Local LGBTQ Resources

With its rich history of civil rights, Rochester is among the most welcoming, LGBTQ-friendly metro areas in the U.S., ranked 11th in 2016's Queerest Cities in America by Advocate.com.  Four years later in 2020, Rochester received a perfect score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index. From art museums to coffee shops to advocacy groups to affirming healthcare, Rochester has a lot to offer LGBTQ folks, and it’s all accessible to students at the University of Rochester! 

Healthcare 

In the local Rochester community, students have access to Trillium Health as a resource for comprehensive, affirming LGBTQ healthcare. For additional information about healthcare resources for students at the University of Rochester, please visit our website here. 

Arts and Recreation 

Summer in Rochester is often referred to as a festival-frenzy. LGBTQ folks will find welcoming enjoyment at the annual Pride celebration and Parade, the Lilac Festival, and Rochester International Jazz Festival, Fringe Fest, among many other local events. 

Rochester’s annual LGBT Film Festival, ImageOUT, presents opportunities to volunteer in the community and to see an array of independent, international films focused on queer identities and themes. Beyond ImageOUT, the Rochester film scene routinely includes LGBTQ films at venues such as the Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum and the Little Theatre.

The Memorial Art Gallery (which is free for UR students!), Geva Theater, and Auditorium Theater may also be of interest to students looking for LGBTQ-friendly cultural offerings around the city. Check the City Newspaper for upcoming events that might be of interest to you. 

Nightlife 

For those of legal drinking age, the Bachelor Forum, and the Avenue Pub offer up drinks and LGBTQ-friendly atmospheres. ROAR offers 18+ dancing in an LGBTQ-supportive environment as well.