Campus Pride College Fair Comes to Massachusetts Statehouse to Recruit Out LGBT & Ally Students on Wednesday, September 30th

National fair program partners with Friends of GLBT Youth, Inc to provide state-wide outreach to youth and families

Boston, MA, Wed, September 16, 2009 -- In less than two weeks, Campus Pride (www.campuspride.org) comes to the Massachusetts Statehouse in Boston to host its national college fair, the only program in the nation for out lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally students to find LGBT-friendly colleges. The fair will take place on Wed, September 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Great Hall/Grand Staircase. The fair is in partnership with Friends of GLBT Youth, Inc based locally in Boston, MA . More information available at http://www.campusclimateindex.org/events.

There are nearly thirty colleges currently registered to attend the fair from across the country including: Babson College, Brandeis University, Brown University, Bridgewater State College, Case Western Reserve University, Columbia College Chicago, Colby-Sawyer College, Dartmouth College, Emory University, Emerson College, Goddard College, Harvard College, Haverford College, Pitzer College, Suffolk University, Susquehanna University, Trinity College, Tufts University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Maine Farmington, University of New Hampshire, University of Southern Maine, University of Vermont, University of Maine, University of Pennsylvania, Ursinus College and Yale University.

Whether you’re a public or private institution, one thing is for certain today – “more colleges and universities want to be considered ‘gay friendly, ’” said Shane Windmeyer, the executive director and founder of Campus Pride. “The question becomes whether the campus is willing to be present at a LGBT-Friendly college fair… and back up their policies with action.”

Friends of GLBT Youth agrees and partnered with the Campus Pride college fair program to provide statewide outreach in Massachusetts to youth at area high schools and through their Youth Pride network. Organizers are excited about the response from high school guidance counselors seeking more information and the anticipated turnout for the fair.

”The list of colleges only continues to grow for this upcoming fair and registration is still ongoing,” said Windmeyer. “This is our first time in Boston, but it is our third year for the Campus Pride national fair program on the East Coast . Working together with Friends of GLBT Youth has been a valuable partnership and will be key in getting a successful turnout of youth the day of the fair.”

The national college fair program is in tandem with Campus Pride’s LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index available online at http://www.campusclimateindex.org. The national index serves as a benchmark to measure LGBT-friendly policies, programs and practices and provides a free online search tool for youth and families looking at LGBT-friendliness at colleges and universities. Currenty, the index has listed over 200 colleges and universities. Any campus may take part in the index to be listed online.

In addition, the fair will also feature a special presentation titled “Finding Your LGBT-Friendly Campus” by Windmeyer, who authored The Advocate College Guide for LGBT & Ally Students, listing the “Top 100” LGBT-Friendly colleges and universities in the United States. The Trevor Project and Point Foundation will also be in attendance to share resources on college preparation and scholarships.

Campus Pride has two additional college fairs planned for 2009-10 – one in New York City on Friday, November 6, 2009 and one in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 27, 2010. Registration is currently available for interested colleges and universities wishing to participate in the upcoming fairs online at http://www.campusclimateindex.org/events.

Please note that participation is free and registration is not required for any LGBT or ally youth and their families. Any questions, please contact Campus Pride at 704-277-6710 or info@campuspride.org.

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Campus Pride is the leading national nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to give "voice and action" in building future LGBT and ally leaders. More information online at www.campuspride.org.

The Friends of GLBT Youth, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating homophobia and transphobia in order to allow all young gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people the opportunity to reach their full potential. More information online at www.friendsofglbtyouth.org.