View source for Blank

Selecting a college to attend is an arduous and confusing process for all teenagers. This process could be further complicated for someone who is looking for a specific college that meets certain criteria, such as whether they have certain sports, clubs, or organizations they can join. For an LGBT student, it is especially important to attend a college that will guarantee them a good, safe college experience.  Princeton University is obviously a well known Ivy League school, but is also considered one of the top 20 universities for LGBT students. They have an LGBT center that provides “educational, social, and supportive programming, along with training sessions and consultations” as well as a plethora of events, student organizations, and university programs.  Princeton’s LGBT community is an active one, guaranteed to make any student feel right at home. 

Princeton’s LGBT history dates back to 1989, when the Dean of the Chapel and Dean of Student Life hired graduate students to manage LGBT student activities. This organization kept growing into a thriving community and gained a lot of popularity. In the spring of 2002, students Gabriel Barrett, Sue Dyer, Jan Runkle, Vigi Sklar, Kris Kersey, and Chad Klaus began writing and editing a proposal with the help of alumni for the creation of an LGBT center. This proposal was presented in 2003 to Shirley Tilghman (who was the President for Campus Life then) who immediately “recognized the need for increased support and resources for the LGBT campus community”. In the summer of 2005, it was announced that the LGBT Student Services office would become the LGBT Center, joining other centers such as the Fields Center, Women's Center, and International Center. Construction for the LGBT Center began in October 2005, and it was finished in March 2006. 

::[[Image:Front_Desk.JPG ]]

Princeton’s LGBT Center’s goal is to “enhance the Princeton University campus community and to ensure the advancement of students’ academic pursuits by creating an open and affirming environment void of homophobia, heterosexism, and gender bias”. The LGBT center is known for being a supportive place to discuss important topics that many LGBT students are faced with, such as coming out, sexual orientation, gender identity, discrimination, etc. They also provide a monthly programming calendar that provides a list of LGBT social events that the center holds each semester as well as an LGBT Announcement List that sends emails to students about upcoming events. The center also has a resource room and library filled with informational books, journals, and brochures, a workstation and office for LGBT organizations, and a Rainbow Lounge filled with LGBT resources, which is also known for its programs, meetings, as well as being a place to hang out and study. 

::[[Image:Student_lounge.JPG]] 

In addition to the LGBT center, Princeton also provides other resources for LGBT students. They boast gender neutral and unisex bathrooms and have a list and map of where these bathrooms can be located. They also have many health services for all students seeking information about LGBT health such as STIs, HIV/AIDS, safer sex practices, birth control methods, preconception/contraception counseling, general sexual health care, pregnancy option counseling, and initial prenatal care with community referrals. These services address health issues including nutrition and eating concerns, alcohol and other drug abuse, sexual health and relationship issues, physical illness, stress, depression, and anxiety. Princeton also provides counseling and psychological services that offer personal counseling and group therapy not only for LGBT students but for those who are questioning their sexuality.  Additionally, they have a service called SHARE (Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and Education) where students can go to talk about or report any incidents regarding sexual harassment.

::[[Image:Gender_Neutral.JPG]]