LGBTQ+ Students

LGBTQ+ SERVICES

BW is committed to the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual/pansexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and ally students, staff, and faculty - a commitment that BW demonstrated when it became the first university in the United States to break with the United Methodist Church after the church voted to enforce policies that exclude LGBTQ+ clergy and parishioners. We are invested in creating a vibrant and inclusive community that recognizes and celebrates LGBTQ+ contributions to BW!

Coordinator, LGBTQ+ SERVICES

Ana de Freitas Boe, Ph.D.
Dr. Ana de Freitas Boe works with the campus community to ensure that BW is a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty. She chairs the LGBTQ+ Task Force, co-advises Allies, and provides training to individuals and offices seeking advice on how to best support LGBTQ+ students. She can be reached by phone at (440) 826-2024 or by email at aboe@bw.edu or lgbt@bw.edu.

BW Pride Hive

BW Pride Hive (formerly known as Allies) is BW's LGBTQ+ student group. BW Pride Hive creates community and provides social support to LGBTQ+ students and their straight allies. The group meets to explore issues of interest to the LGBTQ+ community and have fun. BW Pride Hive collaborates with other student groups to create queer-friendly campus programming and organize campus-wide events like Pride Prom.

LGBTQ+ Task Force

The task force is a group of faculty, staff and students committed to promoting the inclusion and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community at BW and beyond. The task force meets monthly to discuss issues pertinent to the LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty. In recent years, the task force has helped to create gender-inclusive restrooms and housing options on campus and BW's Chosen Name/Pronoun Option, which allows students to specify the name and pronouns that they would like faculty and staff to use to refer to them.

Safe Zone Project

Each semester, BW offers a specialized training to faculty and staff interested in learning the best practices for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Having completed the training, faculty and staff display Safe Zone stickers to display their commitment to creating and sustaining an environment of support, respect, and dignity for all members of the campus community. Learn more about the Safe Zone project at http://thesafezoneproject.com.

Gender-Inclusive Restrooms

Baldwin Wallace affirms its commitment to diversity in a variety of forms. Gender-inclusive restrooms may be used by any person regardless of gender identity or expression. View a campus map with the location of gender-inclusive restrooms.

Community Standards of Conduct

BW requires that all members of the university community and its guests be treated with dignity and respect as stated in this policy.

Services

Baldwin Wallace University is committed to serving the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students. In keeping with the University's belief in the dignity and worth of all members of our campus community, BW supports and affirms students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

BW provides programming, resources, support and networking opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students, as well as for straight supporters. In accordance with the University's mission to prepare students to become contributing, compassionate citizens, we encourage all members of the campus community to promote social justice and eliminate discrimination in all its forms.

Students who have been a victim of a bias incident or hate crime are encouraged to report the incident immediately.

LGBT Scholarships

Baldwin Wallace University offers two scholarships for members of the LGBT community and their supporters.

The LGBT Scholarship is graciously funded by BW alumnus and attorney John Kropf and his wife, Judy. The scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time student member of the LGBT community who has attained junior or senior status and has demonstrated financial need.

The BW Humanitarian Award for Social Justice was instituted by Professor David Prok, a retired member of BW's department of sociology. The award is given annually to members of the BW campus community who make BW more hospitable, safe and accepting of minority members at the University.