Gay Friendly School List Needed

[235788]

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OP, should retake the MCAT if he's so set on a big name school. The md/phd's at my lowly institution have like 35s

 

[deleted103644]

1) Include it in your PS if it's part of your narrative. It will give you something to talk about on interviews and would only potentially hurt you in the South.

2) Don't apply to the South. Even though universities are pretty accepting, the locals won't be. Apply to more schools including less prestigious ones on both coasts.

3) Don't retake the MCAT unless you're sure you can do much better. I would still send out an application with your current stats and update it with your MCAT score (being late is worse than having a 34).

 

[NickNaylor]

Im not sure. I get the feeling that if it were somehow tied into an essay (sprinkled in, not the main ingredient) that the diversity committee would be all over it.

Probably true, but blatantly attempting to "score points" in and of itself says something about the character of the applicant that is unappealing. Maybe people would care, maybe they wouldn't - I know I would and it's something I would dock an applicant for. I interviewed a couple of gay applicants this past year who didn't disclose their sexual orientation explicitly, yet 5-10 minutes into the interview I was able to piece together the fact that they were gay just based on my discussion with them. One's experiences and life story speak for themselves. Going out of your way to highlight things that you think might get you some diversity points is painfully obvious and, in my opinion, a stupid thing to do.

 

[Tots]

Probably true, but blatantly attempting to "score points" in and of itself says something about the character of the applicant that is unappealing. Maybe people would care, maybe they wouldn't - I know I would and it's something I would dock an applicant for. I interviewed a couple of gay applicants this past year who didn't disclose their sexual orientation explicitly, yet 5-10 minutes into the interview I was able to piece together the fact that they were gay just based on my discussion with them. One's experiences and life story speak for themselves. Going out of your way to highlight things that you think might get you some diversity points is painfully obvious and, in my opinion, a stupid thing to do.

So everyone who mentions being gay is just trying to score some diversity points? What about in secondary questions that ask about diversity, do you think the topic should be avoided there too? I am just curious of your opinion because I outed myself in a half sentence in one of my most meaningful essays simply because it was a critical reason why the activity was most meaningful.

 

[NickNaylor]

So everyone who mentions being gay is just trying to score some diversity points? What about in secondary questions that ask about diversity, do you think the topic should be avoided there too? I am just curious of your opinion because I outed myself in a half sentence in one of my most meaningful essays simply because it was a critical reason why the activity was most meaningful.

That's not at all what I said. I think that it's perfectly appropriate to mention this information when it adds something substantive to your application. But there should be a reason for including information in your medical school application. The thoughts in my previous post were based on the condition that there was no real reason for including that information except in the hopes that being gay might score you those diversity points.

 

[SpecterGT260]

Probably true, but blatantly attempting to "score points" in and of itself says something about the character of the applicant that is unappealing. Maybe people would care, maybe they wouldn't - I know I would and it's something I would dock an applicant for. I interviewed a couple of gay applicants this past year who didn't disclose their sexual orientation explicitly, yet 5-10 minutes into the interview I was able to piece together the fact that they were gay just based on my discussion with them. One's experiences and life story speak for themselves. Going out of your way to highlight things that you think might get you some diversity points is painfully obvious and, in my opinion, a stupid thing to do.

Many schools have a face value "how diverse are you" secondary essay.... while I agree with your sentiments I would wager that on a broad scale it will help more than hurt.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using SDN Mobile

 

[NickNaylor]

Many schools have a face value "how diverse are you" secondary essay.... while I agree with your sentiments I would wager that on a broad scale it will help more than hurt.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using SDN Mobile

Again, perfectly appropriate place to mention this if you feel being gay would contribute to the diversity of your class.

 

[NatrixCaelicola]

That's not at all what I said. I think that it's perfectly appropriate to mention this information when it adds something substantive to your application. But there should be a reason for including information in your medical school application. The thoughts in my previous post were based on the condition that there was no real reason for including that information except in the hopes that being gay might score you those diversity points.

Yeah, but this should be advice for ANY diversity... Just as some people might say "I'm gay, accept me" people might say "I'm black, accept me."

