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Some
housing resources for Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, and Transgender Students
The On-Campus Residence
Halls
Transgender Students
Off-campus Resources
So you’re
coming to American University... Have you thought about your living
situation? On campus? Off campus? And what will your roommate be like?
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) and Ally Resource Center
recognizes that GLBT students may have some unique concerns about housing.
This sheet is designed to provide you with information and resources
as you think about your housing needs.
The
On-Campus Residence Halls
American University is committed to
providing students with safe and secure
housing. The Housing staff expects
that all students will be treated
with respect in the halls. But being
assigned an unknown roommate is worrisome
for many first year gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender students.
So here is a little information to
try and make the process easier:
• Many GLBT students find that
their roommate is very open and accepting.
• If your roommate is not so
accepting, Housing and Dining Services
staff members have been consistently
helpful on GLBT issues. If you are
having a problem with your roommate
because of GLBT issues, your Resident
Director usually will be able to help
find a solution.
• If you don’t feel comfortable
going directly to your Resident Director,
stop by and see the Coordinator of
the GLBTA Resource Center who can
help you find appropriate resources.
So
you’re still worried?
• Request to be assigned a
Resident Assistant who is particularly
knowledgeable about GLBT issues.
Resident Assistants (RA’s) are
the student staff members who supervise
each floor. While all RA’s receive
some training on GLBT issues, some
RA’s are more knowledgeable than
others. By request, we can assign
you to a floor with an RA who has
a greater level of knowledge. Simply
send us an e-mail to glbta@american.edu.
Transgender
Students
The Resource Center and Housing and
Dining Services recognize that some
transgender students may have concerns
that are not addressed by the above
resources. Housing and Dining Services
is committed to finding appropriate
housing for all students, and will
address individual needs on a case-by-case
basis. If you identify as transgender
and would like to talk about specific
housing concerns, please contact one
of the campus point people for transgender
issues:
•Sara Bendoraitis,
Director, GLBTA Resource Center, 202-885-3372
•Sara
Waldron, Associate Dean of Students,
202-885-3319
Off-campus
Resources
AU offers university housing in an
off-campus apartment building, Park
Bethesda. Park Bethesda allows students
to live in mixed gender apartments,
and allows students to live with domestic
partners who are not associated with
American University. Only American
University graduate students, law
students and undergraduates who have
taken college courses for at least
two years are qualified to lease space
in Park Bethesda as students. Check
http://www.american.edu/oss/reslife/
for more information.
Housing and Dining Services also offers
a database
of off-campus housing options.
Or check out the newspapers for classified
ads:
The Washington Blade (the local GLBT
weekly): http://www.washblade.com/
The Washington City Paper (regularly
covers GLBT issues and often has ads
specifically looking for GLBT friendly
housing situations):
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/class/classifieds.html
The Washington Post (DC’s main
newspaper):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/realestate/rent/
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