Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) Student Life is housed within the Division of Student Affairs and provides support for LGBTQ+ students. The staff strives to enhance the quality of life for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, recognizing that sexual orientation and gender expression work through and are influenced by race, ethnicity, gender, culture, age, class, faith, ability status, and other social characteristics. The Director of Intercultural Student Affairs (ICSA) provides consultation to students in the area of queer issues and offers educational, informational, and advocacy services. Additionally, LGBTQ+ student organizations including EAGLE (Emerson Alliance of Gays Lesbians and Everyone) and SheCult (Art Collective for Queer Women and Femmes) are advised and supported by the Director of Intercultural Student Affairs. We use the + to stand for the multitude of other letters that represent people who see themselves in this identity. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as asexual, pansexual (experiencing attraction towards all genders), demisexual (sexual attraction tied to emotional attraction), kink, Kothi, and more. Sexual orientation, romantic orientation, and gender identity are fluid and exist on a continuum. This office seeks to support all students in the rainbow.
Colleges & Universities
The Campus Pride Index is an overall indicator of institutional commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policy, program and practice. How is this calculated?
| Region: New England | |
| City/State: Boston, MA | |
| Locale: Large Urban City (Over 500,000+) | |
| Student Population (FTE): 3,783 | |
| In-State Tuition: $44,032.00 | |
| Out-of-State Tuition: $44,032.00 | |
| Institution Website: http://www.emerson.edu |
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Institution Type: |
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| Master's College/University Baccalaureate College/University Private Institution Liberal Arts College Residential Campus |
LGBTQ Student Opportunities
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Colleges and universities want LGBTQ students, faculty and staff to be out and proud as part of the diversity of the campus community. The Campus Pride Index provides campuses the opportunity to come out as LGBTQ-friendly and take responsibility for continually improving their LGBTQ campus climate.
The Campus Pride Index features LGBTQ student opportunities by highlighting the positive work within higher education across the country. Prospective students and families may choose the best LGBTQ campuses searching the tool based on area of study, cost, location, type of campus and LGBTQ-inclusive policy, programs and practice for their college search.
Reminder: Learn more by signing-up for FREE to participate in Campus Pride's LGBTQ-friendly National College Fair Program in eight different cities and the Campus Pride National Online College Fair.
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Our Synopsis
Featured Quotes
Why you'll love Emerson College
As a white cis gay man, I have always felt very comfortable at Emerson. I feel represented, included, and comfortable in all of my classes, organizations, and environments. I can't say the same for every group that identifies on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, as I'm not a member of those subcommunities, but I would hope that they feel the same amount of inclusion and safety as I do.
— Spencer Wright
My LGBTQ+ experience at Emerson has been nothing short of rejuvenating. I am finally capable of feeling comfortable with who I am and expressing it as I see fit. I have not been able to experience this kind of acceptance elsewhere, so it means the world to be a part of this community!
— Sara Barber, Junior, Queer
At Emerson College, the LGBTQ+ experience brings home feelings of a family. You are surrounded by people who take an active interest in who you are, how you navigate through life, and they strive to make that journey easier as they travel with you. As a queer PoC, though there are few relative to the rest of the population, we all have a strong sense of community that is upheld and celebrated by all at Emerson. Truly, a place of acceptance, security, expression, and comfort.
— Christopher Henderson-West
Highlights & Organizations
Upcoming events
3/1/2017
Sexual Health Awareness Week
4/1/2017
Queer Monolouges
5/1/2017
Second Chance Prom
8/1/2017
LGBTQ+ Mixer
Groups & activities
Overall Campus Pride Index Score
The Campus Pride Index has a strong theoretical research foundation in LGBTQ current programs, practices and policies for safer, more inclusive campus learning environments. The index tool has been tested extensively since 2001 and recently updated with new, higher LGBTQ national benchmarks in 2015.
The Campus Pride Index is a vital tool for assisting campuses in learning ways to improve their LGBTQ campus life and ultimately shape the educational experience to be more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBTQ and ally people. The index is owned and operated by Campus Pride, the leading national nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create safer, more LGBTQ-Friendly learning environments at colleges and universities. Campus Pride commends the campuses participating in the index and their willingness to come out, be visible and actively advocate for improving higher education for LGBTQ people.