I would say that the general advice for any diversity is to actually have a good reason to HOW it makes you diverse (other than face value) and WHY this needs to be added to their class. The whole point to increasing diversity is to increase viewpoints and have a more full representation of the society (at least this is what I've understood).

My gay part of the essay spoke about how gays are underrepresented in medicine and through my experiences doctors are atrocious with interacting with those that are different from themselves. I also said that I had an amazing straight doctor. The point to the essay is that by me being gay, I can help my future classmates understand the more proper way to interact with a gay (aka don't assume they all have aids and don't assume they all have the same risk to get HIV, stuff that isn't true). Also, to simply not assume that everyone is straight. More importantly, my experiences have taught me what it's like to be judged and how to form a relationship with someone without doing the same myself.

 

[NickNaylor]

Yeah, but this should be advice for ANY diversity... Just as some people might say "I'm gay, accept me" people might say "I'm black, accept me."

I would say that the general advice for any diversity is to actually have a good reason to HOW it makes you diverse (other than face value) and WHY this needs to be added to their class. The whole point to increasing diversity is to increase viewpoints and have a more full representation of the society (at least this is what I've understood).

My gay part of the essay spoke about how gays are underrepresented in medicine and through my experiences doctors are atrocious with interacting with those that are different from themselves. I also said that I had an amazing straight doctor. The point to the essay is that by me being gay, I can help my future classmates understand the more proper way to interact with a gay (aka don't assume they all have aids and don't assume they all have the same risk to get HIV, stuff that isn't true). Also, to simply not assume that everyone is straight. More importantly, my experiences have taught me what it's like to be judged and how to form a relationship with someone without doing the same myself.

Totally agree with you (I apologize if I came across as attacking "gayness" specifically - I intended this advice to be applicable to all application-related things).

 

[LRAccord624]

Thanks for your support. Personally I also feel 34 is low for top MSTP programs (should be good for MD). I have a friend with 41/4.0 who gets rejected by Harvard😱 The competitiveness is always relative. There are so many people, and there are so few spots.

'

I think you should consider applying to your state schools, especially if you are dead set on MSTP. You aren't giving yourself a realistic chance of getting into medical school with the list you've compiled thus far.

Baylor, UTH and UTSW are all located in metropolitan cities (ie. Dallas and Houston) that are very gay friendly. You should also consider UTMB and UTHSCSA. Then apply to all the top 20, ivy league, etc schools you want. Go where you get in and feel most comfortable.

 

[SnowyRox]

Philadelphia tends to be very gay-friendly, especially around UPenn. Definitely add it to your list!

 

[tantacles]

I don't see how he's grasping at straws....or strings.

Different people are pushed/inspired/turned on to their careers of choice for different reasons. Maybe he sees himself as meeting the LGBT community's needs in the future. Also, who's to say that med schools don't care about this kind of thing? My guess is that many probably do.

They do. Cooper and Yale, for example, actively recruit gay students.

OP, I didn't mention my sexual orientation in my primary, but at my interviews for the two schools I got into, my sexual orientation came up, mainly relating to the location; I'm really averse to going to school south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Notably, though, at Meharry (Nashville), I disclosed and was ultimately accepted.

My advice is that you not include it in your personal statement unless it is your #1 reason for pursuing medicine as all schools may not care, but if there's a question about diversity on a secondary, bring it up. Diversity of all kinds is wanted in medical school these days, including people with many different sexual orientations.

Yeah, but this should be advice for ANY diversity... Just as some people might say "I'm gay, accept me" people might say "I'm black, accept me."

I would say that the general advice for any diversity is to actually have a good reason to HOW it makes you diverse (other than face value) and WHY this needs to be added to their class. The whole point to increasing diversity is to increase viewpoints and have a more full representation of the society (at least this is what I've understood).

My gay part of the essay spoke about how gays are underrepresented in medicine and through my experiences doctors are atrocious with interacting with those that are different from themselves. I also said that I had an amazing straight doctor. The point to the essay is that by me being gay, I can help my future classmates understand the more proper way to interact with a gay (aka don't assume they all have aids and don't assume they all have the same risk to get HIV, stuff that isn't true). Also, to simply not assume that everyone is straight. More importantly, my experiences have taught me what it's like to be judged and how to form a relationship with someone without doing the same myself.

