FAQ on what it's like to be LGBT at HBS
So what is it like to be a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning student at HBS? All of us wondered this as we were making the decision to attend HBS. Here are some of the things we wanted to know:
Should I be out on campus?
This is a personal choice, and any decision you make has to make sense within the context of your own life. Most of our members are out to everyone on campus, and they happily report having strong support throughout the community. Some members are out to the club but not to their section; a few are not out at all, involved only through BCC emails. We strive to help closeted members as they go trough the coming out process at their own pace.
We are very pleased by the progress HBS has made in recent years toward becoming an excellent place for LGBT students and partners. Alums from the not-too-distant past tell tales of people feeling like they had to go back into the closet here. Today this sounds very surprising, as the LGBT community enjoys such great visibiltiy and support today!
The Admissions Office and the rest of the administration partner closely with us as we make HBS an even better place for out students.
How many LGBT students are there?
The numbers vary year to year, but there are about 30 out LGBT students that are part of the LGBTSA. The LGBTSA works closely with HBS Admissions to continue to grow these numbers and create a strong pipeline of qualified LGBT prospective students. Our numbers have been growing over time!
Who are the LGBT students at HBS?
There is no one type of LGBT student at HBS. Our diversity mirrors that of the school, and of the LGBT community more broadly. We come from many family backgrounds and many professional experiences. What we share is a desire to have a fun (and educational!) time with each other and with the rest of the HBS community.
Are there any trans students at HBS?
Today there are no out transgender students at HBS. We (and the Admissions Office) extend an enthusiastic invitation to transgender prospective students reading this to come to HBS and change that.
Are there any LGBT faculty members? Are they out?
Yes. There is a small handful of out gay and lesbian faculty and quite a number of out staff members at HBS. They are great allies and supporters of the LGBTSA and of individual club members.
Do you interact with other LGBT students at Harvard?
The Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus is a university-wide umbrella organization that serves as a great resource for current students and alumni. Many HBS students attend events at the law school and the Kennedy School. Additionally, each semester we help organize an all-grad school LGBTQ social to spend an evening with our fabulous colleagues across the river at KSG, the Harvard schools of law, medicine, divinity, education, and design and the graduate school of arts and sciences.
Can I bring my partner to class and other campus events?
Absolutely. Like our straight colleagues, many LGBTSA members enjoy bringing partners to class to introduce them to the section experience and give their partners a first-hand look at the case method. Partners also have a great time at all-campus events, like the chilli cook-off, the Newport Ball, and frequent TGIF happy hours.
I am single. Will I meet people?
Yes! You will definitely meet like-minded single LGBT students, and there are a number stories in the annals of the LGBTSA of HBS classmates living happily ever after. Of course, we can't promise anything! The broader community at Harvard University and around Boston also offers plenty of opportunities to meet smart, interesting people.
But really, what is it like?
The world is changing for the better for LGBT people, and HBS is part of that process. HBS has a baseline non discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation - efforts are underway at the Harvard University level to include gender identity and expression - and has built on top of that baseline a set of community standards around respect and inclusion that govern behavior in classrooms and throughout the school. HBS policies are inclusive with language - it is always "partner" here, not "husband" or "wife" - as well as substance.
There remains room for improvement and we continue to work with the administration to address LGBT concerns. We enjoy the full support of the administration and the Admissions Office, and continue to partner with the school on a number of long-term initiatives. If you are looking to be a leader on campus, come to HBS. If you are eager to teach and learn from your classmates, come to HBS. If you want to have impact at an institution that casts a very long shadow on the business world of today and tomorrow - come to HBS.
We look forward to meeting you!
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