Building on Mason’s Pride Week in March when the campus is full, the university is also participating in June events around Virginia and spotlighting the on-going resources that help create a welcoming campus climate -- keeping George Mason at the top of the Campus Pride Index.
News, Events and Announcements
LGBTQ+ Student Showcase: Call for Abstracts
In Fall 2024, The LGBTQ+ Resources Center, Graduate Student Life, and Women and Gender Studies are sponsoring Mason’s second annual LGBTQ+ Student Showcase! This one-day showcase event will spotlight Mason’s graduate and undergraduate students’ outstanding scholarly, research, and creative works through posters, oral presentations, and creative, visual, and performing arts that highlights the work done by LGBTQ+ identifying students at Mason. It will also feature a Keynote Luncheon with a speaker from our local community.
The final deadline for presenters to submit their abstracts electronically is July 17, 2024, at 5pm | Submit Your Proposal
LGBTQ+ Student Showcase | October 7th, 2024 | Merten Hall | Register to Attend
Safe Zone+ Program
The LGBTQ+ Residential Learning Community will, for the first time, participate in Virginia PrideFest in Richmond in September. And the Safe Zone+ workshops that have been available at Mason Korea for three years will now have facilitators trained from within the Mason Korea community.
Campus News
- August 1, 2024
- May 31, 2024
- April 8, 2024
- January 5, 2024
- August 31, 2023
Rankings and Recognitions
Student Health Services’ designation for LGBTQ+ health care practices is the latest recognition of George Mason’s inclusive campus environment
Learn more about this designation.
Mason is ‘best of the best’ for LGBTQ+ students
Mason is one of only 45 universities in the U.S. to be recognized as a five-star premier campus by the Campus Pride Index, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safer LGBTQ-friendly learning environments at universities.
George Mason University is the top-ranked university in Virginia, and No. 7 nationally, for LGBTQ+ students, according to Best Colleges
The ranking adds to Mason’s reputation for inclusivity and accessibility that was spotlighted by a five-star premier rating from the Campus Pride Index, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safe LGBTQ+-friendly environments at colleges and universities.
Best Online LGBTQ-Friendly Schools Of 2024
Forbes names George Mason University as #1 in its LGBTQ+ friendly colleges. Read what they say about GMU
The best LGBTQ+ colleges cultivate an inclusive, affirming environment for students with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. Resources like LGBTQ+ student services, mentorship programs and scholarships can foster academic and personal growth. And you can attend an LGBT-friendly college as a distance learner.
Athletic Equity Index
George Mason University scored 100% in the Athletic Equity Index, one of just 19 institutions to receive that distinction in an examination of how NCAA Division I institutions support LGBTQ+ student-athletes.
Photo by Rafael Suanes/GMU Athletics
Ongoing Programs and Resources
The LGBTQ+ Resources Center
The LGBTQ+ Resources Center works to cultivate the success and well-being of all LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty at Mason. Check out the programs and services the center provides below:
- LGBTQ+ Mentoring Program : Creating connections and a support network for those new to LGBTQ+ communities at Mason.
- Queer Student Leadership Council: A direct link between students and the Center, as well as the wider campus community.
Mason strives to create on-campus resources to ensure LGBTQ+ students can access an accepting space. These resources include:
- Trans Clothing Closet: Transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students can find free clothing and accessories.
- LGBTQ+ Learning Community: A housing community for LGBTQ+ students living together on campus.
Campus Events
Mason works widely with the LGBTQ+ Resources Center to organize campus events, including speakers and performers, panel discussions, drag shows, and more. Here are just a few of our annual campus events:
- National Coming Out Day: Observed October 12th, celebrate your identity at the Center and get a pride flag and button.
- Pride Week: Taking place in late March, this event includes poetry readings, open mic events, and the annual Drag Show.
Spotlight
Profile: Ric Chollar
Job: Adjunct Faculty Member, Women and Gender Studies, School of Integrative Studies, Social Work
Ric Chollar’s relationship with George Mason began in 1987 when he started teaching in the Psychology Department. He later served as a facilitator for an LGBTQ+ counseling group and a consultant on what grew into the Safe Zone+ Program. Until 2017, he was a staff member in the LGBTQ+ Resources Center.