In addition, I want to highlight this post, which gives a good idea of how to approach the topic. If you're going to mention it and have it add to your application positively, you're going to have to talk about why being gay might give you more insight not only into the lives of gay people, but into the lives of just about everyone. And believe me - most of the discrimination that gay people face is mirrored in many different communities; being part of a minority that is continually discriminated against sucks, but it also can build character and provide invaluable perspective.

 

[BA11]

Don't apply to the South. Even though universities are pretty accepting, the locals won't be.

I hate this bull****. The only difference between the north and the south in terms of gay "acceptance" are the percentages of homosexual populations. More gay people doesn't equal more heterosexual acceptance. New England catholics, midwestern protestants and western mormons are just as "anti-gay" as southern protestants. Unless you're going to school in northern California or Oregon you're going to get the "Oh..." comments and looks when people find out you're gay, which is about as "anti-gay" as most peopel publically get these days.

It's like people think we go out queer rolling and hold weekly lynchings down here. I have a good friend who is gay. The guy grew up in freaking Waco and went to school at Baylor without so much as a single "LOL you're a f@g" moment. It isn't 1960 anymore, people screaming that you're going to hell on the sidewalk as you pass isnt some everyday occurence anywhere in this country.

Cue Fred Phelps picks and other meaningless garbage from fringe idiots to try and illustrate a stereotypical view of a place most ywho hold it have never been to.

 

[LittleMonster]

A few quick suggestions/opinions:

I saw someone on here mentioned that The Ohio State University was particularly gay friendly. As a member of the LGBT community currently at OSU, yes there is a gay community, but it is not the best out there (as compared to other areas). A decent chunk of my friends have been victims of hate crimes and/or harassment. That being said, it is likely better than Texas.

I found Northwestern to be very LGBT friendly 🙂

As someone who's applied as an MD/PhD, I don't think your MCAT score is high enough to be considered competitive, at least at the schools you mentioned. Also, I'd think really really hard about why you want to be an MD/phd - if it's for the full ride or because two degrees are better than one, that's the wrong motivation and you'll likely get weeded out. Just because you love and enjoy research doesn't mean you have to have a PhD to still be involved. If you want to run a research lab, then yes, get a PhD.

As for where to include LGBT on your app, you can mention it in your personal statement, but if you don't want it to be a particularly loud/central theme of your app (esp since you're not out yet), then it would be very appropriate to include it in the diversity statement a lot of the secondaries tend to have. Or you could select your aids involvement as a most meaningful experience and mention it in the context of your motivation for pursuing that activity.

 

[tantacles]

I hate this bull****. The only difference between the north and the south in terms of gay "acceptance" are the percentages of homosexual populations. More gay people doesn't equal more heterosexual acceptance. New England catholics, midwestern protestants and western mormons are just as "anti-gay" as southern protestants. Unless you're going to school in northern California or Oregon you're going to get the "Oh..." comments and looks when people find out you're gay, which is about as "anti-gay" as most peopel publically get these days.

It's like people think we go out queer rolling and hold weekly lynchings down here. I have a good friend who is gay. The guy grew up in freaking Waco and went to school at Baylor without so much as a single "LOL you're a f@g" moment.

Lucky him.

In all honesty, it's not about every student having this experience. It's about general proximity. In the Northeast, it is completely unheard of for anyone to be lynched for being gay. And I don't mean only in big cities - the suburbs are the same way.

New England Catholic Churches are often very accepting of gay people - the god loves all attitude reigns supreme here. I sang in a baptist church's choir with zero problems as well.

Things are getting better, but the South still is not a great place to be if you're gay.

 

[BA11]

In all honesty, it's not about every student having this experience. It's about general proximity. In the Northeast, it is completely unheard of for anyone to be lynched for being gay.

It's completely unheard of in the south in the lifetime of anyone who posts on this board and, for many of us, the lifetime of our parents as well.

People see the Westboro Baptist "God hate f@gs" stuff and "It's Adam and Eeve, not Adam and Steve" shirts all over the news and thinks the south is full of people like that.

