LGBT friendly schools?

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Santana90

Santana90

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Hi guys, can you guys help me compile a list of schools that are friendly or even favor LGBT applicants?

I'll start the list with fabulous UCSF 😉

Thanks!

Edit: Just MD schools please. No DO or chiropractic schools allowed
 
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University of Vermont! They have one of the most (if not the most?) LGBTQI Health courses for medical students and a really active campus advocacy program.
 
SN12357 said:
Diversity.
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I mean couldn't you say that about absolutely anything?

I can see the value of being around a group of people who are very different but idk. It makes sense is some ways and it makes no sense in some ways. I don't think I'm qualified or knowledgeable enough to give a forceful opinion on this though.
 
LizzyM said:
Because LGBTQI patients need doctors who are interested in their issues and who better than LGBTQI physicians.... the same reason why given the choice, most women prefer female OB/GYNs.
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Well non-LGBTQ doctors can still be interested in LGBTQ issues...in which case the interest should be favored. But I do see your point about LGBTQ patients preferring LGBTQ doctors and that makes sense to me.
 
BeancheBlanco said:
Well non-LGBTQ doctors can still be interested in LGBTQ issues...in which case the interest should be favored. But I do see your point about LGBTQ patients preferring LGBTQ doctors and that makes sense to me.
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LGBTQI students provide a needed perspective; we are a minority that has been classically marginalized by medicine. I'm not sure if you've ever been in a hospital with a stigma against LGBTQI people (or even that someone who isn't LGBTQI would notice in many cases), but it's hostile, and by getting more LGBTQI people in, we can provide a viewpoint that might change people's mind and make them more able to serve that population.

OP, Rosalind Franklin (Chicago Medical School) has, in my experience, been extremely LGBT friendly.
 
Penn's LGBT scene is probably among the biggest in the country.
 
Penn is particularly embracing of the LGBT population, in small part due to the large LGBT population of Philadelphia that they serve. We also have many prominent members of our faculty who are LGBT as well as deeply involved with the community.
 
tantacles said:
LGBTQI students provide a needed perspective; we are a minority that has been classically marginalized by medicine. I'm not sure if you've ever been in a hospital with a stigma against LGBTQI people (or even that someone who isn't LGBTQI would notice in many cases), but it's hostile, and by getting more LGBTQI people in, we can provide a viewpoint that might change people's mind and make them more able to serve that population.

OP, Rosalind Franklin (Chicago Medical School) has, in my experience, been extremely LGBT friendly.
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I tend to look at things out of context which was why I was initially skeptical. Thanks for the info and I would add that having knowledge about LGBTQ issues and working with LGBTQ community should be looked at favorably as well.

EDIT: This might not be the right thread for this but maybe you can shed some light for me. One of the reasons I was skeptical of using sexuality as an evaluation criterion is that sexuality is so fluid and a spectrum. If I identify as heterosexual but I am a man who has sex with men, how would that be looked upon? What if I identify as gay but I am a man who has sex with women. What if I am a biological man who has sex with women but I identify as a woman. What if you are biologically male, identify as a male, have sex with women, but express yourself as a female? Would all of these qualify you as "LGBTQ"? That's not even taking into account the fluidity of all these preferences/identities.

That's why I think it's more important to use knowledge, sensitivity, and experience with these issues over actually being "LGBTQ". Genuinely interested in your thoughts and not trying to be an dingus.
 
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BeancheBlanco said:
I tend to look at things out of context which was why I was initially skeptical. Thanks for the info and I would add that having knowledge about LGBTQ issues and working with LGBTQ community should be looked at favorably as well.
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I agree completely, and cisgendered straight allies are awesome. However, from a diversity standpoint, straight allies don't actually have to assail the same obstacles that LGBTQI people do. They can certainly help to combat them, but as I mentioned before, many of those obstacles simply aren't apparent to people who don't fall under that umbrella. As a gay male, I don't know 3/4 of the [medical] issues trans patients face, and that's partly just due to a need for more LGBTQI education at my medical school but also due to my inability to observe firsthand their struggles on a regular basis.
 
BeancheBlanco said:
I tend to look at things out of context which was why I was initially skeptical. Thanks for the info and I would add that having knowledge about LGBTQ issues and working with LGBTQ community should be looked at favorably as well.

