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Stony Brook University offers gender-neutral dorms
Posted: Updated:Students began moving into their dorms Friday at Stony Brook University, and a growing number are choosing to live in gender-neutral housing.
Senior Derrick Wegner says he was a bit nervous when he first arrived at the school. As a transgender man, he says he was relieved to find gender-inclusive housing on campus.
"You're just accepted into this community that's already prepared for you," he says.
Stony Brook has had a gender-neutral housing program for 10 years. What started as a small program has grown to include about 200 students.
School officials say gender-inclusive housing is for everyone, meaning anyone of any gender can share the same dorm room. Even relatives of different genders can share the same suite.
Students must meet two requirements to participate in the program: they must be 18 years old and have to sign a contract agreeing to respect the gender identities of their neighbors.
For his senior year, Wegner is working as a resident advisor to make sure other students adjust to campus life, no matter their identity.
Long Island Top StoriesMore>>
DA: Hempstead police officer stole funds from FD, falsified records
DA: Hempstead police officer stole funds from FD, falsified records
A Hempstead Village police office and a member of the Hempstead School Board was arraigned on a 13-count indictment Wednesday morning inside a Mineola courtroom.
Randy Stith turned himself in to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office for allegedly misappropriating public money.
Randy Stith turned himself in to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office for allegedly misappropriating public money.
NTSB takes over probe of Lynbrook LIRR platform death
NTSB takes over probe of Lynbrook LIRR platform death
The federal government is taking over the investigation into the death of a man at the Long Island Rail Road station in Lynbrook.
The federal government is taking over the investigation into the death of a man at the Long Island Rail Road station in Lynbrook.
The federal government is taking over the investigation into the death of a man at the Long Island Rail Road station in Lynbrook.
April 2018 special election results
April 2018 special election results
Island Vote 2018
Special elections were held to fill vacancies in three state Assembly districts on Long Island.
Special elections were held to fill vacancies in three state Assembly districts on Long Island.
Testimony continues in Mangano-Venditto corruption trial
Testimony continues in Mangano-Venditto corruption trial
Newsday's Nicole Fuller talks to News 12 about Wednesday's developments in the Mangano-Venditto federal corruption trial outside the Central Islip courthouse.
Gov. Cuomo sends cease-and-desist letter to ICE over raids
Gov. Cuomo sends cease-and-desist letter to ICE over raids
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is warning the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement about raids it conducts in New York.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is warning the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement about raids it conducts in New York.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is warning the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement about raids it conducts in New York.
Medical marijuana dispensary seeks parking variance in Carle Place
Medical marijuana dispensary seeks parking variance in Carle Place
A medical marijuana dispensary company went before the Town of North Hempstead Zoning Appeals Board Wednesday to seek a parking variance for its Carle Place location.
A medical marijuana dispensary company went before the Town of North Hempstead Zoning Appeals Board Wednesday to seek a parking variance for its Carle Place location.
A medical marijuana dispensary company went before the Town of North Hempstead Zoning Appeals Board Wednesday to seek a parking variance for its Carle Place location.
NY balance of power could shift after Dems win special elections
NY balance of power could shift after Dems win special elections
A pair of Democrats won their special elections in Westchester and the Bronx Tuesday, which could begin to shift control of the state Senate away from Republicans.
A pair of Democrats won their special elections in Westchester and the Bronx Tuesday, which could begin to shift control of the state Senate away from Republicans.
A pair of Democrats won their special elections in Westchester and the Bronx Tuesday, which could begin to shift control of the state Senate away from Republicans.
Town of Babylon approves vaping ban for public parks
Town of Babylon approves vaping ban for public parks
E-cigarette smoking in public parks is no longer welcome in the Town of Babylon.
E-cigarette smoking in public parks is no longer welcome in the Town of Babylon.
E-cigarette smoking in public parks is no longer welcome in the Town of Babylon.
E-cigarette smoking in public parks is no longer welcome in the Town of Babylon.
