GaMIT: Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgenders, and Friends at MIT

Dorms

"I can't really think of anyone falling into any of these categories, so I can't really say how accepted our group is, although I am guessing fairly accepting and if there are any, clearly they aren't being made to stand out in anyway."

"Two of my five suitemates are gay, and it's not a big deal at all." (Conner 1)

"I lived in Burton Connor my freshman year... I came out to my roommates second term freshman year, and they were cool with it... After that, I feel like our friendship grew. I didn't know any other lbgt people in the dorm. But I would imagine that how accepting people are depends on the floor, and the suite you are in." (Burton 5)

"Everyone whom I've talked to about this has been really accepting and open-minded. I think East Campus is willing to let people be themselves." (2nd West)

"There are many homosexual, bisexual, and trans people that hang out here. There are also many heterosexual people who hang out here. We all get along really well together. As an out lesbian myself, I feel very comfortable here. In fact, a friend of mine who lives here also came out as gay in the fall, and we were all very supportive of him. We even threw him a "coming out" party." (3rd East)

"So, I live on 4th East because it is clean and quiet, and that is fitting for me, however, my hall is not so outwardly queer friendly. But the rest of EC on a whole is VERY friendly and accepting...But even still, no one has ever been mean or hateful or threatening to me on my floor, rather, they've always been very polite and kind. EC is a VERY SAFE PLACE for GLBT, even the T (like me)." (4th East)

"As long as you don't impose what you believe on others I haven't run into anyone who cares, just be who you are. Hanging out, seeing a movie, whatever has nothing to do with personal choice." (A Entry)

"We have previously had openly homosexual individuals live in our living group and the group dynamic has not changed with their departure (due to graduation). The entry is very tolerant and open to people of all races, sexes, and sexual orientations." (B Entry)

"E-entry is filled with people of different hobbies, religions. It is a mix, not unlike MIT. So you will find the majority to be totally accepting and supporting and overall "woohoo" while certain individuals will be far less accepting. The unaccepting kind, though, is very silent." (E Entry)

"Everyone does their own thing. No one is going to criticise what others do in their own room." (G Entry)

"There are probably a few people in McCormick that are homophobic and would be uncomfortable with lesbian neighbors, but I don't personally know any such people; I think the vast majority of people here are perfectly accepting of anyone and everyone..."

"I am bisexual and all of my friends are very accepting. People here are generally awesome."

"...I would be more comfortable with a L or B than a T ALso, McCormick isn't very social. If somone here is LBG or T no one would probably notice anyway."

"I actually haven't met a single openly bisexual or gay person in my two years in McCormick. I honestly don't know how people would react to a lesbian. My guess is that people would be quietly shocked, like they were when I had male visitors."

"It is a VERY conservative dorm...And it is very UNACCEPTING of Trans folk."

"I think that given the group dynamic, the most uncomfortable situation would be admitting discomfort with homosexuality." (French House)

"I personally identify myself sometimes as bisexual, sometimes as gay. Many people in New House know this, and I feel confortable living here... [I] don't publicize it too much either, still I think New House is a LBGT friendly place." (House 3)

"The house in general is not very sexual, so an inidividuals sexuality is generally not an issue. I've very good reasons to believe that most of the guys in my dorm would not support homosexuality... but the odds of the issue coming up are slim. Nonetheless, I doubt anyone would want to live here if they were concerned about someone finding out. Naturally, a lot of people in the house are completely comfortable with different sexualities..." (House 5)

"I don't think anyone living in German House this year is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. However, I have LBGT friends who have each lived here for a year. I think nearly everyone in German House is very open-minded." (German House)

"I would walk down the hall, and the residents would just stop and stare at me. I would walk into the multiuse bathroom, and everyone else would leave. They were very wary of me, and I was all alone..."

" i don't see [the group acceptability] as a problem." (3 East)

"I've found Random to be a very very open and accepting place for LGBT people, and haven't heard a single dergatory use of queer, faggot, or dyke here ever."

"Random Hall is pretty accepting about things in general, though I can't think of many queer people here besides myself"

"Our living group is pretty cool with it, as are most of my friends. I lived with a bisexual roommate for a year, and will be living with her again this summer, which is totally cool. It's just like living with someone who's straight - you have to deal with all the same issues, really - shutting the door at certain times, making agreements and so on..."

"People are probably more disturbed by my tendency to be shirtless than my bisexuality." (Doomcom)

"The haus tends to be very sexual; people would inquire about your sexuality so they can guess who you are going to make out with. The dorm staged a rainbow flag display during the marriage hearings last year. Unisex (single occupancy) bathrooms, single rooms, and a VERY welcoming environment also makes the Haus exceptionally trans friendly." (4th floor)

Independent Living Groups

"I would be skeptical of a living group that says "oh, everyone is totally accepting," because I suspect that's not real life. At ET, there are plenty of people who are genuinely lgbt-accepting, and there are also a few people who believe it's not morally acceptable. But - and this is the important part - everyone will respect you, and understand that people can have important differences and still live and work together."

