says Lauren Tesoriero, '14. "I think it can cause a lot of housing issues if two straight people, like a couple, dorm together and then break up, or fight and stuff."

But aren't we adults by now?  Shouldn't we have the right to decide whether or not we want to live with our partners?

One student gave me a different perspective: learning to connect with the opposite sex.  "I support it," says Sam Mirkov, '14.  "It's a great way to connect, even if some people feel it's inappropriate.  Cause think of all the people who have trouble connecting with the opposite sex. [In terms of homosexuals,] it depends on the person.  If he is looking for a partner, he might get attached [in gender exclusive housing].  To be honest, I'd rather live with the opposite sex."

At yesterday's Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, a bill was passed, stating that SGA is in support of gender inclusive housing.  Senators who participated in the discussion were overwhelmingly supportive of the proposal.

Although gender inclusive housing may not be available by fall 2013, the fact that it is being considered is a huge step towards a more socially just community.  Over 129 colleges/universities in the US already provide gender inclusive housing, including Stony Brook University, Albany University, Cornell University, and University of Oregon.

Photo credit: University of Oregon