EDIT: This might not be the right thread for this but maybe you can shed some light for me. One of the reasons I was skeptical of using sexuality as an evaluation criterion is that sexuality is so fluid and a spectrum. If I identify as heterosexual but I am a man who has sex with men, how would that be looked upon? What if I identify as gay but I am a man who has sex with women. What if I am a biological man who has sex with women but I identify as a woman. What if you are biologically male, identify as a male, have sex with women, but express yourself as a female? Would all of these qualify you as "LGBTQ"? That's not even taking into account the fluidity of all these preferences/identities.

That's why I think it's more important to use knowledge, sensitivity, and experience with these issues over actually being "LGBTQ". Genuinely interested in your thoughts and not trying to be an dingus.
Click to expand...

Your personal identification is what matters. If you identify as bisexual and you're a man who typically only has sex with women, great! You're under the LGBTQI umbrella. But keep in mind that putting that out there opens yourself up to a lot of questions about the issues related to activism and LGBTQI issues, so if you're not well-versed OR you're just lying, you can end up looking like an idiot. AND if you're not out in your community and you plan not to be out at medical school, you typically don't experience those issues through the same lens.
 
BeancheBlanco said:
Well non-LGBTQ doctors can still be interested in LGBTQ issues...in which case the interest should be favored. But I do see your point about LGBTQ patients preferring LGBTQ doctors and that makes sense to me.
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Just like white male doctors cared so much about minority and women issues. Try looking at reality and history first. This is exactly why we need more non-science major physicians.
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
Just like white male doctors cared so much about minority and women issues. Try looking at reality and history first. This is exactly why we need more non-science major physicians.
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Let's not make this into an inflammatory discussion. There ARE, in fact, many white male doctors who care about women's issues, so I don't think it's great to paint a picture that vilifies anyone.
 
I think it is important to note that OP has previously expressed his intent to pretend to be gay for his next application cycle. He is unhappy with being classified as ORM and believes he deserves a spot in med school. I appreciate everyone's responses, but just be aware that OP's intents are not pure, and are actually very offensive.

@touchpause13 can you put him in his place or something?

EDIT: here's his quote from another thread. Pro tip- he's the "friend"

"After talking extensively to my friend, he has realized how stupid his idea was, but thanks to some of the clever posters in this thread, he has decided to pretend to be gay in the upcoming cycle. He expects that this may be frowned upon by some institutions, but he foresees a good upside in this new plan in more liberal schools such as the ones in California (fabulous UCSF)."
 
Chipster. said:
I think it is important to note that OP has previously expressed his intent to pretend to be gay for his next application cycle. He is unhappy with being classified as ORM and believes he deserves a spot in med school. I appreciate everyone's responses, but just be aware that OP's intents are not pure, and are actually very offensive.

@touchpause13 can you put him in his place or something?

EDIT: here's his quote from another thread. Pro tip- he's the "friend"

"After talking extensively to my friend, he has realized how stupid his idea was, but thanks to some of the clever posters in this thread, he has decided to pretend to be gay in the upcoming cycle. He expects that this may be frowned upon by some institutions, but he foresees a good upside in this new plan in more liberal schools such as the ones in California (fabulous UCSF)."
Click to expand...

Would it be offensive to say that his "friend" might not like the LGBT pre-interview reception? Or does he plan to fake it until he makes it?
 
tantacles said:
Your personal identification is what matters. If you identify as bisexual and you're a man who typically only has sex with women, great! You're under the LGBTQI umbrella. But keep in mind that putting that out there opens yourself up to a lot of questions about the issues related to activism and LGBTQI issues, so if you're not well-versed OR you're just lying, you can end up looking like an idiot.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Well I'm glad to hear that you have to know about LGBTQ issues in addition to being LGBTQ in order to gain some kind of advantage. The OP's situation (along with ignorant/naive people who identify as LGBTQ) is the exact reason I was initially skeptical.

