Abstract
Due to the limited amount of research on gender-neutral housing, the researcher expanded the literature review to related areas of research. These areas of research included the evolving community attitudes toward LGBT people in the United States, lingering problems of non-acceptance, bullying and harassment, and on-campus housing at institutions of higher education. The sexual and gender identity possibilities for students of colleges and universities is outpacing the services needed to accommodate them as safely as possible. Current difficulties arise in housing, as the assignment of roommates has always been under the assumption that all students are heterosexual and so are roomed by their gender and sex. The goal of this study is to determine whether the current gender/sex room restrictions for on-campus housing needs to be changed based on the wants and needs of current residents at a Central California State University, in light of the growing population of non-heterosexual and non-duality based gender/sex future residents. The collection of data was conducted in two ways. A quantitative survey of professional staff at universities with gender-neutral housing policies was used to determine different forms of gender-neutral housing, purposes and benefits of having such a program, and difficulties implementing gender-neutral housing. A focus group of undergraduate students at Central California State University through the PRIDE office was conducted, gathering their experiences living on-campus in relation to gender and sexual identities and their opinions on the viability of gender-neutral housing. While gender-neutral housing has the potential to be a successful program for students, particularly LGBT, its implementation on its own is not a solution. It needs to be part of a greater comprehensive change of identity for a university or college, to dedicate itself to a more inclusive and understanding community environment for students to feel safe to grow, develop, or confirm any combination of gender and sexual identities that is correct for them.