The University of Kansas is designating part of one of its residence halls for Gender Inclusive Housing, or GIH.
"Gender Inclusive Housing is specifically for transgender, nonconforming and queer students where they don’t fit into the traditional box of what we think of as higher education residential living," Coordinator for the Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, Vanessa Delgado said.
It's an initiative more than 200 universities and colleges have done.
"KU is, it’s on the university to make that initiative and just that we think that it’s important, speaks volume," Delgado said.
In Lewis Hall, there will be a wing dedicated to do just that, a safe space for LGBTQ students.
"I think it’s very good idea because I think people suffer with accepting LGBTQ community," student Aksinya Kichigina said.
"It’s gotta start somewhere right, why not start at a big university like Kansas and it’ll just pick up from there," one KU student said.
"It’s good for the community because it kind of brings other people in the city around to see that even us are coming together and trying to make this a better place for everyone," another KU student said.
Delgado says this initiative is a step forward.
"So not having to come out to a stranger over the phone or via email and just having the option available just speaks volumes about what kind of culture we’re trying to create at the University," Delgado said.
According to KU's website, GIH is "open to any student who wishes to be housed in a gender inclusive environment, and is available on a first-come, first served basis."
"We’re trying to create amazing alumni who we’re super proud of but we have to create an environment that they can be successful," Delgado said.
GIH will be open this Fall. For more information, click here.