Note: Prospective students and families are strongly encouraged to research current state laws for any college/university you are considering. The Campus Pride Index is updated annually and only measures current campus policies, programs and practices. Find information about state laws targeting the LGBTQ+ population on the Movement Advancement Project’s Equality Maps at lgbtmap.org/equality-maps.
Emerson College
LGBTQ-friendly break-down by inclusion factors
| Sexual Orientation Score | 3.5 of 5 |
| Gender Identity/Expression Score | 4 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Policy Inclusion | 3.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment | 3.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Academic Life | 3.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Student Life | 4.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life | 4.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Campus Safety | 4 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Counseling & Health | 3.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention Efforts | 3.5 of 5 |
| Sections greyed out mean the campus does not offer those services | |
LGBTQ-Friendly Report Card
LGBTQ Policy Inclusion
| Non-discrimination statement inclusive of sexual orientation | |
| Non-discrimination statement inclusive of gender identity/expression | |
| Health insurance coverage to employees’ same sex partner | |
| Accessible, simple process for students to change their name on university records and documents | |
| Accessible, simple process for students to change their gender identity on university records and documents | |
| Students have option to self-identify sexual orientation on admission application or post enrollment forms | |
| Students have option to self-identify gender identity/expression on admission application or post enrollment forms |
LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment
| Resource center/office with responsibilities for LGBTQ students | |
| Paid staff with responsibilities for LGBTQ support services | |
| Ally program or Safe Space/Safe Zone | |
| Actively seek to employ diversity of faculty & staff including visible, out LGBTQ people | |
| Standing advisory committee that deals with LGBTQ issues | |
| LGBTQ alumni group |
LGBTQ Academic Life
| LGBTQ studies program | |
| LGBTQ specific course offerings | |
| Actively recruit faculty for LGBTQ-related academic scholarship | |
| New faculty/staff training opportunities on sexual orientation issues | |
| New faculty/staff training opportunities on gender identity issues | |
| LGBTQ faculty/staff organization |
LGBTQ Student Life
| LGBTQ & Ally student organization | |
| LGBTQ & Ally graduate student organization | |
| LGBTQ social fraternity/sorority | |
| Regularly plans LGBTQ social activities | |
| Regularly plans educational events on transgender issues | |
| Regularly offers educational events surrounding intersectionality of identities for LGBTQ people | |
| LGBTQ-inclusive career services |
LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life
| LGBTQ living space, theme floors and/or living-learning community | |
| Roommate matching for LGBTQ students to find LGBTQ-friendly roommate | |
| Gender-inclusive housing for new students | |
| Gender-inclusive housing for returning students | |
| Gender-inclusive/single occupancy restroom facilities in campus housing | |
| Gender-inclusive/single occupancy shower facilities in campus housing | |
| Trains residence life and housing staff at all levels on LGBTQ issues and concerns |
LGBTQ Campus Safety
| Procedure for reporting LGBTQ related bias incidents and hate crimes | |
| Active ongoing training for hate crime prevention | |
| Active outreach to LGBTQ students and student organization | |
| Trains campus police on sexual orientation issues | |
| Trains campus police on gender identity/expression issues | |
| Supports victims of LGBTQ sexual violence and partner violence |
LGBTQ Counseling & Health
| LGBTQ counseling/support groups | |
| Trans-inclusive trained counseling staff | |
| Free, anonymous and accessible HIV/STI testing | |
| LGBTQ-inclusive health information and safer sex materials available | |
| Trans-inclusive student health insurance policy which covers ongoing counseling services | |
| Trans-inclusive student health insurance policy which covers hormone replacement therapy |
LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention
| Annually participates in LGBTQ admission fairs | |
| LGBTQ student scholarships | |
| LGBTQ mentoring program to welcome and assist LGBTQ students in transitioning to academic and college life | |
| Special Lavender or Rainbow Graduation ceremony for LGBTQ students and allies | |
| Admission counselors receive LGBTQ-inclusive training and resources |
