The Safe Zone Training Manual: About Safe Zone

Statement of Purpose

 

“Safe Zone Virginia” is a project sponsored by the Virginia Association of College and University Housing Officers (VACUHO) Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues Task Force.  Part of the mission of the VACUHO Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues Task Force is “…to enhance the campus climates in the state of Virginia, concerning gay, lesbian, bisexual and ally issues.”  The Safe Zone Virginia project is a direct response to the need for such enhancement.  The purpose of this program is to reduce homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism on our campus and thereby to make our campus a safer and freer environment for all members of our community regardless of sexual orientation.  By agreeing to become a participant in Safe Zone Virginia, you have agreed to undergo training and to serve as a resource for people seeking clarification of issues of sexual diversity.

 

The Safe Zone Virginia pin, which you are asked to display on your office doors or bulletin board, helps to convey a message that you are supportive, trustworthy, and sensitive to the needs and concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.  In addition, the pin indicates that within your office homophobic, transphobia and heterosexist comments and actions (both are defined in this packet) will not be tolerated but will be addressed in an educational, informative, and non-threatening manner.  The pin does not indicate whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender; it merely states that you are GLBT-affirming or GLBT-friendly (in other words, an ally).

 

The Safe Zone Virginia pin bears the pink triangle, a symbol used during World War II by the Nazis to label gay men who were sent to concentration camps to be exterminated as part of Hitler’s “Final Solution.”  The pin also bears the program name: “Safe Zone Virginia.”  VACUHO’s name does not appear on the pin, because it is hoped and intended that this program will continue to spread beyond housing officers to include allies among other student affairs professionals and university community members.  The William and Mary Chapter is sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Faculty Staff Caucus.

 

The Safe Zone Virginia project is intended to be an on-going educational process for everyone involved.  Upon agreeing to participate in Safe Zone Virginia, you received this packet of information about GLBT history and culture, the development of gay, lesbian, and bisexual identities, the history of transgender identities, issues facing non-heterosexual and gender non-normative youth, laws affecting the lives of GLBT people, and the ways you as a member of this campus community can be more supportive.  Please feel free to suggest additions or changes to this manual.  The VACUHO Task Force will continue to urge its Association to support program topics in this area in order to provide further avenues for education and will serve as a reference for anyone who has questions, wants on-campus speakers, or is looking for other resources on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues.

 

Your main responsibility as a Safe Zone Virginia participant is to be open to questions from and about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.  Most such questions will probably come from students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or unsure of their sexual orientation or gender identity, but some questions may come from heterosexual colleagues and students who are disturbed by the presence of a non-heterosexual person in their classes, residence hall, or family.  Please use and share the information in this packet when talking with anyone about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues.  Where possible, support policies that bring equity to otherwise inequitable situations and give open support for GLBT issues.  Encourage supportive staff and faculty to become a part of Safe Zone Virginia.  The more people are willing to talk about these issues with facts and openness, the safer our campus will become for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

 

The length of your commitment to Safe Zone Virginia is up to you.  As long as you want to participate, display your pin in your office.  If you decide to discontinue your participation, simply take down your pin and inform the Board secretary.  There will be no questions asked.  Your genuine dedication to this program, no matter what its length, will create a positive space within your community.

 

This manual adapted from the manual of the University of Richmond’s Chapter of Safe Zone Virginia.