Introduction

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students, staff, and faculty have historically felt unsafe on college and university campuses. LGBTQ students, staff, and faculty often have fears around disclosing information about themselves, and need “safe places” on campus to go when they want to talk with someone in confidence about issues, fears, questions, and concerns. The Safe Zones or Allies projects are offered through educational institutions at all levels to assist LGBTQ people and others in a safe and caring manner. 

LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff often feel invisible on campus and sometimes find the climate uninviting or even hostile. These conditions foil our attempts at fostering student development and growth. A Safe Zones or Allies project is a way to reach out to and include LGBTQ people in all aspects of the campus community.

At the heart of the Safe Zones or Allies projects is a campus-wide network of faculty, staff, and students who serve as the first points of contact for members of the LGBTQ community who have concerns, who need a caring individual with whom to talk, or who may require additional information. Allies are not professional counselors; they are helpful resources.

What Are They?

Unlike more visible under-represented groups on campus, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning  (LGBTQ) students and employees are not easily identified. Similarly, there is no easy method of identifying persons who are supportive of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons and issues. The Safe Zone program provides a way for supportive faculty, staff, and administrators to prominently and non-verbally illustrate that they are a safe contact for LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff, as well as provide support, encouragement, and acceptance of LGBTQ people. 

Safe Zones and Allies are dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding about sexual orientation by providing education and training to the university community and staying informed of relevant political developments. A safe zone or ally program does not only represent a place where people come to talk. Many times the Safe Zone or Ally program is symbolic of a desire to sensitize the culture with tolerance as an initial goal. It is possible an ally may never have a person come to them. 

A safe zone or ally program does not only represent a place where people come to talk. Many times the safe zone or ally program is symbolic of a desire to sensitize the culture with tolerance as an initial goal. It is possible an ally may never have a person come to them. Perceptions that people want to talk about sex are not founded, when in reality they just want to feel safe. 

Many of today’s LGBTQ college students have already “come out,” even during high school where there may have been identified allies and programs for LGBT students. Therefore, today’s LGBTQ college students are often coming to the university with different expectations than those of their predecessors.

Participants receive a “Safe Zone” symbol that serves as a message to LGBTQ students and colleagues that the participants is one who is understanding, supportive, and trustworthy, one to whom an LGBTQ people may go if she or he needs help, advice, or just someone to whom to talk.

Purpose

The Safe Zone Program was created to address the concerns of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally campus community. It is a way to reach out to LGBTQ students and welcome them in all areas of the university. Safe Zones are areas on campus where supportive people provide information and work toward the elimination of myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes while honoring the diversity of all students.

Diversity is not about tolerance. It is about recognizing and valuing the unique and individual contributions that each person brings to the campus. Valuing differences allows for maximum productivity, and effective teaming; it provides individuals with the freedom to create and problem-solve without concerns that they will be judged on anything but their work.

Safe Zones or Allies projects identify “LGBTQ friendly” faculty and staff and students to provide support and resources. It has been implemented at many universities across the United States that helps to accomplish the following goals:
 
Alleviate concerns regarding diversity issues in an ever-changing society

Make faculty aware of and sensitive to diversity issues facing students today

Open channels of communication between faculty and students as they discuss diversity
issues

To create an open-minded environment free of oppression, prejudice, discrimination, and
bigotry

To provide safe spaces on campus that are highly visible and easily identifiable to gay, 
lesbian, bisexual or transgender persons where support and understanding is the key and 
where bigotry and discrimination are not tolerated.

The Safe Zone program helps to identify individuals with whom issues may be discussed safely. It is hoped that the project will promote a general atmosphere of acceptance and respect on campus. 

The Safe Zone program is designed to provide a visible and non-threatening way for faculty/staff to make a statement that understanding and support is offered here. It also shows unsupportive individuals that homophobia, heterosexism, and hostility will not be tolerated.

Safe Zone’s purpose is to reduce homophobia and heterosexism on campus and thereby to make the campus a safer and freer environment for all members of the university community regardless of sexual orientation. Individuals are trained to serve as resources for members of the campus community who are interested in thinking through and becoming more knowledgeable about the diversity of sexual orientation.
 

How Is The Safe Zone Program Set Up?

The Safe Zone project is usually comprised of attendance at training sessions involving diversity issues and the receipt of a Safe Zone sticker for display. The training sessions allow participants to receive references to and information about diversity issues in the campus community. After participants complete the training they receive a Safe Zone sticker that they may display in their office or workplace. The sticker designates the space and the person as being free from prejudice, oppression, and discrimination so that students can feel ‘safe’ to approach them regarding diversity issues.  

