Campus Pride Index

Top rating for LGBTQ inclusiveness

With a demonstrated commitment to students of all sexual orientations and gender identities, Trinity College recently earned a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index, an independent national database on the LGBTQ inclusiveness of campuses across the country.

“I’m immensely proud of the efforts the Trinity community has taken to earn this exceptional rating as we continue to strive to be a campus where all can thrive,” said Anita Davis, Trinity’s vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion. “The Campus Pride Index provides us with invaluable feedback focused specifically on the experiences of LGBTQ+ members of the Trinity community. This annual report assesses our progress while assisting us in strategizing with campus partners about ways to address concerns and act on what we learn.”

Crystal Nieves ’08, M’23, Trinity’s director of LGBTQ+ life, said, “This is huge for the Trinity community. The Campus Pride Index is our road map to get the campus to where it needs to be in terms of inclusive policies for employees and students, campus life efforts, and everything that could affect a student’s well-being and their ability to succeed at college.”

Since 2007, the Campus Pride Index has functioned as an LGBTQ national benchmarking tool to help colleges and universities create safer, more inclusive campus communities. Prospective students, families, or employees, as well as those interested in higher education, use the free online database to search for LGBTQ-friendly colleges that are dedicated to improving the academic experience and quality of campus life, according to Nieves.

When members of the public look up Trinity on the Campus Pride Index, they have access to the College’s LGBTQ-Friendly Report Card. This report includes specific ratings of sexual orientation-related policies and programs, gender identity-related policies and programs, institutional support, academic life, student life, counseling and health resources, housing, safety, and more.

Since Trinity began participating in the index more than 10 years ago, the College’s rating has increased from 3.5, to 4, to 4.5, to 5. “That consistent improvement is really important to us,” Nieves said. “Trinity’s 5-star rating reflects that we are doing the right strategic things to build a strong foundation that offers an opportunity to impact the entire campus culture.” Improvements Trinity has made include a gender-inclusive housing process, she added.

Of the more than 400 colleges and universities that completed the Campus Pride Index Assessment this year, 47 received 5-star ratings.