Federal judge rules against Trump administration on DACA
Federal judge rules against Trump administration on DACA
A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA - the Obama-era program that currently protects about 700,000 people brought to the U.S. as children.
A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA - the Obama-era program that currently protects about 700,000 people brought to the U.S. as children.
A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA - the Obama-era program that currently protects about 700,000 people brought to the U.S. as children.
Business Briefs: WhatsApp, gun emoji, Amazon Alexa
Business Briefs: WhatsApp, gun emoji, Amazon Alexa
WhatsApp is raising its age limit overseas. The gun debate continues... but this time, over emojis. And Amazon Alexa wants to sit at the kids table.
WhatsApp is raising its age limit overseas. The gun debate continues... but this time, over emojis. And Amazon Alexa wants to sit at the kids table.
EducationMore>>
Wild bus ride on senior trip to DC startles students
Wild bus ride on senior trip to DC startles students
A senior trip to the nation's capital over the weekend included a wild bus ride for some students from Sachem High School North.
A senior trip to the nation's capital over the weekend included a wild bus ride for some Long Island high school students.
A senior trip to the nation's capital over the weekend included a wild bus ride for some Long Island high school students.
Suffolk Community College students could see tuition hike
Suffolk Community College students could see tuition hike
A proposed tuition hike could result in Suffolk County Community College students paying an extra $300 next year.
A proposed tuition hike could result in Suffolk County Community College students paying an extra $300 next year.
A proposed tuition hike could result in Suffolk County Community College students paying an extra $300 next year.
East Rockaway school implements clear backpack policy
East Rockaway school implements clear backpack policy
Students at East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School will now have to use clear backpacks in school in the wake of the Parkland school massacre on Valentine’s Day.
Students at East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School will now have to use clear backpacks in school in the wake of the Parkland school massacre on Valentine’s Day.
Students at East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School will now have to use clear backpacks in school in the wake of the Parkland school massacre on Valentine’s Day.
Students at East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School will now have to use clear backpacks in school in the wake of the Parkland school massacre on Valentine’s Day.
Hempstead SD passes $215M budget proposal
Hempstead SD passes $215M budget proposal
The proposed budget is not expected to increase taxes for homeowners.
The proposed budget is not expected to increase taxes for homeowners.
The proposed budget is not expected to increase taxes for homeowners.
The proposed budget is not expected to increase taxes for homeowners.
Robotics competition held at Hofstra University
Robotics competition held at Hofstra University
Teams of students from Long Island and all over the world gathered at Hofstra University Saturday to show off robots that they created in just six weeks.
Teams of students from Long Island and all over the world gathered at Hofstra University Saturday to show off robots that they created in just six weeks.
Teams of students from Long Island and all over the world gathered at Hofstra University Saturday to show off robots that they created in just six weeks.
Teams of students from Long Island and all over the world gathered at Hofstra University Saturday to show off robots that they created in just six weeks.
Hempstead superintendent eyes $215M budget, no tax increase
Hempstead superintendent eyes $215M budget, no tax increase
Hempstead's school board debated a new budget Thursday night as the embattled district faces concerns about cost and attention from the state.
Hempstead's school board debated a new budget Thursday night as the embattled district faces concerns about cost and attention from the state.
Hempstead's school board debated a new budget Thursday night as the embattled district faces concerns about cost and attention from the state.
New state tests hope to prevent massive opt-outs
New state tests hope to prevent massive opt-outs
Thousands of students in grades 3-8 across Long Island Wednesday took the new English language arts state tests under a new series of rules.
Thousands of students in grades 3-8 across Long Island Wednesday took the new English language arts state tests under a new series of rules.
Thousands of students in grades 3-8 across Long Island Wednesday took the new English language arts state tests under a new series of rules.
Thousands of students in grades 3-8 across Long Island Wednesday took the new English language arts state tests under a new series of rules.
State tests begin at some Long Island school districts
State tests begin at some Long Island school districts
State tests are beginning today in school districts across Long Island.
