UMD Named a Top LGBT-Friendly Campus

College Park, Md. -- The University of Maryland has again been recognized for its diversity and inclusion by being named a Top 25 College for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people by Campus Pride, a leading national organization that works to help create LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. UMD is the only Washington, D.C.-area university to make the list, which will be published in the Huffington Post today. This summer, Maryland also 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.

"As a public institution, we must be accessible, and our policies and practices must be inclusive," said Kumea Shorter-Gooden, UMD's Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Vice President. "We are honored to be recognized nationally as a top 25 LGBT-friendly campus, and our ambitious diversity strategic plan will continue to propel us forward in our commitment to excellence in inclusion, including for LGBT communities."

Fourteen years ago, UMD created the LGBT Equity Center to level the playing field by establishing and maintaining a fully equitable campus environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities or expressions. Today, the LGBT Equity Center has expanded its mission to include empowering innovators and agents of inclusion for LGBT people.

Other university initiatives include the extension of employee benefits to same-sex spouses and same-sex partners; the development of a growing set of policies and practices to protect and support transgender people; the expansion of campus resources that empower leaders and allies to build communities and advocate for LGBT equity; and the creation of an award-winning first-year experience for new students who identify as LGBT or allies. Additionally, UMD has one of the country's few stand-alone LGBT Studies Programs, offering a certificate and minor in LGBT Studies.

"Maryland teaches diversity competencies to all students to prepare them for the 21st century workplace," said Luke Jensen, Director of UMD's campus LGBT Equity Center. "And we foster and inspire leaders who create positive change for LGBT diversity and inclusion throughout our state, our country, and our world."

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