I hate to be the barer of bad news, but the majority of straight people in this country still have mental "icky' block about the concept of being gay, if not for religious reasons than for the same reason anybody thinks things that are vastly different from them are weird. The difference is that these days most people keep such thoguhts to themselves and treat them with respect, but it's foolish to believe that hateful intentions towards homosexuals is still a southern staple. I've lived in Texas for 24 years and have never once personally witnessed a hate crime towards a homosexual, nothing worse than a strange look on the faces of those finding out someone was gay for the first time. I've seen far more racial issues arise than I ever will homosexual related events.

 

[NatrixCaelicola]

It's completely unheard of in the south in the lifetime of anyone who posts on this board and, for many of us, the lifetime of our parents as well.

People see the Westboro Baptist "God hate f@gs" stuff and "It's Adam and Eeve, not Adam and Steve" shirts all over the news and thinks the south is full of people like that.

I hate to be the barer of bad news, but the majority of straight people in this country still have mental "icky' block about the concept of being gay, if not for religious reasons than for the same reason anybody thinks things that are vastly different from them are weird. The difference is that these days most people keep such thoguhts to themselves and treat them with respect, but it's foolish to believe that hateful intentions towards homosexuals is still a southern staple. I've lived in Texas for 24 years and have never once personally witnessed a hate crime towards a homosexual, nothing worse than a strange look on the faces of those finding out someone was gay for the first time. I've seen far more racial issues arise than I ever will homosexual related events.

Duke, in the south, is completely accepting. And honestly, not all of Oregon is. Go outside of the Willamette valley and they fly the confederate flag and are just as discriminatory as the rest of the uneducated parts of the country. Back to the south... Duke wrote me after Amendment 1 passed to tell me that Duke has for years backed gay rights and will not be removing benefits for domestic partners. They also wanted to say that while NC voted in favor, only 30% voted in favor in Durham County (where Duke is) and 19% in Orange County (where UNC-Chapel Hill is). Also some students that went to Harvard for undergrad told me that they feel more comfortable at Duke.

Anyway, the point of this is that big cities are big cities and small towns are small towns, whether they're in the south or the north.

 

[Tots]

That's not at all what I said. I think that it's perfectly appropriate to mention this information when it adds something substantive to your application. But there should be a reason for including information in your medical school application. The thoughts in my previous post were based on the condition that there was no real reason for including that information except in the hopes that being gay might score you those diversity points.

Oops I am sorry I didn't mean to insinuate that. I was just curious of your opinions on the issue, and I realize now I probably should have phrased my question differently.

 

[ayelet]

Lucky him.

In all honesty, it's not about every student having this experience. It's about general proximity. In the Northeast, it is completely unheard of for anyone to be lynched for being gay. And I don't mean only in big cities - the suburbs are the same way.

New England Catholic Churches are often very accepting of gay people - the god loves all attitude reigns supreme here. I sang in a baptist church's choir with zero problems as well.

Things are getting better, but the South still is not a great place to be if you're gay.

It's funny how Prop 8 passed in California, and yet it still has a reputation for being progressive while NC passes amendment one and it must be because we're all bigots.

To the OP, Durham is actually a very progressive area. I've marched in many pride parades as an ally and have a gay family member who has dealt with absolutely zero harassment here. My parents go to a Baptist Church that actively recruits gay members and performs gay marriage ceremonies. Ditto for my synagogue.

Addutionally, Duke has a very active LGBT community, and I think you would feel welcome there if you were admitted. Don't let stereotypes of the south scare you off- there are many progressive areas here.

 

[ayelet]

Duke, in the south, is completely accepting. And honestly, not all of Oregon is. Go outside of the Willamette valley and they fly the confederate flag and are just as discriminatory as the rest of the uneducated parts of the country. Back to the south... Duke wrote me after Amendment 1 passed to tell me that Duke has for years backed gay rights and will not be removing benefits for domestic partners. They also wanted to say that while NC voted in favor, only 30% voted in favor in Durham County (where Duke is) and 20% in Wake County (where UNC-Chapel Hill is). Also some students that went to Harvard for undergrad told me that they feel more comfortable at Duke.

Anyway, the point of this is that big cities are big cities and small towns are small towns, whether they're in the south or the north.

