About the Program
In accordance with the Great Commitment “to create a democratic community dedicated to education and gender equality,” Berea College started a Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH) community to build fellowship and promote awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues. The GIH community provides a safe space for the living, learning and advocacy of our LGBTQIA+ students and allies.
Gender Inclusive Housing is an inclusive, voluntary environment where students who identify as transgender, non-binary, gender nonconforming, or allies to those communities can live in the same room with other students who identify as a member or ally to the transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming communities. Students who live in this community will be expected to contribute positively to the community by offering support and encouragement for the living environment, respecting suite members’ different motivations for choosing this living option, embracing and learning from experiences different from one’s own, actively participate in community events, and abiding by all regulations as outlined in the Student Handbook and the Residential Living Guide.
First-year Gender Inclusive Housing is located in the Kentucky-Talcott Residence hall. Kentucky-Talcott is made up of two residence halls separated by a spacious common area in the middle of the building. Each wing can house 14 residents and will have a communal restroom and common area.
Visit the Kentucky-Talcott page for more information on Hall features.
Those interested in first-year Gender Inclusive Housing should contact Housing@berea.edu
Upper-class Gender Inclusive Housing is located in the lower level of Danforth hall, and is made up of a traditional dorm room set up. The rooms are generally double-occupancy, with a shared bathroom in the hallway.
Visit the Danforth page for more information on Hall features.
Those interested in upper-class Gender Inclusive Housing may apply by a special application that opens in the spring semester.
GIH – Events
GIH is a living and learning community for those who identify in the LGBTQIA+ community, this includes allies as they are a huge part of our community. Alongside living with a group of peers, we offer unique programs and a wonderful support system revolving around LGBTQIA+ issues and events.
LGBTQ-specific programs are hosted on a regular basis for both upper-class and first-year residents, and hall staff accept recommended program ideas from GIH residents. Past programs include: Terminology Bingo, Coming Out Day pins, Movie Nights, World AIDS Day Fashion Show, etc. Whether you live within GIH or not, please feel free to come out to one of our events and meet new people and even have the chance to learn something that you may have not known before.
If you have any questions regarding Gender Inclusive Housing, please contact housing@berea.edu
For more information contact:
Lyric Jones, Area Coordinator: Kentucky Residence Hall, Talcott Residence Hall
Woods-Penniman Building, 302
E-Mail: jonesly2@berea.edu
Rachel Burnside, Area Coordinator: Danforth Residence Hall
Woods-Penniman Building, 302
E-Mail: burnsider@berea.edu