"I've lived at Fenway for a year, and it's really a very accepting place and has a history of being very accepting. Our alumni corporation president is gay, he's married to his long time partner who's also a house alum. Our current house president is bisexual."

"There have been varying numbers of pikans who would fit the the LGBT description, but pikans don't tend to label themselves as such."

"Student House effectively accomodates a very diverse group of students. Despite these differences, I have found everyone in the house to be very open minded and amiable, fostering a strong community within the house."

"My living group has had several openly gay members, has lots of very liberal accepting people, as well as conservative people. We all coexist, and are even able to talk about our differences in belief, culture, and practice..."

Fraternities

"I rated our living group as unaccepting because of a small number of individuals, not the general consensus of the house."

"We don't currently have any openly gay members, but I certainly would think they would be accepted just like any of the other great brothers we have. We have had gay members in the past and in the recent past a gay president."

"I feel like my fraternity would not have an issue with a homosexual living in the house. We are very accepting of each other, and very comfortable with ourselves and with our brothers. However, we do often joke with each other and give each other a little friendly ribbing, since we are so comfortable with each other. A homosexual living with us would have to be comfortable with that."

"It was tough for me at first when I came to college because I wasn't out to anyone here or at home. Over time, I came out to my fraternity brothers and found them to be understanding and accepting. I feel fully confident in my decision to join PBE. What I love about my house is that it brings together so many different types of people. We pride ourselves on having a diverse brotherhood and can all learn from one another. Being gay would not prevent someone from becoming a brother here..."

"I think everyone would be accepting of someone who is openly gay. We just have not needed to deal with it in the recent past. We have had gay members before and they have had really enjoyable expierences and the brothers have been suportive of thier sexual orientation."

"We joke around a lot, and do use words like "faggot", but because of the very essence of what a fraternity is, we would be quick to stopping if one was to take offense."

"tEp has completely changed the way I think of myself as a gay man. When I got here ... I knew who I was, but tEp taught me that I could have meaningful relationships with non-gay men, without ever feeling like I was being judged.

"I love it here. My sexuality isn't an issue. Gay brothers don't hit on me (unless I want them to), and I'm allowed to be myself, without being labeled."

"tEp is a very accepting place. The residents are very diverse, and people who are not used to interacting with members of the LBGT community find living here to be an eye-opening experience, and they quickly become comfortable around all sorts of people. We are very busy living with one another, and we don't have the time to be discriminating assholes.

"tEp is known as the "gay frat" because of its open attitudes about homo/bisexuality. It's great to find such an accepting environment, and it just adds to the diverse culture already present. Some of my best friends are gay and bi, and it's actually a benefit because of the different perspective they offer."

"TDC is open and we have a gay brother.. But there still is quite a bit of "that's gay" and they tease the gay bro a little about it... but its mostly because he allows it and thinks its funny. If anyone were to voice an objection, I'm sure their concern would be considered valid and appropriate actions would be taken"

"One of my roommates is gay. He's always been accepted and I don't believe he's ever had to hide any part of his personality."

"Words like 'queer, faggot, or dyke' may be used at my living group, but always in a joking manner and usually never condescendingly to someone of interesting sexual persuasion. Also, like most any issue among good friends, simply stating that such word use bothers you would be enough for people not to use it."

"There are a couple openly gay brothers who are treated with total respect and acceptance."

"Guys say stupid stuff, but they don't really mean any harm."

Sororities

"While I don't know of anyone who is a lesbian in my sorority, I don\'t see why it would be problem if someone were or that living in the house would still be a viable option."

"...we are incredibly open and accepting group who supports our entire sisterhood unequivocally and champions equal rights everywhere. We were founded on nondiscrimination and uphold this as one of our dearest values."

"AEPhi was founded on the basis of non-discrimination. With that in our history, it is no surprise that we are a welcoming, accepting community. Sisters are sisters, no matter the other labels they assign to themselves."

"I'd be surpised and disappointed if anyone in my sorority was NOT accepting of people with various sexual orientations. The last time someone came out, the response, as far as I know, was only acceptance, encouragement, and appreciation for her trust in us."

"It never crossed my mind that living with someone who is gay is any different than living with a heterosexual. I just don't think it matters."

"I've been able to treat a girlfriend the way any of the girls would treat a boyfriend in the house. without ever receiving strange looks or dissaproving comments. I always receive encouragement to be myself."

"I couldn't imagine any of my sisters making anyone feel uncomfortable for any reason, including sexual preference. That's just not our style."

"I'm proud to say that we are accepting of alternative lifestyles, not just sexual orientation. We have a broad range of sisters here from all backgrounds and personality types."