Why is training necessary?

The purpose of the training sessions is to make faculty sensitive to diversity issues and to make them aware of issues they may not have encountered. 

As part of the training, you will receive: 

A current membership list
A training calendar
A Resources Guidebook with campus, community, and national information
A Safe Zones identification sticker

The purposes of the training are: 

to raise awareness about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community;  
to raise awareness of the way homophobia effects everyone; 
to explore ways allies on campus may support the LGBT community and each other; and 
to provide an opportunity for each participant to become an Ally.

You do NOT automatically become an ALLY or receive a Safe Zone designation simply by attending the training. You must also sign the ALLIES contract. Participants may consider their decision further and mail in a signed contract at a later date, or receive their placard at the training by turning in the contract immediately. Some participants choose not to become Safe Zones, but hopefully they enjoyed the learning opportunity.

Is the Safe Zone program set up the same way at all universities?

The Safe Zone project varies from campus to campus because it is not a standardized program, but the overall goal is the same. Some universities simply make Safe Zone stickers available to anyone without a training session, and other universities have a separate training session for each diversity issue. Some universities have a Safe Zone program that focuses specifically on one diversity issue, such as LGBT issues, while other universities have Safe Zones for many diversity issues.  

What Do I Need to Do to Be a Safe Zone Participant?
 

1. Believe that the campus is enriched by the presence and diversity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

2. Be aware of the presence of LGBT students and colleagues and engage them in genuine dialogue and interaction.

3. Discuss issues impacting LGBT peoples’ lives in a non-judgmental manner.

4. Assist LGBT students in accessing support and information resources on campus and in the community.

5. Maintain confidentiality within the confines of your job.

6. Comfortably use inclusive language, avoid stereotyping, and do not assume heterosexuality.

7. Maintain professional, clear, and ethical boundaries.

8. Display the Safe Zones symbol in or near your office.

9. Attend the training if one is required.

10. Maintain the resource manual if one is provided.

11. Attend the update sessions if they are offered.

How Can I Get Involved With the Safe Zone Program?

Talk to a Safe Zone member. That’s the person who displays a Safe Zone sticker on the door of their office or residence hall room. That person may be a faculty member, a staff member, or a student, or access the campus Safe Zone web site.

Posting a safe zone sticker may bring a variety of possible reactions from those around you who notice it.  The safe zone sticker might make some people uncomfortable.  There may be times when someone seeks you out to dispute the purpose of safe zones, or to confront you on general issues related to LGBT people.  You do not need to engage in discussion with people who seek to challenge you, safe zones, or LGBT people.  You are there to provide support and resource information, not to defend issues.

While it’s helpful to be aware of these possibilities ahead of time, the following consequences are even more likely.  You may expect to:

- find that LGBT people censor their speech less and are more open with you so that there is more genuine communication between you. 

- find that students and colleagues are more at ease, anticipating a non-judgmental atmosphere in your workspace. 

- find people turning to you for support or information about LGBT issues and concerns. 

- perhaps not notice any difference in the interactions you have with others, but to know that you are making a difference. 

- know that you are making a personal contribution to improving the campus environment. 

Being An Ally For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People

These are some guidelines for people wanting to be allies for LGBT people. In today’s world, LGBT issues are being discussed more than ever before. The discussions taking place in the homes are often highly charged and emotional. This can be a scary topic and confusing to people on a very personal level. Being an ally is important but it can be challenging as well as exciting. This list is by no means exhaustive, but provides a starting point.  Add your own ideas and suggestions.

Don’t assume heterosexuality. In our society, we generally assume that everyone we meet is heterosexual. Often people hide who they really are until they know they are safe to come ‘out’. 

Use gender neutral language when referring to someone’s partner if you don’t know the person well.  In general, be aware of the gender language you use and the implications this language might have. 

Educate yourself about LGBT issues. There are many resources available, reading lists and places to go for information. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  

Explore ways to creatively integrate LGBT issues in your work. Establishing dialogue and educating about LGBT issues in the context of your other work can be a valuable process for everyone regardless of sexual orientation. Integration of LGBT issues into work you are doing instead of separating it out as a separate topic is an important strategy to establishing a safe place for people to talk about many issues in their lives. 

Challenge stereotypes that people may have about LGBT as well as other people in our society. Challenge derogatory remarks and jokes made about any group of people. Avoid making those remarks yourself. Avoid reinforcing stereotypes and prejudices. 

