A recent survey from the Art & Science Group reveals that college applicants are increasingly ruling out universities based on the political climate of the states in which they reside. The LGBTQ students are especially vigilant. Over a quarter of applicants that is 28 percent admitted they "exclude schools solely based on political considerations in the state where the institution is located." Texas stands out as the most rejected state, with both liberal and moderate students dismissing it. The survey indicates that students' decisions often align with their political affiliations: conservative students are more inclined to rule out states like New York and California, while liberal students are likely to exclude Florida, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Moderates also showed a tendency to avoid California, Florida, and New York. However, queer students specifically demonstrated a greater likelihood of excluding schools in states like Florida due to the political context of their locations. Florida has recently been criticized for its anti-LGBTQ legislation and other controversial policies proposed and passed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. Rebekah, a 17-year-old transgender girl from New Jersey, expressed her concerns to The Advocate regarding the impact of anti-LGBTQ laws on her college search. As she considers her options, she mentioned, “It's been really interesting to see how my peers go about this college finding process, because they don't really have to think about their safety as much.” #Queer Up Social Justice