UNC- Chapel Hill is in Orange County- 79% were against amendment one

 

[BA11]

Duke, in the south, is completely accepting. And honestly, not all of Oregon is. Go outside of the Willamette valley and they fly the confederate flag and are just as discriminatory as the rest of the uneducated parts of the country. Back to the south... Duke wrote me after Amendment 1 passed to tell me that Duke has for years backed gay rights and will not be removing benefits for domestic partners. They also wanted to say that while NC voted in favor, only 30% voted in favor in Durham County (where Duke is) and 20% in Wake County (where UNC-Chapel Hill is). Also some students that went to Harvard for undergrad told me that they feel more comfortable at Duke.

Anyway, the point of this is that big cities are big cities and small towns are small towns, whether they're in the south or the north.

UT-Austin is as "gay friendly" as a school gets these days (Pretty sure they have the largest GLBT campus group in the country) and pride parades and gay functions are a staple of the Austin social scene. Even schools like Tech and A&M, with much more conservastive religious atmospheres, have huge GLBT groups though a lot less fanfare and public noteriety. Still, I went to A&M and never saw anything I particuarly offensive or noteworthy on that front.

 

[deleted103644]

I hate this bull****. The only difference between the north and the south in terms of gay "acceptance" are the percentages of homosexual populations. More gay people doesn't equal more heterosexual acceptance. New England catholics, midwestern protestants and western mormons are just as "anti-gay" as southern protestants. Unless you're going to school in northern California or Oregon you're going to get the "Oh..." comments and looks when people find out you're gay, which is about as "anti-gay" as most peopel publically get these days.

The percentages are the same, it's only the number of people who feel comfortable enough to live openly that is different.

And I don't believe I said stick to the North, I said avoid the South and stick to the coasts (of course the Midwest is more conservative).

And no one is talking about lynchings, there is plenty of room in the harassment spectrum below that. If you're denying this happens to a greater extent in the South than other regions, you're in serious denial.

There are obviously exceptions, particularly in big cities and the research triangle, but the OP wants better acceptance and for that yes he should get the hell out of the South.

 

[BA11]

If you're denying this happens to a greater extent in the South than other regions, you're in serious denial.

And are you basing this on ANYTHING other than public perception?

Think about how many hate crimes and harrassment incidents that you have personally witnessed in the south, compare that to the number of times you've been told by the media or some random person that the south is full of bigots and then sit and seriously ponder your stance on the issue.

Just because the states down here typically vote red doesn't mean we hate gay people.

 

[tantacles]

And are you basing this on ANYTHING other than public perception?

Think about how many hate crimes and harrassment incidents that you have personally witnessed in the south, compare that to the number of times you've been told by the media or some random person that the south is full of bigots and then sit and seriously ponder your stance on the issue.

Just because the states down here typically vote red doesn't mean we hate gay people.

Right. It's only the people who vote for Santorum who hate gay people. Thank god that dip**** didn't win.

 

[climbouthole]

Even schools like Tech and A&M, with much more conservastive religious atmospheres, have huge GLBT groups though a lot less fanfare and public noteriety. Still, I went to A&M and never saw anything I particuarly offensive or noteworthy on that front.

Agreed. I'm familiar with the environment in Lubbock (Tech) and would still be pretty appalled at anything more than ignorant individuals expressing their negative views. I would never expect any disadvantage when interacting with faculty or administration at any school, even on the most conservative campuses in Texas (Tech and A&M).

 

[BA11]

Right. It's only the people who vote for Santorum who hate gay people. Thank god that dip**** didn't win.

He's not a dip****, he simply couldn't put his personal beliefs aside for the sake of more important issues. It he had kept his mouth shut on the issue he very well could have beaten out Roney.

It's sad too, because as a fiscal conservative he's much more true to the name than Romney who'd sell out for a Diet Coke.

 

[deleted103644]

And are you basing this on ANYTHING other than public perception?

Think about how many hate crimes and harrassment incidents that you have personally witnessed in the south, compare that to the number of times you've been told by the media or some random person that the south is full of bigots and then sit and seriously ponder your stance on the issue.

Just because the states down here typically vote red doesn't mean we hate gay people.

I'm not basing this off the media. I'm basing it off of comments I have heard when I've visited the South as well as a pattern I've noticed with people from the South who went to school with me.

