Safe Zone Training

SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE

What is a Safe Zone?

When you display the placard in your work area, what are you communicating or supporting?

It is a space in which people of diverse backgrounds, especially members of the LGBTQ community, are welcome and included.

Allies create these spaces by being open in their support and acting as advocates, in particular for groups that have been marginalized by society.

Safe Zones help to establish a campus as an inclusive educational environment where all members can learn and share new ideas, and where everyone can feel safe to be who they are.

LGBTQ

• LESBIAN

• GAY

• BISEXUAL

• TRANSGENDER

• QUEER/QUESTIONING

Why are Safe Zones important?

Increase the retention and academic success of LGBTQ students, and other students with diverse backgrounds

Foster an inclusive and safe environment

Expose all members of the campus community to new ideas and different world views

Tips that foster an inclusive environment

Don’t rely on stereotypes or make assumptions about someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Keep all information a student communicates verbally or in an assignment confidential.

Be supportive if a student comes out to you. Listen, don’t give advice, and refer the student to appropriate resources.

Use gender neutral language, and include same-sex examples.

Use preferred names and gender pronouns. Ask if you are not sure.

Listen to and validate the experiences of LGBTQ people.

LGBTQ Resources

Student Psychological Services – Plover Hall, Santa Rosa

Student Psychological Services – Richard Call Building, Petaluma

United Sexualities and Genders (Student Club) – Bertolini

Positive Images (off-campus) in Santa Rosa

Being an Ally

An ally is someone who works to end oppression through support and advocacy of an oppressed group.

Learn about LGBTQ – attend LGBTQ events, read LGBTQ books and articles, see LGBTQ films, join an LGBTQ and allies group, attend workshops and trainings on LGBTQ related topics.

Speak out against homophobia.

Display the Safe Zone placard in your work area.