Safe Zone Trainings for Faculty and Staff

There are two upcoming Safe Zone trainings for interested faculty and staff members. The first will take place from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Feb. 28 in the University Art Gallery in Ophelia Parrish. The second is from 3-5 p.m. March 2 in McClain Hall 208. Those interested in participating can register here.

The Safe Zone program was created to have a network of knowledgeable faculty and staff in order to create safe and welcoming environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) people. Completing the training and displaying a Safe Zone sign indicates participants are committed to increasing their knowledge of LGBTQ issues and challenging homophobic and heterosexist comments or behaviors in an educational and informative manner.  

Safe Zone members are able to provide assistance as needed, including referrals to University Counseling Services. Summer Pennell, assistant professor of English education and longtime LGBTQ education activist, along with student interns, will lead this interactive training. Participants will learn current terminology and simple ways to create a welcoming campus environment.