JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida is taking steps to create an inclusive space for LGBT students to call home, offering transgender and gender non-conforming scholars a place to live on campus together.
UNF calls it "gender inclusive housing." The dorms are clustered in several residence halls across campus for freshmen all the way to seniors.
Kenny Nelson, a junior at UNF, supports the idea. He said it provides a safer-feeling environment for students who may not always feel they're understood.
"I think it's a good opportunity for somebody to be able to be in a position where that community is available, where they have people around who understand some of those different things socially," Nelson said.
Maddy Wright, a junior, is involved in several groups on the UNF campus. One of those groups called "Cru," a Christian organization, held an event for LGBT students Wright said it was a big success.
"It's nice to open up and get a better perspective of the different kinds of people at our school," Wright said.
Wright also stands behind the idea for the dorms and said it will help against discrimination.
"I feel like it provides great opportunities for them [LGBT students] to grow and thrive together," Wright said.
UNF is the 4th college in the state to offer this type of campus housing. Students News4JAX spoke to said they hope to see this type of idea spread to other campuses around the country.