I'm not gay or black, but if you're saying there isn't pervasive bias against those two groups in the South you're completely oblivious. Acceptance doesn't just mean agreeing not to kill someone for their ethnicity/sexuality, and it is far less common in the South.

 

[tantacles]

He's not a dip****, he simply couldn't put his personal beliefs aside for the sake of more important issues. It he had kept his mouth shut on the issue he very well could have beaten out Roney.

It's sad too, because as a fiscal conservative he's much more true to the name than Romney who'd sell out for a Diet Coke.

No, that's exactly what he is. His personal beliefs are what make him that.

I'm not basing this off the media. I'm basing it off of comments I have heard when I've visited the South as well as a pattern I've noticed with people from the South who went to school with me.

I'm not gay or black, but if you're saying there isn't pervasive bias against those two groups in the South you're completely oblivious. Acceptance doesn't just mean agreeing not to kill someone for their ethnicity/sexuality, and it is far less common in the South.

Ditto to all of this. Let's not pretend everyone in the South would be thrilled to hear about the hiking trip John and his Husband took in the Appalachian Mountains, hiking enthusiasts or not. There is something distinctly different about the way gay people (and black people, but different topic altogether) are treated down south. My original example of lynching was clearly hyperbole; no one needs to get killed for **** to suck.

 

[NickNaylor]

Right. It's only the people who vote for Santorum who hate gay people. Thank god that dip**** didn't win.

🙄 Have you spent significant amounts of time in the south before? People from outside the south have these wildly inaccurate perceptions of the south that are laughable. If you haven't, then your perspective isn't based on reality as much as it is the perpetuated stereotype that the south is filled with racist bigots who thump their bibles and want to stop all of the baby killing.

Interestingly enough, Santorum was a SENATOR for Pennsylvania. Where does that fit in this narrative?

 

[NickNaylor]

I'm not basing this off the media. I'm basing it off of comments I have heard when I've visited the South as well as a pattern I've noticed with people from the South who went to school with me.

I'm not gay or black, but if you're saying there isn't pervasive bias against those two groups in the South you're completely oblivious. Acceptance doesn't just mean agreeing not to kill someone for their ethnicity/sexuality, and it is far less common in the South.

I was born and raised in the south, went to a highly conservative school for undergrad, and I can say quite confidently that racism in Chicago is more obvious and prevalent than any racism I've ever seen in the south.

 

[tantacles]

🙄 Have you spent significant amounts of time in the south before? People from outside the south have these wildly inaccurate perceptions of the south that are laughable. If you haven't, then your perspective isn't based on reality as much as it is the perpetuated stereotype that the south is filled with racist bigots who thump their bibles and want to stop all of the baby killing.

Interestingly enough, Santorum was a SENATOR for Pennsylvania. Where does that fit in this narrative?

Actually, my mom is from North Carolina. We spent a lot of time in Fayetteville visiting my grandmother, which of course is not representative of any big city; I'm aware that those are much more liveable. Suffice it to say that while I've never been scared for my life, I won't be back any time soon.

Also, I'm hardly maligning all people in the South. There are a host of wonderful, accepting, and understanding people in the South who don't give a **** about anyone's sexual orientation (as well they shouldn't unless they're lookin' for looooooove). They are probably very quickly becoming, if they aren't already, the majority. In one or two generations, they will likely be the vast majority.

And insofar as Santorum's senatorial tenure goes, I'd group it in with Romney's tenure in MA - a lapse of judgment.

 

[BA11]

I'm not basing this off the media. I'm basing it off of comments I have heard when I've visited the South as well as a pattern I've noticed with people from the South who went to school with me.

I'm not gay or black, but if you're saying there isn't pervasive bias against those two groups in the South you're completely oblivious. Acceptance doesn't just mean agreeing not to kill someone for their ethnicity/sexuality, and it is far less common in the South.

People in the south hold views of those in the north and on the coasts which are, on the whole, almost certainly inaccurate though I don't pretend to know because I've neve spent sustained time in those areas. If you live in California, you sit around smoking pot all day and wondering how best to turn America into a socialist state. If you live in new York, you're either mugging or being mugged at every street corner. I assume both are wild exaggerations.