State tests began Tuesday in school districts across Long Island.
State tests began Tuesday in school districts across Long Island.
School board member ‘likes’ post depicting shooting survivor as Nazi
School board member ‘likes’ post depicting shooting survivor as Nazi
Some parents in Massapequa told News 12 that they are outraged after a school board member “liked” a social media post that depicted a Parkland, Florida, school shooting survivor in a Hitler Youth uniform.
Some parents in Massapequa told News 12 that they are outraged after a school board member “liked” a social media post that depicted a Parkland, Florida, school shooting survivor in a Hitler Youth uniform.
Some parents in Massapequa told News 12 that they are outraged after a school board member “liked” a social media post that depicted a Parkland, Florida, school shooting survivor in a Hitler Youth uniform.
Some parents in Massapequa told News 12 that they are outraged after a school board member “liked” a social media post that depicted a Parkland, Florida, school shooting survivor in a Hitler Youth uniform.
Board votes to shutter historic New Suffolk School
Board votes to shutter historic New Suffolk School
A historic East End school is expected to close due to financial issues.
A historic East End school is expected to close due to financial issues.
SlideshowsSlideshowsMore>>
Global Premiere for 'Avengers: Infinity War'
Global Premiere for 'Avengers: Infinity War'
The Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios? "Avengers: Infinity War" on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
The Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios? "Avengers: Infinity War" on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
The Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Infinity War" was on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
The Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Infinity War" was on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
President Trump hosts 1st state dinner
President Trump hosts 1st state dinner
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron for the state dinner during visit to the White House.
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron for the state dinner during visit to the White House.
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron for the state dinner during visit to the White House.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome baby boy
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome baby boy
It's the third child for Kate and Prince William, and he's fifth in line to the British throne.
It's the third child for Kate and Prince William, and he's fifth in line to the British throne.
Photos: Mother's Day gifts 2018
Photos: Mother's Day gifts 2018
News 12 Long Island's Elizabeth Hashagen is joined by Newsday's Valerie Kellogg who has a list of Mother's Day gifts.
News 12 Long Island's Elizabeth Hashagen is joined by Newsday's Valerie Kellogg who has a list of Mother's Day gifts.
News 12 Long Island's Elizabeth Hashagen is joined by Newsday's Valerie Kellogg who has a list of Mother's Day gifts.
News 12 Long Island's Elizabeth Hashagen is joined by Newsday's Valerie Kellogg who has a list of Mother's Day gifts.
Guide: National park sites in the tristate area
Guide: National park sites in the tristate area
Statue of Liberty
A guide to the national park sites and trails on Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
A guide to the national park sites and trails on Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
2018 Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill lineup
2018 Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill lineup
LIT will perform as part of the Loudwire's Gen-X Summer on Thursday, July 26 at 6 p.m. Other performers include Buckcherry, POD and Alien Ant Farm.
A look at the performers coming to the Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill in 2018.
A look at the performers coming to the Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill in 2018.
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
Students organize walkouts over gun violence
Students organize walkouts over gun violence
Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida.
Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. The protests were chosen to line up with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. The protests were chosen to line up with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
Dog Day Fridays for April 20
Dog Day Fridays for April 20
Lizzy is a Retriever, Shepherd mix. She is only 2 years old and has all the makings of a great family dog. She appears to be good with children and other dogs.
Pet Peeves, an organization that donates and helps support shelters, and Last Hope Animal Rescue visited the News 12 Long Island studios with three adorable dogs this week.
Pet Peeves, an organization that donates and helps support shelters, and Last Hope Animal Rescue visited the News 12 Long Island studios with three adorable dogs this week.
Fire destroys businesses in Babylon Village
Fire destroys businesses in Babylon Village
Fire destroys businesses in Babylon Village
Fire officials believe the fire began at Empire Nutrition, which was slated to have its grand opening Thursday.
Fire officials believe the fire began at Empire Nutrition, which was slated to have its grand opening Thursday.
