Most colleges and universities have safe zone programs where they create safe zones for Faculty, Staff and Students who are GLBTA.  This is a great idea and concept.  Indiana University and Purdue University have taken this one step further by recognizing all parts of diversity including GLBTA.  http://www.residentassistant.com/reslifepro fully recognizes this program and encourages it nation-wide.  Here is some information on how to start your own all inclusive safe zone program:
 
 

This zone is declared safe! Regardless of race, ethnicity, national orgin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and ability, you will be treated and respected as a human being. Ignorance, bigotry, and harassment will not be tolerated.

How can you get involved with the Safe Zone sticker project?

The easiest way to get involved is to get one of our stickers, window clings, or bumper stickers and display it. Yoy can get stickers from the OUT Office (Union Building), GLBT Office, La Casa, Asian Cultural Center, IUSA office (Union Building), or any any CUE in the residence halls.
Put the Safe Zone logo on your website.
 
 
 
 
 

This sign represents a safe zone that has been created out of the support of organizations and businesses who feel it is important to be accepted and respectful of all peoples. The alliance created will actively discourage any activity of a discriminatory nature. This sign was created to address the needs of all members of the Purdue University and Greater Lafayette communities. The acceptance of this sticker means support of the statment in its entirety. It is used as a supplement to the Purdue University programs and Lafayette and West Lafayette Human Relations Ordinance's already in existence.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The SafeZone Sign is Sponsored by:
Purdue LesBiGay NETWORK
With Support by:

Purdue Student Government (PSG)
 Interfraternity Council (IFC)
 Black Cultural Center (BCC)

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
 Panhellenic Association
 Purdue Diversity Resource Office

Purdue Women's Studies Program
 St. Thomas Acquinas Center
 Wesley Foundation

Shalom United Church of Christ
 Unitarian Universalist Church
 Purdue Hillel Foundation

Deans Office, School of Liberal Arts
 Chauncey Hill Partnership
 Purdue Women's Studies Program

Citizens for Civil Rights (CCR)
 Student Health Center (PUSH)
 West Lafayette Human Relations Commission

Purdue Univeristy Office of the Dean of Students
   Purdue University Residence Halls and Graduate Houses

What is the Safe Zone Project?
The Safe Zone project is a program that 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

How is the program set up?
The Safe Zone project currently under way at UT Martin is comprised of two steps: attendance at two training sessions involving diversity issues and receipt of a Safe Zone sticker for display. The training sessions will allow participants to receive references to and information about diversity issues such as GLBT issues, age, ability, gender, cultural identity, and spirituality. During the spring semester of 1999 we will have two identical training sessions regarding GLBT issues, age, and ability. After faculty complete one of these training sessions they will receive a Safe Zone sticker that they can display in their office or workplace which designates it as free of prejudice, oppression, and discrimination so that students can feel 'safe' to approach them regarding these diversity issues. During the fall semester of 1999 we will also have two more identical training sessions involving gender, cultural identity, and spirituality. Faculty that have a Safe Zone sticker are expected to attend one of these training sessions as well to complete their participation requirements for the program.
Why are these training sessions necessary?
ALLIES is hosting these training sessions not only to make faculty sensitive to diversity issues but also to make them aware of issues they may not have encountered. Just because someone is willing to participate in this program does not mean that they are know of all of the issues that exist.
Is the Safe Zone program set up the same way at other 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 GLBT issues, and other universities have Safe Zones for many diversity issues. ALLIES chose the topics of GLBT issues, age, ability, gender, cultural identity, and spirituality because: 1. These are all issues that we feel are of much concern to students today, 2. These issues are most correlated with Equal Opportunity laws, and 3. It is a goal of ALLIES as an organization to learn about other issues besides GLBT issues.
Is anyone else sponsoring the program?
As of right now ALLIES is the sole sponsor of the program. The UTM Counseling Center has helped us to formulate the structure of the program, and it has offered its support and enthusiasm, for which we are very grateful. The Counseling Center will be assisting us in conducting the training sessions and providing resources to get the project underway. We hope that once Safe Zones are instituted at UTM, other organizations will be willing to participate.
Where can I get more information about the Safe Zone project?
You may e-mail us at allies@mars.utm.edu if you have a question or concern about the Safe Zone program. Below are links to other universities that have instituted Safe Zones.
 
 

 “Human Circumstance” can be defined as any characteristic that Homo Sapiens have.  More specifically it is an individual’s sexual/affectional orientation, political perspective/affiliation, religious/spiritual belief, gender, race, creed, natural origin, age, ability, ethnicity, public assistance status, veteran status, marital status, ancestry, physical ability, or culinary preference, etc.

What can an Ally do?

? Don’t assume everyone is in the majority human circumstance group, likewise do not assume that anyone is in the minority human circumstance group.
? Avoid engaging in and confront anti-human circumstance jokes and remarks whenever possible.
? Acquaint yourself with any minority human circumstance community.
? Create an atmosphere of acceptance.
? Make yourself a resource for referral to individuals and groups.
? Join organizations that address multicultural and diversity issues (i.e. organizations with minority human circumstances).
? Educate people around you.
? Be a positive role model by avoiding the use of pronouns that assume the gender, sexual orientation, political perspective/affiliation, religious/spiritual belief, race, creed, natural origin, age, disability, ethnicity, public assistance status, veteran status, marital status, or culinary preference, etc.
? If you’re an Ally, and support all human circumstances and their rights, display this card on the door of your room or office.  Show that you provide a safe space.

A Safe Zone Ally…

? Is a safe person for anybody to share his or her human circumstance with.
? Has good intentions that can be seen and felt.
? Doesn’t depend on just one person to represent an entire group.
? Can hear a variety of opinions within a group or community.
? Can see the similarities and differences between all people and other forms of oppression.
? Is consistently supportive.
? Is beyond tolerant; s/he is supportive, understanding, and accepting.
? Is not expecting rewards or forgiveness.
? Is not motivated by guilt
? Is willing to admit s/he doesn’t know everything.
? Knows when to speak up, and when not to.
? Is willing to examine the majority privilege and possibly make sacrifices because he/she believes in human circumstantial rights.
? Is comfortable with his/her discomfort at being assumed of having a minority human circumstance.
 

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Department of Residence Life thanks the University of Northern Iowa, University of Vermont, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Carleton University. Much of this text was revised from the “Safe Person Safe Place GLBT Campaign” to include all human circumstances including sexual/affectional orientation.
 

Being an ally is the process of working to develop

individual attitudes, institutions and a culture in which

people who are different feel they matter. This work is

motivated by an enlightened self interest

to end oppression.
 
 

- J. Jay Scott and Vernon Wall, 1991
 
 

Residence Life and the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay Alliance (LBGA) are proud to offer our ALLY/Safe Space Program to the NAU campus. The purpose of the program is to increase awareness and understanding of gay, lesbian, and bisexual issues. It also provides training for students and staff in supporting community members who experience difficulties with overt oppression or simply fitting in due to their sexual orientation.

As an ALLY, trainees are asked to display a card in their offices or on their desks to show their support and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual students. Participants self-select to become an ALLY, and are then expected to welcome students and staff to be open and honest about their homosexuality or bisexuality without fear of repercussions and to make their living environment free of sexual bias and homophobia.

The content on these pages was originally provided by Brian C. Steinberg, the founder of http://www.theallygroup.org and http://www.safezoneforall.com (Creater of the previous: http://www.residentassistant.com/reslifepro)

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