AlbinoHawk DO said:
Just like white male doctors cared so much about minority and women issues. Try looking at reality and history first. This is exactly why we need more non-science major physicians.
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I didn't say all or most or any white male doctors care about minority and women issues. I said that ANY person who DOES care about those issues should be looked at favorably. Also, I think you should be more inclusive of science majors 🙂
 
tantacles said:
Let's not make this into an inflammatory discussion. There ARE, in fact, many white male doctors who care about women's issues, so I don't think it's great to paint a picture that vilifies anyone.
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Not trying to flame or suggest all white male doctors don't care about issues. However, reality shows that until the explosion of women and minorities in medicine that issues relevant to them got real attention. In sum, I'm saying the white male interested in minority and women issues has been tried and shown to fail.
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
Not trying to flame or suggest all white male doctors don't care about issues. However, reality shows that until the explosion of women and minorities in medicine that issues relevant to them got real attention. In sum, I'm saying the white male interested in minority and women issues has been tried and shown to fail.
Click to expand...

It's ironic how generalizing and uninclusive you are being. Just because you are saying it about white males doesn't make it OK.
 
LizzyM said:
Because LGBTQI patients need doctors who are interested in their issues and who better than LGBTQI physicians.... the same reason why given the choice, most women prefer female OB/GYNs.
Click to expand...

As devil's advocate... let's say we are fine with a LGBTQI patient wanting to switch from the patient's current physician to a LGBTQI one. In addition, we are fine with a woman switching from a male physician to a female one. Alsooooo, we think its maybe okay for a black patient to switch from a white physician to a black one. I know I am putting words in your mouth (words at your fingers?), but is the reverse also fine?

Can a non-LGBTQI patient request to be switched from a LGBTQI physician because that physician is LGBTQI? Can a male patient ask to not have a female physician because she is female? I understand that these situations build on current and past discrimination issues, but I'd be curious to see how that would play out.
 
boomshaketheroom said:
As devil's advocate... let's say we are fine with a LGBTQI patient wanting to switch from the patient's current physician to a LGBTQI one. In addition, we are fine with a woman switching from a male physician to a female one. Alsooooo, we think its maybe okay for a black patient to switch from a white physician to a black one. I know I am putting words in your mouth (words at your fingers?), but is the reverse also fine?

Can a non-LGBTQI patient request to be switched from a LGBTQI physician because that physician is LGBTQI? Can a male patient ask to not have a female physician because she is female? I understand that these situations build on current and past discrimination issues, but I'd be curious to see how that would play out.
Click to expand...

It depends on context, right? LGBTQI patients generally don't switch to LGBTQI doctors because we are bigoted (as far as I know lol?). We do it because we want a physician with that area of expertise. With the same logic, if a male wanted a male doctor because they're more comfortable interacting with males, I wouldn't hold that against him.
 
boomshaketheroom said:
As devil's advocate... let's say we are fine with a LGBTQI patient wanting to switch from the patient's current physician to a LGBTQI one. In addition, we are fine with a woman switching from a male physician to a female one. Alsooooo, we think its maybe okay for a black patient to switch from a white physician to a black one. I know I am putting words in your mouth (words at your fingers?), but is the reverse also fine?

Can a non-LGBTQI patient request to be switched from a LGBTQI physician because that physician is LGBTQI? Can a male patient ask to not have a female physician because she is female? I understand that these situations build on current and past discrimination issues, but I'd be curious to see how that would play out.
Click to expand...
My sole experience with this was when I was working in clinical research attached to a clinic setting. If a patient asked to be switched from the one African-American physician in the practice to a white physician, the patient would be told to find another practice because the physicians took call for one another and shared the care of patients admitted to the hospital and there was no way to assure that the black physician would not end up caring for the patient. The managing physician had no time or sympathy for racists. I don't know what proportion of patients accepted the situation and what proportion moved on.
 
boomshaketheroom said:
Honestly didnt know that, I kinda assumed switching BECAUSE a doctor is black would be frowned upon. Luckily it never came up in an interview!
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I mean, it would make you look like a racist prick, but a doctor is providing a service. You can always ask for a new one. I don't think you even need to give a reason.

The difference is that there is a valid reason to ask for a doctor if you are from a marginalized population whereas I can't imagine a valid reason to ask for a doctor from an unmarginalized population.
 
