In an unprecedented move, Campus Pride, a national organization dedicated to promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity in higher education, has decided to omit Florida and Texas schools from its coveted Best of the Best LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges and Universities list. Instead, the organization has issued a “red alert,” cautioning that these schools are likely to face a decline in their rankings due to the oppressive legislative climate in both states.
Campus Pride’s founder and CEO, Shane Mendez Windmeyer, expressed the organization’s unwavering commitment to campuses negatively affected by anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Florida and Texas. He stressed the importance of higher education institutions embodying values of diversity and inclusion, creating a safe and welcoming academic environment for all students.
A Legislative Backdrop of Discrimination
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a controversial law in May, prohibiting the state’s public colleges and universities from allocating funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives or programs. Campus Pride cited this law as the reason for excluding the University of Central Florida and the University of North Florida from this year’s rankings, despite their past appearances. The University of North Florida, in fact, held the top spot among Southeastern United States universities in 2022, while the University of Central Florida received the highest ranking for any Florida school in 2021.
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott implemented a similar law that led to the closure of LGBTQ+ resource centers on Texas campuses. Consequently, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Dallas, both previously recognized by Campus Pride, will not receive accolades this year. These two institutions were the sole representatives from the Southwest United States on the list in the previous year.
A Warning to Prospective Students
Campus Pride’s decision to exclude these schools carries a broader message to students contemplating higher education in Florida or Texas. The organization highlights the ongoing anti-queer campaigns in Austin and Tallahassee and cautions that these laws are being weaponized against LGBTQ+ individuals, endangering the safety and well-being of students on campuses across both states.
Manny Velásquez-Paredes, director of the LGBTQ Center at the University of North Florida, lamented the political climate that pits diversity, equity, and inclusion against divisive ideologies. He emphasized that these legislative attacks on the LGBTQ+ community have been deeply felt, with over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in the United States during the past legislative session. Campus Pride’s stance underscores the importance of safeguarding inclusive educational environments for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.