Examine the effect sexual orientation has on people’s lives and development.   Identify how race, religion, class, ability and gender intersect with sexual orientation and how multiple identities shape our lives. 

Avoid the use of heterosexist language, such as making remarks implying that all people of the same gender date or marry members of the other gender. 

Respect how people choose to name themselves. Most people with a same sex or bisexual orientation prefer to be called gay, lesbian or bisexual rather than homosexual. ‘Queer’ is increasingly used by some gay, lesbian or bisexual people (especially in the younger generations), but don’t use it unless you are clear that it is okay with that person. If you don’t know how to identify a particular group, it’s okay to ask. Don’t expect members of any population that is a target of bias (e.g. gays, Jews, people of color, women, people with disabilities) to always be the ‘experts” on issues pertaining to their particular identity group. 

Avoid tokenizing or patronizing individuals from different groups. 

Encourage and allow disagreement on topics of sexual identity and related civil rights. These issues are very highly charged and confusing. If there isn’t some disagreement, it probably means that people are tuned our or hiding their real feelings. Keep disagreement and discussion focused on principles and issues rather than personalities and keep disagreement respectful. 

Remember that you are human. Allow yourself to not know everything, to make mistakes and to occasionally be insensitive. Avoid setting yourself up as an ‘expert’ unless you are one. Give yourself time to learn the issues and ask questions and to explore your own personal feelings. Ask for support if you are getting harassed or problems are surfacing related to your raising issues around sexual orientation. Don’t isolate yourself in these kinds of situations and try to identify your supporters. You may be labeled as gay, lesbian or bisexual, whether you are or not. Use this opportunity to deepen your understanding of the power of homophobia and heterosexism. Make sure you are safe. 

Prepare yourself for a journey of change and growth that will come by exploring sexual identity issues, heterosexism and other issues of difference. This can be a painful, exciting and enlightening process and will help you to know yourself better. By learning and speaking out as an ally, you will be making the world a safer, more affirming place for all. Without knowing it, you may change or even save people’s lives.

Things You Should Know as an Ally
 

The Four Basic Levels of Becoming an Ally

1.  Awareness: Explore how you are different from and similar to LGBT people. Gain this awareness through talking with LGBT people, attending workshops and self-examination.

2.  Knowledge/Education: Begin to understand policies, laws and practices and how they affect gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Educate yourself on the many communities and cultures of LGBT people.

3.  Skills: This is an area which is difficult for many people. You must learn to take your awareness and knowledge and communicate it to others. You can acquire these skills by attending workshops, role-playing with friends or peers, and developing support connections.

4.  Action: This is the most important and frightening step. Despite the fear, action is the only way to effect change in the society as a whole.
 

Five Other Points to Keep in Mind

1.  Have a good understanding of sexual orientation and be comfortable with your own. 

2.  Be aware of the coming-out process and realize that it is not a one-time event. The coming-out process is unique to LGBT people and brings challenges that are not often understood. 

3.  Understand that LGBT people receive the same message about homosexuality and bisexuality as everyone else. Thus LGBT  people suffer from internalized homophobia and heterosexism. It is important to recognize the risks of coming out and to challenge the internal oppression.

4.  Remember that LGBT people are a diverse group. Each community within the larger LGBT community has unique needs and goals.

5.  Know at least basic information about AIDS/HIV in order to address myths and misinformation and to be supportive of those affected by this disease whether in themselves or in partners and friends. While AIDS/HIV is a health issue for all, those who live with the most fear and have lost the most members of their community are LGBT persons.

The Safe Zone Pledge

By participating in the Safe Zone Program, I pledge that my Safe Zone is a place where lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered people, and allies may feel comfortable and safe in a confidential environment; express any issues and concerns in an atmosphere of acceptance and support; access informational and educational resources including: organizations, phone numbers, web sites, and books.

Safe Zone Member Commitment
 

I, ___________________________________, hereby have permission to be imperfect with regard to people who are different from me.  It’s okay that I do not know all the answers about LGBT issues or if, at times, my ignorance and misunderstandings become obvious. I have permission to ask questions.  I have permission to struggle with issues and to be honest about my feelings.

I am, however, committed to educating myself and others about oppression, heterosexism, and homophobia, and to combating them on a personal level.

I am committed to working toward providing a safe, confidential support network for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

I am committed to treating each person with the dignity and respect to which they are entitled as human beings.
 
 

______________________________________  
Signature                           Date
 

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