from Gay Activism in the Schools

Gay And Transgender Students
Push For 'Gender Blind' Dorm Rooms

October 3, 2006 - Gay and transgender students at The College of William and Mary are pushing for gender blind dorm rooms. The student Senate has passed a bill calling upon the administration to permit males and females to live in the same room next year.

According to The Virginian Pilot (10-02-2006), "The impetus came not from boyfriend-girlfriend couples but from gay students who complained about uncomfortable experiences living with same-sex roommates, student senator Zach Pilchen said." Pilchen noted that students of different genders already study, eat and participate in campus activities together.

Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania has permitted men and women to share about 20% of its dorm rooms for at least four years. Gay and transgender students pushed for the arrangement, according to Myrt Westphal, associate dean for student life. College officials recommended against roommates having romantic entanglements, but the school took the stand that it's the student's choice, not the parents.

Additional Reading: Gay Activism in the Schools.