College dorm rooms go coed at USM

[LostInTime]

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USM launched its gender-neutral housing program in 2004 to offer gay, lesbian and transgender students an alternative housing arrangement on campus.

Now a growing number of students who simply are comfortable living with a friend of the opposite sex, regardless of sexual orientation, are signing up, school officials say.

About 50 men and women now take part in the program, which represents about 3 percent of the school's 1,454 dorm beds, according to the Residential Life Department. The gender-neutral rooms are located in Portland Hall in Portland and Philippi Hall on USM's Gorham campus.