I have however lived in the south my whole life and CAN speak intelligently and accurately about the state of affairs here. The racial tension exists primarily in the form of gang activity in large urban areas, something that is true pretty much everywhere in this country, and gay people live and work freely amongst the general population with little noticeable backlash. People always assume I don't know many gay people ebcause everyone here either elft or is in the closet (false) or that those I do know must have horrifying stories of abuse and harrassment (also false). Literally the worst thing I have ever seen or had someone tell me about was a drunken fight that one of my friends got into outside a Whataburger because some idiot (oddly enough a black guy, given the context of this discussion) called him a f@g.

This idea that it's nothing but racist, wueer hating small towns is simply absurd.

 

[deleted103644]

I was born and raised in the south, went to a highly conservative school for undergrad, and I can say quite confidently that racism in Chicago is more obvious and prevalent than any racism I've ever seen in the south.

Have I at any point said that the Midwest is significantly better? And Santorum's base as a Senator was Western Pennsylvania, which is more Midwest than East Coast.

The OP is looking for acceptance, and for that he really needs to stick to the coasts north of the Mason-Dixon line.

 

[deleted103644]

People in the south hold views of those in the north and on the coasts which are, on the whole, almost certainly inaccurate though I don't pretend to know because I've neve spent sustained time in those areas. If you live in California, you sit around smoking pot all day and wondering how best to turn America into a socialist state. If you live in new York, you're either mugging or being mugged at every street corner. I assume both are wild exaggerations.

100% accurate. The socialist state part is silly since we've been socialist since FDR.

As for people from NYC, I only mug tourists, but that's mainly because they walk to f***ing slowly.

 

[NickNaylor]

Have I at any point said that the Midwest is significantly better? And Santorum's base as a Senator was Western Pennsylvania, which is more Midwest than East Coast.

The OP is looking for acceptance, an for that he really needs to stick to the coasts north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Your only "experience" is based on people that you've talked to. Your perspective of what the south is like - including LGBT life here - has almost no basis in reality. While you are certainly entitled to your opinion, it should be candidly qualified so that people that might actually read and listen to your advice know that it's worth very little.

 

[deleted103644]

This idea that it's nothing but racist, wueer hating small towns is simply absurd.

Did I ever say it was nothing but that? No, just that there's a lot more of that there.

To be honest, you're probably desensitized to some of it since you've never lived anywhere else.

 

[deleted103644]

Your only "experience" is based on people that you've talked to. Your perspective of what the south is like - including LGBT life here - has almost no basis in reality. While you are certainly entitled to your opinion, it should be candidly qualified so that people that might actually read and listen to your advice know that it's worth very little.

???

I have a lot of family in the South and visit regularly.

More to the point, the OP stated he was uncomfortable in Texas due to these reasons, and in many ways Texas would be more accepting than a lot of the rest of the South.

I'm not denying there are accepting people in the South, just saying that if you're playing a numbers game, they're less common.

 

[NickNaylor]

???

I have a lot of family in the South and visit regularly.

More to the point, the OP stated he was uncomfortable in Texas due to these reasons, and in many ways Texas would be more accepting than a lot of the rest of the South.

I'm not denying there are good and accepting people in the South, just saying that if you're playing a numbers game, they're less common.

I would agree with you there, however that's certainly not the picture you were painting in your previous posts.

 

[BA11]

No, that's exactly what he is. His personal beliefs are what make him that.

He's very intelligent, which excludes him being labeled a dip**** IMO. If he believes being gay is morally corrupt that is his perogative. My problem is that he made that a staple of his campaign, which was a woeful mistake.

I don't care if people believe being gay is wrong so long as they treat them with respect and dignity. I just don't want the issue of homosexuality to drive our elections in a time of financial and procedural crisis.

Ditto to all of this. Let's not pretend everyone in the South would be thrilled to hear about the hiking trip John and his Husband took in the Appalachian Mountains, hiking enthusiasts or not. There is something distinctly different about the way gay people (and black people, but different topic altogether) are treated down south. My original example of lynching was clearly hyperbole; no one needs to get killed for **** to suck.

I think you'd be surprised.

 

[BA11]

100% accurate. The socialist state part is silly since we've been socialist since FDR.

