chrisface991

I feel kind of silly asking this because to me it seems ridiculous that this would even factor into my decision of where to go to school but I was wondering what the gay population is at Auburn? I don't need a statistic as much as a confirmation that finding another kid that is out is not impossible. I don't want high school 2.0 basically.

Also is it usually a gay friendly campus? I'm not a flamer by any means (in fact I usually find people who feel the need to make their sexuality known 24/7 annoying) but I also don't want to be glared at for the next 4 years of my life. I get that it's Alabama and a southern school but considering I'm from Georgia and have been fine I don't think it would be that different? (I could be totally wrong on that.)

Sorry if this is a stupid post but I just want to make sure I'm making the right choice in schools and this is one of the last categories that will help me make my choice.

boomu

While Auburn is in general a very conservative school, as is Bama, UGA, Clemson etc., I think you will find that it is large enough to have a diverse student body. I have never heard of any gay bashing or anything like that happening. It seems to me to be a pretty tolerant student body in many respects, sexuality and race included.

studentessa

The university itself is probably the state's most open minded campus when it comes to sexuality, though that isn't too saying much. As a native Alabamian(who lives relatively close to Auburn) let me warn you - the state itself is extremely close minded and conservative. Auburn is not a huge town, and it isn't surrounded by large cities where people are exposed to various backgrounds and views. That is the case with most of Alabama. The state seems to be behind much of the country when it comes to tolerance and acceptance.

I'm not gay, yet I'm absolutely thrilled to be leaving the state and going to a more liberal and open minded area. It is your choice, and you know best what makes you happy and what type of atmosphere you are comfortable with, but I do think you should get the honest truth - the state of Alabama as a whole is extremely unfriendly towards the gay community.

Atlanta68

UA had an office for the GLBT community in the student center as early as 87, so not sure AU is a better place for gays. AU does have a higher percentage of guys, but my AU friends were much more in the closet than my gay friends at UA.

boomu

Seriously Atlanta68, this is getting crazy! Stop turning everything into an AU v UA battle! Why even bring UA into this thread???? It's about being gay at AUBURN not Bama. FYI: Auburn has a Gay/Lesbian alliance also, as do most all campuses and even some high schools these days. That is nothing new nor is it anything to particularly brag about. It doesn't meant that you will fit in better at the campus if you happen to be gay. It's kind of like saying that your school is diverse because it has a few Black kids and a couple of Asians and they have a club where they can get together. The existence of a club, or even openly gay people, does not equate to a tolerant or safe atmosphere for a Gay/Lesbian as a whole. So again, the original question was about being Gay at AUBURN......as far as campus culture goes, can someone be open and be accepted and have a good collegiate experience? My advice is to visit the campus and see if you can make a judgement. Visit the Gay/Lesbian office for advice while you are there.

Atlanta68

I hear ya. I can see why you would think Im knocking AU. I was basing my post on what friends of mine at AU went through back in the late 80s and early 90s. I am sure things have progressed at AU. Homophobic things happened at both schools, so you are right. Actually, my memory is that AU had a higher number of Gays back then, but they were a bit more closeted on average than at UA. Back then, AU did not have a GL club, but I am basing my thoughts too much on the past. Atlanta is closer to AU and that is a big plus for any gay man. So AU might be a better choice for some gay guys. Sorry to sound so critical of AU.