When identifying as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) or anywhere else on the queer spectrum, moving to new places may be difficult and nerve-wracking. This can be especially rough when you move to college.
It can be scary to enter a new place without knowing how those around you will treat your sexuality or gender identity. However, college is the perfect place to broaden your horizons and be yourself. There are several things that you can do to make sure that you have the most enjoyable time at college, while still being safe and growing into a confident young adult.
Finding organizations on campus that are directed towards diverse groups of people is an options that can quickly help you find an accepting bunch of students. Some colleges have organizations such as GSAs (gay-straight alliance) or equality clubs. These may offer information of queer influence on your school, rules for housing and bathrooms in regards to gender identity, and quick friendships with people who identify in the LGBTQ community and their allies.
Having a good relationship with your professors, RAs, and security on campus is also important. It may be scary at first, but sometimes you may need to approach your professor about your identity. This often comes with being transgender or gender nonconforming and having to explain your pronouns or request to use a specific name in class. It is better to approach this early with your professors so there is more time for them to adjust and change names on rosters, online discussion boards, and their grade book. Your housing directors and Resident Advisors also need to be involved at some level. This will be important, because there is always the chance that you could get a homophobic/transphobic roommate, or you may wish to live in the housing that matches your gender identity. Most campuses also have security that can be reached all day, every day. Your relationships with them can be linked more to safety concerns. On the off chances that you feel unsafe or something happens, such as harassment or violence, security is there to help you. Never feel like you can’t utilize your access to their protection.
It is also so important that you have someone, or something, with you that can keep you positive and feeling good. It can be hard to be away from family for the first time, and it can be even harder to move to a new place where you feel like you are alone. As a queer person, it can be very easy to get discouraged. This can be about relationships, transitions, or just lack of education about the LGBTQ community around you. Don’t let the obstacles discourage you. Have a best friend that you can go to, a playlist that you can jam to, or an exercise set that you can use to burn off some steam. Being a member of the LGBTQ community can be hard and stressful, especially when you may be figuring stuff out on your own, or you are just now able to openly be your authentic self. There may be times that it seems like you are the only one going through struggles with identity, or that you will never find someone to date on campus like all your other friends.
College is the time to become who you really are and where you can learn to be happy in your own skin. It may be scary as an LGBTQ individual, but everything will be okay.
