For Immediate Release
August 3, 2012
Contacts: Beth Cavanaugh, 301-405-4625 or bcavana@umd.edu

UMD Receives High Scores on National LGBT Climate Index

COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Further demonstrating its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the University of Maryland has received the highest score, five stars, on the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index, a national assessment tool that helps improve the environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people on campus.

The index includes eight LGBT-friendly factors. UMD received perfect marks in the areas of support and institutional commitment, campus safety, counseling and health, and recruitment and retention efforts -- and near perfect scores in policy inclusion, academic life, student life, and housing and residential life.

"As a university that is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, we are honored to be recognized nationally as an LGBT-friendly campus," said Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Vice President. "For many years, numerous staff, faculty and students have worked tirelessly toward this end. We should both celebrate our accomplishments and continue our efforts to ensure full inclusion of LGBT people."

In 1998, UMD created the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity Center to establish and maintain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming campus environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities or expressions. Other university initiatives include the expansion of employee benefits to include same-sex spouses and same-sex partners and the creation of an award-winning first-year experience program for new students who identify as LGBT. Additionally, UMD has one of the few stand-alone LGBT Studies Programs in the country.

1