(The Center Square) – Indiana University offers a wide range of LGBTQ programs and services, including “Queer Prom,” gender affirming surgery, gender affirming hormone therapy, and a gender affirming closet.
The IU School of Medicine performs “gender affirming surgery” for those 18 and over.
Some of the surgeries available are chest reconstruction, orchiectomy, vulvoplasty, vaginoplasty, voice surgery, facial feminization surgery, metoidioplasty, phalloplasty, and hysterectomy and oophorectomy, according to its website listing.
“We are a national leader in LGBTQ+ health education, offering a robust learning and teaching environment to prepare the next generation of healers to provide equitable care to LGBTQ+ people,” the IU School of Medicine states on its LGBTQ+ Health webpage.
IU Bloomington has a LGBTQ+ Culture Center that says IU is “a leader among U.S. colleges and universities for its policies, programs, and practices toward LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff, and alumni.”
“Through the LGBTQ+ Culture Center, students will find a safe and welcoming learning environment that provides resources and support to help students successfully reach their educational goals,” the center says of itself.
IU Bloomington educates nearly 50,000 students as of 2024, according to its website, and receives a rating of 5/5 for LGBTQ friendliness.
The LGBTQ+ Culture Center offers a Gender Affirming Closet where free clothing is available and the LGBTQ+ Library that provides “resources on gender and sexual diversity.”
The LGBTQ+ Culture Center also offers a resource on “Changing Your Preferred/Primary Name at IU” and a page entitled “Transitioning at IU.”
Other resources direct students to a nearby Planned Parenthood that offers abortion and gender-affirming hormone care; Kaleidoscope Youth Community, an “all-inclusive social group” for 12 through 20-year-olds; Bloomington’s all ages PRIDE Pridefest; a 21+ queer bar and grill; as well as “a comprehensive guide” to personal pronouns.
The LGBTQ+ Culture Center put on a “Queer Prom” on March 29 that was advertised as “a night of Regency-era glamour” and a time to live out one’s “Bridgerton fantasy.”
“If you’re simply a fan of love, drama, and or period style clothing, this event promises an evening of music, and the chance to mingle with other bold, beautiful souls in a setting where everyone’s royalty,” the prom’s description said.
The LGBTQ+ Culture Center also refers students to IU Bloomington’s Student Health Center, which provides gender affirming hormone therapy.
When reached twice each for comment, neither IU executive director of media relations and public affairs Mark Bode, deputy director of media relations at Bloomington Vic Ryckaert, nor LGBTQ+ Culture Center director Bruce Smail responded.
