Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic academic institution in the United States, has announced the introduction of a “gender-inclusive” housing program for students. This new initiative follows a student referendum in which undergraduates voted in favor of the change.

The university recently conducted a survey asking students about their gender identity and their openness to rooming with students seeking gender-inclusive housing. This pilot program is expected to launch in the 2025-26 academic year.

“Students have the right to be placed in housing that aligns with their gender identity,” a spokesperson for the university told Fox News. “For the past several years, the University’s Residential Living team has partnered with students to identify appropriate on-campus housing for individuals who identify as transgender, non-binary or gender non-conforming on a case-by-case basis.” 

The university also explained that administrators have been working with students to “enhance the process through which students who identify as transgender, non-binary or gender non-conforming can apply for and be placed in campus housing through the university’s online housing portal.” 

“Georgetown deeply values the engagement of our students and appreciates they are making their voices heard on this important topic,” said the spokesperson. “The referendum results provided valuable insight from students to help guide our continued process of engagement around this important issue. Any student referendum provides a sense of the student body’s views on an issue. Student referendums help to express important student perspectives, but do not create University policy and are not binding on the university.”

In the past, Georgetown has also applauded itself as being “among the first” of Catholic/Jesuit institutions to have an LGBTQ Resource Center.

This piece first appeared at TPUSA.