Georgetown approves 'gender and sexuality' housing option

Georgetown University recently approved a residential living space reserved exclusively for students interested in “exploring” gender and sexuality.

The “Crossroads: Gender and Sexuality” Living Learning Community (LLC) was initially rejected by the Office of Residential Life in April, but was subsequently approved in December, according to an email obtained by Campus Reform.

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In the email, Associate Director of Residential Education Katie Heather informs student Grace Smith, a leader of the LLC effort, that her proposal has “been approved and accepted for the 2018-2019 academic year.”

She did note, however, that “logistics for this community are in the process of being finalized,” including the “location of the community” and the “application process.”

Vice President of Student Affairs Todd Olson told Campus Reform that the new residency option “will provide a community space for discussion on gender and inclusion while upholding the Jesuit values of community in diversity and educating the whole person.”

Olson went on to note that the LLC will “follow Georgetown’s current housing policies” regarding gender, which allows student to live with those who identify as the same gender regardless of sex.  

“Our Catholic and Jesuit values call on us to engage with ‘respect, compassion, and sensitivity’ with our LGBTQ community,” Olson continued. “It is in keeping with our Catholic and Jesuit values to provide a language, perspective, and sense of inclusion for deepening our sense of cura personalis.”

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Smith, who leads the student government’s LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Policy Team, touted the approval in a recent Facebook post, calling it “A REALLY BIG DEAL AT A JESUIT UNIVERSITY.”

“This means that students will now begin to have a unique residential space dedicated to exploring and understanding themselves and others in relation to gender and sexuality,” she added. “Congratulations to everyone who made this dream a reality.”

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