One-of-a-kind event includes campus recruiters from popular regional colleges as well as campuses from around the country

(Portland, Ore.) – Campus Pride, the nation’s leading non-profit working with LGBT and ally student leaders and developing safer, more inclusive colleges and universities, is proud to present its LGBT-Friendly College Fair in the Oregon and the Pacific Northwest at the Q Center of Portland this Saturday, October 16. The event is in collaboration with the Q Center and is the second in a series of fairs to be held across the nation this fall and spring during Campus Pride’s fourth annual National LGBT-Friendly College Fair program.

As of this week, colleges and universities registered to participate in the fair include: Bucknell University, California Institute of Integral Studies, Carleton College, Columbia College Chicago, Everest College and Institute, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Oregon State University, Pacific Lutheran University, Point Foundation, Portland Community College, Southern Oregon University, Stop the Hate, Syracuse University, University of Oregon, Vanderbilt University, Washington State University, Washington State University Vancouver, Western Oregon University, Western Washington Univ - Fairhaven College, and Whitman College.

“Our LGBT-Friendly College Fair in Portland presents a unique opportunity for students, families and universities in the Pacific Northwest,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. “Prospective students want to attend campuses that are a welcoming and safe place to learn, live and grow. Our fair helps students find LGBT-friendly colleges, scholarships and resources.”

Last month Campus Pride released the "2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People" which for the first time ever provided comprehensive national research on the LGBT experience of students, faculty and staff across the country. The report shared that nearly a quarter of LGBT respondents indicated that they had been harassed on campus and a clear majority considered leaving their college or university as a result.

Windmeyer added, “Now more than ever LGBT students and their families are looking for colleges that take responsibility for a safe learning environment. Our college fair program showcases campuses who are LGBT-friendly and who want LGBT & ally students. It sends a clear message: ‘Gay students are welcome, even celebrated on this campus.’”

WHAT: Campus Pride LGBT-Friendly College Fair

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Q Center of Portland, 4115 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland, OR, 97217

Interviews with Campus Pride staff are available prior to and during the event. Interviews with students and college/university recruiters can be arranged at the event. To arrange interviews, please call (704) 277-6710.

Campus Pride’s 2010-2011 LGBT-Friendly National College Fair Program will also visit: New York (Nov. 5), Boston (Nov. 6), Los Angeles (April 9). More details on each event, which are free to current or prospective students, can be found at www.campusclimateindex.org/events.