As for people from NYC, I only mug tourists, but that's mainly because they walk to f***ing slowly.

Touche

 

[keys4]

OP: You say you live in Texas. Did you ever hear of Leslie Cochran - the Austin icon? He passed away recently and was mourned by many. Austin also had a lesbian sheriff, and another lesbian on the city council. Two openly gay men are currently serving on the Fort Worth city council and school board. Yes, Fort Worth!! There are plenty of other examples. Texas is very different from "the South". Please don't generalize.

 

[plumhill]

What about Brown and Dartmouth?

 

[deleted103644]

What about Brown and Dartmouth?

Brown is fine.

Dartmouth, doesn't really matter what your orientation is since all you'd have available would be livestock anyway.

 

[SnowyRox]

This thread took a hilarious turn since I posted earlier...

The Deep South =/= New England =/= Pacific NorthWest =/= Midwest, etc., etc., etc.

I agree with the sentiment to live north of the Mason-Dixon line on the coasts if you want the most acceptance. It's not about not getting openly harassed or mocked. It's about two men being able to walk down the street lovingly holding hands. Or two women feeling comfortable kissing on a park bench. Most of the country is tolerant of gay people, but not all of it is accepting.

Very few people posting on this forum have spent several years as an adult living in every part of this country. Yes, the media exaggerates the issues present in the South (hint: they do that everywhere), but that doesn't mean there isn't a grain of truth. Defend the south all you want, NickNaylor, but you can't convince me rural Georgia is as accepting as NYc ;-).

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

+1. Asians aren't even the most represented in medicine, yet have the hardest time getting in. Likewise AA aren't the least represented, but have the easiest time getting in.

For better or for worse, that's the system we live in.

+2 super annoying

 

[Revolver1045]

I second the Penn. comment above. I was in Philadelphia this summer interning at Thomas Jefferson and one of the residents in lab was gay and no one seemed to mind. We all got along great with him. Also, Thomas Jefferson is almost, if not inside, the "gayborhood" of Philadelphia. I thought it was a great school and would consider applying there if I were you.

 

[HulaHippos]

So I know that UW-Madison isn't super OOS-friendly but Madison is a very liberal city and we have a great LGBT community. I went to undergrad here too and our LGBT club is huge and is so supported by students

 

[NightGod]

I was born and raised in the south, went to a highly conservative school for undergrad, and I can say quite confidently that racism in Chicago is more obvious and prevalent than any racism I've ever seen in the south.

Sadly, I believe that is because of the problems that existed in the Cabrini Green area decades ago-some *****s just can't let things go (doubly pathetic when you realize Cabrini Green is long since gentrified and turned into million dollar condos). Though, to be fair, my best friend got mugged in exactly the area I told him not to stop for gas due to it's reputation for gang activity, so not all of the racial tension is completely unfounded. That said, my friend did say the mugger was very polite for someone holding a .38 to his stomach.

Though, on the gay rights side, it's one of the few bright points in this otherwise miserable state. Chicago, especially, has a very active gay community. We're not quite to the legalized gay marriage stage just yet, but we at least recognize domestic partnerships and even at the small down college I attended they had an active Gay-Straight Alliance and active participation in the Day of Silence events, so it's not as bad as some people may think just because we're in the Midwest.

 

[NightGod]

So I know that UW-Madison isn't super OOS-friendly but Madison is a very liberal city and we have a great LGBT community. I went to undergrad here too and our LGBT club is huge and is so supported by students

This has been true for a long time in Madison. Even when I was there back in the early 90s, the 10% Society was one of the most active groups on campus and you would see gay couples openly walking down the street hand in hand and making out on State Street next to straight couples-the only people who ever tried to give them grief were the street preachers who usually gave up after passers-by shouted them down. At the time, they were the only community besides San Francisco that gave legal recognition to domestic partnership arrangements.

 

[wolfie77]

I was born and raised in the south, went to a highly conservative school for undergrad, and I can say quite confidently that racism in Chicago is more obvious and prevalent than any racism I've ever seen in the south.

Examples?

I'm not insinuating you're lying or exaggerating. I'm curious what kinds of things you've witnessed on the Southside.