LizzyM said:
My sole experience with this was when I was working in clinical research attached to a clinic setting. If a patient asked to be switched from the one African-American physician in the practice to a white physician, the patient would be told to find another practice because the physicians took call for one another and shared the care of patients admitted to the hospital and there was no way to assure that the black physician would not end up caring for the patient. The managing physician had no time or sympathy for racists. I don't know what proportion of patients accepted the situation and what proportion moved on.
Click to expand...

Its not racist if its a religious belief.... if you know what I mean.
 
Santana90 said:
Edit: Just MD schools please. No DO or chiropractic schools allowed
Click to expand...
Oh that's harsh. Comparing DOs to chiropractors is an attitude that won't serve you well in the field of medicine. Interesting that a person looking for schools that are accepting of them is quite swift in the bashing others. If you're looking for an MD degree, that's one thing and totally fine, but there's no reason to drop a dose of hate on the DO profession in saying so.

I doubt your sexual orientation will have any major impact on your application to medical school. When and if it actually does, I give it two weeks before a thread starts on SDN with tips on pretending to be gay in order to gain a leg up in admissions.
 
masaraksh said:
Its not racist if its a religious belief.... if you know what I mean.
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Is there a religion that prohibits being touched by non-believers??
I was thinking that there are some religious people who would not want to be touched by a person of the opposite sex... maybe they make an exception for health care but it might be better for all concerned if the physician and patient are the same gender.
 
LizzyM said:
Is there a religion that prohibits being touched by non-believers??
I was thinking that there are some religious people who would not want to be touched by a person of the opposite sex... maybe they make an exception for health care but it might be better for all concerned if the physician and patient are the same gender.
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Someone's not up to date with current events. It was a jab at the recent very controversial anti-gay bill in Arizona
 
Chipster. said:
I think it is important to note that OP has previously expressed his intent to pretend to be gay for his next application cycle. He is unhappy with being classified as ORM and believes he deserves a spot in med school. I appreciate everyone's responses, but just be aware that OP's intents are not pure, and are actually very offensive.
Click to expand...
Well that changes everything

It's one thing to be gay but it's another thing to also be deeply involved in the community. Adcoms don't merely just accept LGBT members simply because they consider themselves LGBT, but because they've shown a demonstrated interest in serving that population, whether it's through activism or student groups or research. Merely saying you are gay will not score you any points simply because you are gay.
 
BeancheBlanco said:
It's ironic how generalizing and uninclusive you are being. Just because you are saying it about white males doesn't make it OK.
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I'm not. If white males met the demand for minority and women issues, no conversation would need to be had. That is a fact from history. Schools didn't start recruiting women and minorities just out of some liberal sense of inclusiveness.
 
The LGBTQ population has faced and continues to face unique medical issues. The HIV crisis, which was in part due to the lack of funding towards a "gay disease" lead to a huge stigma which still impacts us today. The trans* community faces their own medical difficulties, from being misgendered by medical professionals, the huge cost barriers and stigma against them make it very difficult for them to find adequate healthcare. Young LGBTQ teens are significantly more likely to attempt or complete suicide than their straight counterparts. Same goes for homelessness.

A LGBTQ physician would by default be more versed in these issues and more sympathetic to patients who face those difficulties. Of course their straight colleagues can also be excellent allies as well.

However attempting to pretend to be a part of the community solely to gain a coveted med school spot not only is shameful, but a huge disservice to these under served patients who desperately need physicians who understand their issues.

On top of that, every out LGBTQ person in a way has a responsibility to the rest of the community. I know I am the only LGBTQ person that many of my acquaintances know. I take huge care in the way I behave and want to set an example that we are normal human beings with wants and desires like everyone else. And we deserve to be treated like everyone else. Pretending to be gay hurts patients, our community as a whole, and ultimately yourself. I say that because I know exactly what it is like to live a lie, and I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy.

*drops mic*
 
I don't believe simply being LGBTQ in it of itself gives an advantage at many, if any schools. First of all, there isn't even a mode to identify as LGBTQ at many places, except in an essay or during an interview. But in either of those contexts, the issue you should be describing has little to do with being LGBTQ or not, but how it has affected you - either as an example of adversity, development of a more encompassing perspective etc...

