For Allies: Safe Zone
The
purpose of Safe Zone is to create a network of allies for lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students, and by doing so, to make the
University community a safer and more supportive place. The Safe Zone
program is a symbol of this University's efforts to increase awareness
and acceptance of the LGBT community. Safe Zone ally trainings are open
to faculty, staff, and students and are held throughout the year. Allies
receive a Safe Zone sign to display in their offices and living space.
Goals & Objectives of Safe Zone
Allies develop:
- A deeper awareness of personal ideas, stereotypes, and assumptions related to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons
- An increased comfort level in addressing LGBT issues such as "coming out" and heterosexism/homophobia
- An increased awareness of services on campus that support LGBT students
- A network of community and campus staff, faculty, and students to support LGBT persons on campus
Become a Safe Zone Ally
All UNC faculty, staff, and students are eligible to become Safe Zone allies. Training takes place several times a semester. At the end of the training, you will be asked if you wish to become an ally, if you are willing to have your name published on the website and other publications, and if you wish to join the Safe Zone ally listserv.
Fall 2006 Safe Zone Ally Trainings
| Date | Time |
| Wednesday, January 30th | 3 - 7pm |
| Tuesday, February 21st | 1 - 5 pm |
| Thursday, March 25th | 4 - 8 pm |
In order to attend a Safe Zone training, you must register beforehand and must be able to attend the FULL training. To preserve the integrity of the training participants cannot arrive late or leave early. If you would like to be placed on the interest list for future trainings, please email Joseph Lee at jose.lee@unc.edu. In your email, please include your name, email address, your department, classification (faculty, staff, undergraduate, or graduate student) and the safe zone training date in which you are interested. This information will be kept confidential. For more information, please call the LGBT Office at 843-5376 and ask to speak to Joseph Lee, Danny DePuy, or Terri Phoenix.
A Few Pointers for Safe Zone Allies
- Be comfortable with your own identity.
- Remember, heterosexist attitudes were taught to us all, so be gentle with yourself.
- Build relationships with other allies:
- Use the safe zone web site.
- Use the listserves so you can contact everyone easily.
- Share concerns and consult with everyone. You are not expected to be an expert, just a supportive listener with great resources.
- Heterosexual allies are members of the majority group, and with that comes power to make changes. Use it!
- LBGT issues are not always sad ones. A student may come to you just to share joy and excitement with someone. Enjoy yourself and the people you meet.
- You may also have heterosexual students come to you for information on LBGT issues. What an educational opportunity!
- You may have parents of students contact you. Remember:
- You should NEVER disclose information about a student to ANYONE.
- You may provide a list of resources to families of LGBT students as long as you have the student’s permission. For example, phone numbers of PFLAG, support groups, or good books (see the back of the Safe Zone manual and the Student Affairs Web site).
- BE CAREFUL! The only thing you can do is encourage family communication.
To learn more about Safe Zone or to become an ally, please contact Safe Zone coordinator Terri Phoenix.
