LGBTQIA+
A survey conducted by the American College Health Association in 2016 revealed that approximately 10% of undergraduate students identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, asexual, pansexual, or questioning.1 20% of all college students fear for their physical safety due to their gender identity or their perceived sexual orientation.2
44% of lesbian women, 61% of bisexual women, and 35% of heterosexual women experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.3
26% of gay men, 37% of bisexual men, and 29% of heterosexual men experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.3
For more information on LGBTQIA+ statistics in Higher Education check out the Postsecondary National Policy Institute LGBT Factsheet and Campus Explorer LGBT College Statistics.
To learn more about LGBTQIA+ terms click here.
Students part of the LGBTQIA+ community have multiple resources to assist them in responding to incidents of power-based violence. The Office of Advocacy & Violence Prevention offers FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL support services to UTRGV students. In addition, students may access the following resources:
- Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (OSTEM) at Rio Grande Valley empowers LGBTQ people in STEM to succeed personally, academically, and professionally by cultivating environments and communities that nurture innovation, leadership, and advocacy.
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline provides telephone, online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support, as well as information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States. All services are free and confidential. Please feel free to contact the hotline 1-888-843-4564.
- Trevor Lifeline is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. You can contact Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
- National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a non-profit, public interest law firm that litigates precedent-setting cases at the trial and appellate court levels; advocates for equitable public policies affecting the LGBT community; provides free legal assistance to LGBT people and their legal advocates; and conducts community education on LGBT issues. For information, please contact 1-800-528-6257 or 415-392-6257.
- Modern Military Association of America is the nation’s largest non-profit organization for the LGBTQ military and veteran community. We are committed to education, advocacy and support for LGBTQ service members, veterans, military spouses, family members and allies.
- Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Harlingen’s mission is to build on a foundation of loving families united with LGBTQ people and allies who support one another, and to educate ourselves and our communities to speak up as advocates until all hearts and minds respect, value and affirm LGBTQ people. You can contact PFLAG Harlingen at 956-507-0570
- South Texas Equality Project (STEP) seeks to unite local businesses, faith-based organizations, institutions, and individuals who share the common goal of supporting, nurturing, and celebrating the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Ally, and others (LGBTQIA+) community and any other purpose valid under law. You can contact STEP at 956-507-4805.
Campus Single Stall Restrooms
Please view our comprehensive lists of campus resources and community resources.
1College Guide for LGBT Students. https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/lgbtq-student-guide/
2Henshaw, A. LGBT College Statistics. https://www.campusexplorer.com/college-advice-tips/DC54CA9B/LGBT-College-Statistics/
3NISVS: An Overview of 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/cdc_nisvs_victimization_final-a.pdf