Top Gay Friendly College Football Schools

Sometimes as gay men and women we tend to be apprehensive about going to a sporting event because we fear that we might be lambasted or bashed. But what colleges make the list for the best football atmosphere for gays and lesbians to attend?

We roamed the country for the ten best gay-friendly campuses in the country on football game days that give gays the opportunity to ‘branch out’ and enjoy the electric football scenery. Our list includes 10 universities from all over the country. This list includes five schools from the Pacific-10 conference, two schools from the Big Ten and Sun Belt, and one university from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

1 & 2) University of Southern California and University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California)
– The proximity of these two schools make it hard to separate each one. USC and UCLA’s embracing acceptance of gays makes this an ideal place to watch college football. For those USC fans, watching Pete Carroll dominate the PAC-10 has been a fixture for seven seasons. Enjoyable football with a packed house of 92,500 fans every week makes this the place to be on college game day. If you’re not feeling the Trojan pride, drive down to the Rose Bowl where the Bruins can make you feel at home. This university’s rich history in college football makes it a great place for any college football fan to enjoy.

3) Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)
– There is nothing more exciting than going to Columbus on game day. The Buckeyes make every student at OSU proud after their fourth consecutive Big Ten Conference Championship in 2008. There is no doubt that gays can enjoy pre-game tailgating without obtaining glaring stares or disruptions. The consistency of producing winning teams and the dotting of the i in the ‘Script of Ohio’ is a must for any sports enthusiast. Columbus’ liberal attitude and hopping night life make OSU a top destination for any college football fan.

4 & 5) Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley (Palo Alto and Berkeley, California)
- Gay life is abundant in Palo Alto and it’s prime location to San Francisco makes this an awesome football destination. Let’s not forget Stanford’s biggest rival UC-Berkeley on the East Bay. The Cardinal and Golden Bears don’t have the atmosphere of a USC or Ohio State, but the laid back and energetic atmosphere make this a fun place to watch college football. The proximity to San Francisco allows gays to enjoy the game and then indulge in the night life in one of the best gay cities in the world. Why wouldn’t this be on any gay sports fan’s list?

6) University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
– If you’re looking for the ultimate college fan experience look no further than the Maize and Blue. The blossoming city of Ann Arbor multiplies on game days as 107,501 fans converge into Michigan Stadium. Although the on the field product has been lackluster since the teams debacle to Appalachian State in 2007, Michigan is still a great place to see a game. The fans are more concerned with their team’s on the field performance rather than who is sitting next to them.. If you’re looking for the diehard football experience with a friendly welcome, then this is the place for you.

7) Duke University (Durham, North Carolina)
– Unlike their die-hard rivals North Carolina and North Carolina State, the Duke Blue Devils bring out southern charm with gay-friendly vibes. This is the only university in the South that competes in a power-six conference with this distinction. Wallace Wade Stadium’s near 34,000 fans make it a great place to tailgate and enjoy a true southern tradition. Watching all the fraternity members in their button-downs and ties make this more of a thing to do rather than the result of the game. If you’re looking just for a fun social event, Durham is the place to be.

8) University of Oregon (Eugene, Oregon)
– Want the west coast football experience without the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles or San Francisco? Try an excursion to the Emerald City in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks might not have winning tradition of UCLA or USC, but it’s aesthetics is what makes this a great place to watch college football. The interesting architecture of Autzen Stadium makes this a neat and intimate experience. Plus, the five variations of the Ducks’ uniforms could make anyone go blind with their bright green and yellow Nike jerseys. The beautiful city of Eugene along with its strong fan base make this a neat place to watch a game.

9) Middle Tennessee State (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)
– This school makes the list because of its progressive nature trapped by the surroundings of rural Tennessee. There is no secret that gays entrench the campus of Middle Tennessee State. The school’s small fan base, along with its relative close location to Nashville makes this a prime destination for any fan wanting to see a traditional college football game without the crowd mayhem. Back in 2006, the school made headlines when ESPN caught two boys kissing each other in a opening shot of a televised broadcast. After all, what homosexual wouldn’t want to go to a school who’s mascot is a Pegasus?

