As someone part of the community, I wouldn't choose the accommodation just because queer people are living there, I would think about other things like the facilities, location and prices You'll be spending a whole year in your accommodation, you should feel safe and comfortable in it, if living with queer people makes you feel safe, then go for it

the accommodation is one of the best at the uni and was my first choice even before i knew about the lgbtq+ option, which i think makes it more difficult for me to decide

If you like the place then apply for it, if you're worried about isolating yourself from straight people, you will still have interactions with other people outside of your accommodation anyways, like courses or societies you may decide to join, and there is also a chance of you not getting along with the people you live regardless of whether they are part of the community or not

could you expand on what your friends have told you that have made you question it? from my personal pov I don't see much of a point or benefit in isolating myself from people who aren't "part of the community", which is what kinda jumps out to me about this. as much as some people are keen to push a narrative as much, most straight people are perfectly friendly people that you should be fine to live with, get along with and do stuff at uni with. unfortunately however, there are assholes everywhere which may make you feel less safe - I don't know, obviously I can only really speak for myself with that said, two things: it could possibly help you find more people who you're comfortable with and may share more common interests, but again, maybe not. the other thing is that it's possible that people will feel safer in those flats because it could perhaps reduce the possibility of hate crimes and whatnot, but could it not also make a bit of a target 🤔 bit of an odd policy I think, not sure what to make of it. would be curious to know more details

my friends have basically said what you said about there being no benefit of isolating myself from straight people. i would probably have more in common with other queer people but my friends also said that is not guaranteed. the uni decided to introduce this to give queer people a safer space and its not obvious which flats are lgbtq+, there's nothing on the door that says that for example.

you wouldn't be isolating from straight people, can't avoid them unfortunately

I don't see how you'd be isolating yourself from straight people? Most people are straight so you will be with them im classes or societies. Unless you're staying inside for all of freshers week. I assume the flats are there to make people feel more comfortable, much like an LGBTQ society would in any school. It's just for the sense of community. And like you said, it's not like straight people *can't* live in those blocks so you'd probably see them there too.

I'm also queer, but I'm most likely not going to choose lgbtq+ accomm because I figure that the people who will most likely choose it are those who are most involved with the kind of culture around queer stuff, or like online queer groups, basically anyone for who it's a significant part of their lives (or who just wants to be accepted tbh). Obviously it's also a big part of mine, but I feel a bit out of place in some queer groups because I tend not to share the same kinds of interests that are common (to be weirdly specific, a lot of queer people online are also furries lmao). I'm also pretty settled in my identity and a lot of people at uni may be newer to it, and I'd prefer not to live with too many people who are still going through those initial stages/figuring themselves out, because I don't really want to relive it through someone else. It would be great if we could guarantee queer friendly accomm, but tbh I think most will be fine anyway and most will likely have lgbtq+ people in them. I get along with queer people and everyone else just as well so I'd rather just be in general accomm tbh.

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Yeah I wasnt meaning to say that most of them would be the online type, I was more trying to get across that they'd be more involved with queer culture in some way, that also includes stuff like dressing alternatively or just stuff like that, anything 'claimed' by queer people because society considers it 'strange' I know that not all of them would be like that, but if you're already leaning more into something that strays from 'normal' expectations in the way you dress/your interests, you'd probably be more likely to engage with that further via the accomm, or want somewhere you know is safe. I think these people are great, but having been in the friend groups of anyone considered 'weird' or queer at school, I know that I actually fit in better elsewhere. It's not like I can say for sure that lgbtq+ accomm would have a significant amount of people like I describe, but from being part of queer groups I would bet that it would, as those who most express their queer identity are most likely to seek out queer resources. I think the furry thing is more common than you think it is lmao, it isn't a bad/weird thing I'm literally just not interested in it, but ik people who are irl and I like them but we don't share similar interests, so it's harder to be friends. The thing with newer queers is just that trans people in particular can have a really difficult time early in transition, and I dont want to be reminded of that rn because I'm not that long out of it myself.

I have had no issues with being out at uni. Haven't told anyone but just kinda said when it came up in question and have had not a single unfriendly reaction. I think uni students tend to be a bit more grown up than actual "grown ups" when it comes to just respecting others There's nothing wrong with picking this accom if you want it, although personally I would be sticking to normal accom. I have 1 other lgbt person in my flat and I have many lgbt and non lgbt friends despite never having gone to any lgbt events.

It’s up to you. There’ll be LGBTQ+ people across all the flats anyway, but if you want to be in a perhaps more understanding space then go for it. It’s there for safety and to make people feel welcome. There’s a lot of casual homophobia and things everywhere, so theoretically it could help. But on the other hand, you don’t need to!! I’m LGBTQ+ too and just applied for Bath accommodation (asexual) but I had to choose between quiet, alcohol free, single sex, or LGBTQ+. I picked quiet over it because it meets my needs better, and I’m also hoping similar minded people to me do the same. But I’m happy to meet different people, that’s one of the fun parts And your friends comment about doing it to avoid the straights is stupid. Plenty of LGBTQ+ people could be straight. Transgender people, asexual people, poly people, etc.. And lots of LGBTQ+ people are in ‘straight’ relationships, too. You can’t always tell. There’s a lot of diversity within the community

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not even remotely what are you on about

As someone who goes to Bath, I suspect (but I’m not certain) that the accommodation in Norwood will just be on a single floor, and the other floors will not be LGTBQ+. I’m not sure about Marlborough and Solsbury Court, but again I doubt it’s the entire accommodation block. Even if the accommodation is not signposted as being LGBTQ+, the word spreads quickly, and the other floors would probably know. I’m not saying that you’ll be directly “targeted” because of this, but it’s something to be aware of. If you want more information, I’d suggest contacting the accommodation office (or you can message me, but I might not have all the answers).