And for schools that do have more subtle mechanisms to identify as LGBTQ (please note, I would be shocked if any application actually asked directly about this due to discrimination laws) like by attending a morning breakfast, they are often more about the school trying to show that it is open and welcoming than about boosting their diversity scores.

Then again, I have no experience in medical school admissions.

As a bit of a side note, just because I identify as LGBTQ doesn't mean I inherently know or care more about LGBTQ issues. I have many straight friends (and not-friends), who care about these issues a lot more than I do, for whatever reason. I DO, however, have a perspective different from theirs.
 
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masaraksh said:
Someone's not up to date with current events. It was a jab at the recent very controversial anti-gay bill in Arizona
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I'm up to date, thank you very much, but that wasn't related to race and racism so I decided to take your post at face value rather than as a joke. On the other hand, there may be genuine cultural/religious proscriptions on being treated by a member of the opposite sex such that people would just prefer to be see a physician of the same gender.
 
Santana90 said:
Hi guys, can you guys help me compile a list of schools that are friendly or even favor LGBT applicants?

I'll start the list with fabulous UCSF 😉

Thanks!

Edit: Just MD schools please. No DO or chiropractic schools allowed
Click to expand...

Wow, first you put on a thread about changing your name to have a more URM-sounding name (whatever that means) and now you start a thread about pretending you're gay all for the purposes of medical school admission. You really have no shame.
 
Chipster. said:
I think it is important to note that OP has previously expressed his intent to pretend to be gay for his next application cycle. He is unhappy with being classified as ORM and believes he deserves a spot in med school. I appreciate everyone's responses, but just be aware that OP's intents are not pure, and are actually very offensive.

@touchpause13 can you put him in his place or something?

EDIT: here's his quote from another thread. Pro tip- he's the "friend"

"After talking extensively to my friend, he has realized how stupid his idea was, but thanks to some of the clever posters in this thread, he has decided to pretend to be gay in the upcoming cycle. He expects that this may be frowned upon by some institutions, but he foresees a good upside in this new plan in more liberal schools such as the ones in California (fabulous UCSF)."
Click to expand...


If this actually works out for the OP, I will completely lose faith in humanity and medicine...
 
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BeancheBlanco said:
I mean, it would make you look like a racist prick, but a doctor is providing a service. You can always ask for a new one. I don't think you even need to give a reason.

The difference is that there is a valid reason to ask for a doctor if you are from a marginalized population whereas I can't imagine a valid reason to ask for a doctor from an unmarginalized population.
Click to expand...

Nice to know that's how you rationalize it.
 
Please stop all the judgment and criticism. *GROUPHUG* I have been straight for most of my life but recently realized I'm not several weeks ago. Since then, I have joined my schools LGBT club and even a gay dating site. I plan to continue to immerse myself in this community and I might even go with my club to the parade in sf.

Anyways, thank you for all the contributors so far. You guys are fab

Vermont
UCSF
Penn
Rosalind Franklin
 
Mad Jack said:
Oh that's harsh. Comparing DOs to chiropractors is an attitude that won't serve you well in the field of medicine. Interesting that a person looking for schools that are accepting of them is quite swift in the bashing others. If you're looking for an MD degree, that's one thing and totally fine, but there's no reason to drop a dose of hate on the DO profession in saying so.

I doubt your sexual orientation will have any major impact on your application to medical school. When and if it actually does, I give it two weeks before a thread starts on SDN with tips on pretending to be gay in order to gain a leg up in admissions.
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Fine..gimme DO suggestions too..I guess.....
 
1393546454149.jpg
 
Santana90 said:
Fine..gimme DO suggestions too..I guess.....
Click to expand...

I'm a bit confused. You created a thread a while ago saying you got into your top choice and were giving up a bunch of your interviews.

Is this just a list to help other people applying?
 
Santana90 said:
Please stop all the judgment and criticism. *GROUPHUG* I have been straight for most of my life but recently realized I'm not several weeks ago. Since then, I have joined my schools LGBT club and even a gay dating site. I plan to continue to immerse myself in this community and I might even go with my club to the parade in sf.

Anyways, thank you for all the contributors so far. You guys are fab

Vermont
UCSF
Penn
Rosalind Franklin
Click to expand...

how-convenient-church-lady.jpg
 
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