10) Florida International (Miami, Florida)
– There’s no doubt FIU lacks the tradition of other schools. But it’s location in Miami with its upbeat game atmosphere make this place more of a party stop than a college football game. Attend a game at FIU and you will notice the trendy club beats and hip hop atmosphere between every play. The lax attitude of FIU fans make this a great place for those gays wanting to grab a few drinks and watch decent college football. Expect there to be more club beats this year after the university announced that it had disbanded it’s marching band and that cheerleaders will no longer be at the games. But for those men who like to look at beautiful women, at least there is the Golden Dazzlers!

(Photos: Getty Images)

Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

Comments

[Adam]

I agree with most of your selections but I might have re-ordered a little differently. But I had no idea about Middle Tennessee...REALLY?

[Derek]

All I have to say is... O-H... I-O!

[Tyler]

MTSU? Awesome. Guess I picked the wrong school to go to. UT here and not so much on the gay friendly there.

[RUfootballfan]

A place to "watch decent college football?" Whoever wrote this article hasn't been paying much attention to college football these days? FIU is a doormat.

[James Henderson]

Shocked about MTSU also... very shocked!

[Charlie]

GO BLUE!!!
Michigan is definitely a great place for football, despite our recent downturn. Gay, straight, whatever...everyone enjoys it together and no one cares as long as you are wearing Maize and/or Blue and screaming your lungs out.

[Jason]

I'm a die hard Bama Fan. ROLL TIDE!!

BUT! I'm from Nashville.
MTSU is known around here as *THE* Gay school.
TONS of gay guys go there.

AND, furthermore. Contrary to popular belief, Tennessee is a VERY Open state.
You can be who you want to be, here.
People don't care.

VERY HUGE Misconception that the south is bad for gay people.

[Mike]

I attend MTSU and the school is fairly gay friendly. There are so many gay guys, mostly closet cases. If you want to meet most of the gays just hang out with the fraternity's.

[Jamie]

FSU NOLES forever baby....Wooooooo

[Ford]

Im pretty sure the dude in the red shirt is my friend Jada's ex..haha

[LanierCock]

Go COCKS! Tailgating outside Williams Brice with all the cocks! Not a better place to party and cruise the boys!

[Dan]

I'm surprised the Gator Nation hasnt dominated this list as well in. Gainesville Fla is a very progressive city and UF is a fairly progressive school. Thats somewhat surprising seeing as how unlike Tennessee, north central Florida isnt exactly very gay tolerant outside of Gainesville city limits. Plus Tim Tebow is a hottie!

GO GATORS!!!

CHOMP CHOMP!!

ORANGE AND BLUE ALL THE WAY!!!

[Troy]

I agree about the Gators! Tim Tebow for the win!

[Glenn, Texas]

I attend Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. It likes to pay lip service about treating gay people well but it doesn't actually put any of it into practice. They also allow right wing extremists to come and do book signings at their bookstore - seems it's OK to forget about treating gay people right where there's money to be made. I would not recommend anyone gay attend this university. Here in Fort Worth we also had the now famous Rainbow Lounge gay bar attack by the out of control authorities just a couple of weeks ago. Fort Worth is not a good place for gay people to live or visit.

[John]

To Glenn from TX. FYI any state south of the Mason Dixon line is just full of red-neck right wing extremists that 'talk the talk' but don't walk the walk. And yes, everything is bigger in TX, even the BS.

[chris]

mtsu is def. gay friendly i live in knoxville great choice!!!!

[Ryan]

I'm a student at UT and I would have to say I'd love to hang out at MTSU because the gay community in Knoxville, TN is AWFUL. I'd have to disagree with Jason [July 18, 2009 at 10:10 AM]; TN is NOT a gay friendly state and as soon as I'm done with my degree, I'm OUTTA here. Just because we live in Dolly Parton's backyard doesn't mean everyone's as gay inclusive as she is. GO DOLLY!!!

[Aaron]

Are you serious, Tyler? I live in Texas and there's a pretty thriving gay community on the UT campus. Plus that's Austin which is a gay friendly type place!! Most of my gay friends at UT enjoy the games there and such with no harassment.

