Historically black colleges commit to more support for LGBTQ students

Photo Credit: Human Rights Campaign.

Photo Credit: Human Rights Campaign.

Leaders of a dozen Historically Black Colleges & Universities, including two in Georgia, met Wednesday with the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization to discuss steps the schools are taking to better support those students on campus.

The day-long summit meeting was the largest-ever gathering of HBCU presidents discussing LGBTQ inclusive practices and policies, Human Rights Campaign officials said. Officials from Savannah State University and Spelman College attended the meeting, the HRC said. Yesterday’s meeting was the second annual meeting between the HRC and HBCUs.

Several colleges discussed ongoing efforts to support LGBTQ students on their campuses. The participants discussed issues such as HIV prevention, corporate diversity and supporting the families of LGBTQ HBCU prospective and current students.

Spelman, near downtown Atlanta, announced plans last year to admit students who identify as women, regardless of the gender listed on the student's birth certificate. The college last semester vowed to investigate several handwritten notes using offensive language toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people some students said they've found in their dorm rooms.

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