Being gay at university

So yeah I'm due to start at uni at the start of October and I'm gay.

I'm a bit concerned as to how people will react. I'm not camp and people generally do not know about my sexuality unless I tell them, so if the worst comes to the worst then I just won't. However it wouldn't be a nice way to spend the first year at university and I don't see any reason why I shouldn't.

If you are gay and at university then I'd be interested to see how you got along. Do you have male and female friends? How did people react when they found out? When is the best time to tell everyone?

Thanks.

Reply 1

sopheeb

I'm bi, and starting uni in October, in a way I'm feeling fairly apprehensive but I'll work on the principle that people will have grown up by the time they get to uni and most won't be too troublesome. I'm not sure I'll even bother telling anyone, just let them work it out! Find out if there's an LGBT group, could be good to find people you know you can talk to openly about it.

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

Yeah. Generally, I couldn't care less what people think and see it as irrelevant, but if I'm spending a full year with these people then I need to test the water with their tolerance beforehand as it could make life quite difficult.

Reply 3

Lady_Darkness

To be honest, I don't think it'll be an issue at all... once you reach uni everyone's pretty open minded and accepting... people have grown up a lot from all the fuss they would have made at school. It's a maturer atmosphere, and although the odd person may have a problem with it (such is life), in general it shouldn't make the blindest bit of difference :smile:

Reply 4

sopheeb

You could bring the subject up then, see how it goes. I hope you find some nice understanding people, are you going anywhere with a decent gay scene? I'm looking forward to this "gay mile" in Bristol. I hope I'm not being naive but I'm sure people are way more understanding at uni. If they're not, I'm screwed really!

Reply 5

vixky!

13

I wouldn't worry about it! I am sure people are expecting diversity at university so won't even bat an eyelid! You can always keep it quiet until you are comfortable telling people though, if that's what you prefer. I am sure people will understand either way. :smile:

Reply 6

Celina424

Being that I'm from San Francisco my opinion is going to be a bit slated (more than a bit slated) I suppose it depends on where your going to school because I know of many Universities here in the US that aren't so progressive but still out of anywhere else University campuses tend to be the most open-minded places you definitely shouldn't try to hide who you are or suppress any part of your personality, that's so anti what University life is about, you should be blossoming not holding back. I hope you have a GREAT year being you at Uni :wink:

Reply 7

CommunistHamster

Yeah, people at university do tend to be more liberal and accepting than average.

Reply 8

emmarainbow

12

Uni is the place of wonder and acceptance! *fingers crossed* But, well - everyone says so.

I'm not there yet, but I'm joining the LGBT.

If you've gone through crap because of your sexuality before, that's unlucky and :frown:

, but I'm sure you'll be free to be yourself in student-land. :biggrin:

Reply 9

a_t

16

Unis are places of acceptance, plus you'll all be free from any sort of pressure you felt from parents etc. Coupled with prominent LGBT societies it should be a liberating experience for a lot of people

Reply 10

8urtay

just join the LGBT and you'll be fine - you'll find the people you can flirt with!

be careful with your block mates though, just see what they are like before you ever tell them. Luckily i got in a block with some really sound piss heads :biggrin:

but the block next to me had 3 homophobic ****s :redface:

but i mean they weren't very liked in the uni (hence why their kitchen was egged so many times).

Reply 11

Melana

14

Seriously you're FINE. No-one cares at ALL. People randomly walk around my uni dressed in full elizabethan costume and no-one bats an eyelid. I'm bi, no-one flinches, no-one cares, it's grand.

Reply 12

Hedger

13

I don't think you should be concerned at all. Just go, live your life... answer questions openly. :smile:

Don't just blurt out 'are you sure you want to be talking to me? I bat for the other team!', that would be odd.
People are a lot more openminded these days, no one cares to be honest.
Seriously, mate. You'll be fine :yy:

Reply 13

Dude

14

It doesn't matter at all. My university is tiny (literally) and I know a fair number of gay people there and no-one really cares.

So don't panic, you have nothing to worry about.

Reply 14

DarK LinK

I'm in the same position as you. I'm just a normal acting guy.

Basically, just be yourself and only make your sexuality an issue if you're asked directly by someone. If people have a problem with it, they can just go to hell.

Reply 15

Chumbaniya

17

I don't think you'll have any problems at all. Because universities bring together all sorts of people from all over the country, you should find people are generally very accepting and tolerant (and if they're not, they're likely to not get on well socially). Plus there's always a lot of support from LGBT societies so you're by no means going to be the only gay person there.

Reply 16

king_jarvis

1

Its probably one of the most open minded places you will ever be. There are people from every background and everyone just seems to mix and not care.

Being gay at university

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