[raine29]

Duke is in the South but it is not southern. They no nothing about southern charm.

[jack]

aaron..I think Tyler meant university of tennessee, not university of texas.

[Darin]

After years of attending Ohio State games, I totally concur with this rating. There's nothing better on a fall Saturday than watch the Buckeyes by day and fine men by night in the popping bar scene in Columbus!

[kerry]

What about PSU...I would have them on the list before Ohio State or Michigan...

[Lisa]

I'm surprised to see no love for New England teams, especially the attitudes are such that since gay marriage is now legal in five of the six New England states.

While the New England college football teams may not always be in the polls, there's still a great deal of acceptance and support in this little corner of America.

[Ryan]

I'm not really surprised by any of these (except maybe MTSU) as being "gay-friendly" places to attend football games, but I also think there are quite a few other universities that should be included. University of Maryland and University of Virginia are both very progressive with decent teams. Someone already mentioned Penn State. Also the University of Texas...Austin is to Texas what San Francisco is to California. My list would go on and on...University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota, University of Colorado, Arizona State University, University of Missouri...these are just the few that are coming off the top of my head.

[Dewie]

Olivet College in Olivet MI may not be a BIG TEN school, but it is a very gay-friendly campus. I love it there.

[coachBT]

no sugarcoat, Ann Arbor not only GAY but also GAY-FRIENDLY. no sugarcoat. eroc and me walk hand-in-hand all time, no HATE.

[Sean]

It begins and ends with the Texas Longhorns. Austin doesn't care if you are gay when you show up at DKR (the stadium) and tailgate on Saturday mornings.

[Kidd]

Jason, I disagree. Tennessee is definitely NOT gay-friendly, especially with all of the recent murders, abuses, and severe cases of harassment that have occurred during the past few years against the LGBT community. AND a few of these cases were caused by police officials but have been kept in the shadows so as not to stir things up. However, MTSU IS relatively gay-friendly, for the most part. I haven't encountered any real issues there other than the typical homophobia from various individuals. The frats are overall inclusive of the LGBT community. Keep up the great work, MTSU! Now if only we can pass proper Gender Identity legislation on campus.

[Vince]

Hey Josh, this is an excellent top ten list. It's no surprise that half of the gay friendly universities are here on the Wet Coast. It is so much more liberal and open minded then other parts of the country.

[greggy]

I guess nobody remembers a certain Oklahoma University QB leaving OU for UCLA a few years ago. Rumor had it that the QB was gay and Coach Switzer wasn't going to coach a 'fag'. UCLA won a few games w/rumored gay QB. That's gay friendly

[James]

I'm kind of surprised to see MTSU but I guess it lands here because it's the largest state school in the Nashville metro. Nashville is the only city in the Tennessee and one of the few places in the Southeast that I would even remotely consider gay-friendly (alongside the obvious ones like Miami, Atlanta, Tampa, New Orleans, Orlando and maybe Charlotte...you can have the rest).

[Brandon Thomas]

i go to MTSU and I am the vice president of the Lambda Association on campus. I still can't get over the fact that MTSU is on this list...haha Go Blue!

[weber]

i just graduated from mtsu... we are in a shitty, redneck area of the country, where people still use words like "f*g" and gay..in a derogatory sense, but this campus seemed more than accepting. i'm not a fan of the college...as far as standards go, but as far as this is concerned -- so proud to have gone to a school to make such a ranking. go gay!!

[James]

I graduated from MTSU a long time ago. (1965) It wasn't terribly gay friendly back then, but there were quite a few of us around. I'm glad to see the old Blue & White make a good list.

[kakoo]

AM A UGANDAN STUDENT,IF SPONSORED I CAN JOIN AGAY UNIVERSITY.WE GAYS ARE NOT GIVEN OUR RIGHTS IN UGANDA.

[christian college]

Thanks for sharing. Nice Post and videos.

[G8R]

Gator Hater.

[sevuloni vavabulu]

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thankyou
manager

[sevuloni vavabulu]

hi its me again from fiji its a friendly gay resort in fiji islands.

[yanxaholic]

i totally agree with USC! the trojan family here embraces everyone regardless of sexual orinetation =)