What is Safe Zone?
A UNCG Safe Zone is:
- A Source of Information for new GLBT persons arriving on campus.
- A Source of Social Interaction for GLBT members and allies.
- A Source of Support and Information for parents, family members, and friends of GLBT persons.
- A Source of Education about GLBT issues within the broader campus community.
- A Campus Advocate for GLBT persons.
- A Harbor and Refuge if and when needed.
Furthermore, brown-bag lunches and informative meetings help to reinforce the initial training, to launch new ideas, to discuss areas of concern, and to formulate solutions.
Being an Ally Means… (1)
- Being informed with accurate and current information on GLBT issues.
- Helping to create an atmosphere of safety and support, including how it affects GLBT students and staff.
- Respecting confidentiality concerning questions about GLBT issues.
- Being aware of services available to GLBT youth and adults, including support groups, hotlines, and other community resources.
- Considering to post a Safe Zone members list in their office or department, thus raising student and staff awareness of who is safe or accessible.
- Inviting others to attend Safe Zone training sessions and meetings.
- Continuing to learn about the issues affecting GLBT students, staff, and families through asking questions, ongoing conversations with others, and reading.
- Challenging hate speech, name-calling, harassment, and discrimination, and real or threatened violence as it pertains to GLBT students, faculty, staff, families or those perceived to be GLBT.
An Ally Strives… (2)
- to be an open-minded friend.
- to be willing to talk as well as be a good listener.
- to have his or her own opinions.
- to commit him or herself to personal growth in spite of the discomfort it may sometimes cause.
- to recognize his or her own personal boundaries.
- to confront his or her own prejudices.
- to join others with a common purpose.
- to believe that all persons, regardless of age, sex, race, gender, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation should be treated with dignity and respect.
- to be responsible for empowering his or her role in a community, particularly as it relates to responding to homophobia.
- to support the Safe Zone program of UNCG.
An Ally is NOT…
- expected to have all the answers.
- necessarily a counselor, nor is he or she necessarily trained to deal with crisis situations.
- expected to proceed with an interaction if levels of comfort or personal safety have been violated.
References
- (1) Being an Ally Means…
Adapted from “Safe Staff Roles and Responsibilities” Out for Equity, St. Paul Public Schools Out for Good, Minneapolis Public Schools - (2) An Ally Strives…
Adapted from the National Coming Out Project
