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What is a Safe Zone? Typically, Safe Zone programs
are found on university and college campuses; however they are also found in high schools, in some churches and
communities. Safe Zones provide safe spaces that are highly visible and easily identifiable to lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender (LGBT) persons, where support and understanding is the key and where bigotry and discrimination are not tolerated.
Safe Zones are commonly identified as "ally" programs, where
members of the LGBT community recieve support from and work together with heterosexual supporters, friends and allies.
GSA's (gay-staright alliances) are another example of an ally program.
A number of college and universities have implemented educational
interventions with names such as Safe Zone, Safe Space, Safe Harbor, and Safe On Campus. Although it is unclear who first
conceived of the "Safe" idea, the earliest found is the Ball State University program called SAFE On Campus (1992) or Staff,
Administration, and Faculty for Equality On Campus which was implemented during the 1992-1993 academic year by the Lesbian,
Bisexual, and Gay Student Association. Since published information has been previously unavailable then these "Safe" programs
have probably been based on little knowledge or experience. The hallmark of these "Safe" programs is the public identification
of allies by placing a "Safe" symbol, usually incorporating a pink triangle or rainbow, on office doors or within living spaces.
Student affairs professionals, administrators, and faculty
only recently have begun to recognize the potential the development of heterosexual allies has for making the culture of a
college or university campus more tolerant towards gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) students. Program interventions
designed specifically for allies, such as Safe Zone, address the development of heterosexual allies while providing
support to GLBT students. Typical components of these ally programs consist of a resource manual and sticker or sign. Some
programs go as far as to require an orientation or training session(s) of varying length. Other components may include a listserv,
advisory board/committee, web page resources, assessment, periodic socials, and identifying objects such as key chains, buttons,
and pens.
Each Safe Zone program defines it's purpose, mission and
goals. Here are exmples of some mission statements that further explain what a Safe Zone program is and what the program
can accomplish:
- Safe Zone's purpose is to reduce homophobia 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. We train individual students and faculty and staff members to serve as resources for members of the campus
community who are interested in thinking through and becoming more knowledgeable about diversity of sexual orientation. We
also organize and sponsor educational programs for campus groups. --University of Richmond Chapter of Safe
Zone Virginia
- The purpose of the SAFE ZONE program is to provide SAFE ZONES
where members of our campus community can show their support for individuals affected by homophobia, hate, sexual violence.
By placing the SAFE ZONE symbol on their door or showing the symbol to others, SAFE ZONE allies signify that their space is
a safe place to talk about issues which impact people who have been affected by any type of hate/hate crime, LGBT individuals,
and women who are affected by sexual violence/sexual harassment, and related issues. --Kansas State University
- 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. --University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill
Safe Zone For All is an
all-inclusive ally safe zone program developed by the Ally Group. They offer a number of resources for starting a Safe
Zone program and also provide a number of training opportunities through the National Ally Training Group. Visit the
following links for more imformation. (use your web browser's "back" button to return to the Safe Zone
Foundation Web Site).
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Resources To Create Your Own Safe Zone Program |
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Safe Zone For All also offers these following resources:
Additional Resources for Starting a Safe Zone Project
 The National Consortium of LGBT Directors in Higher Education has an excellent overview of Safe Zone Projects
in their Frequently Asked Questions section, click here.
Lambda 10 also provides a manual for creating Safe Zones and Ally programs for Fraternities
and Sororities, click here.
Iowa State recently conducted an evaluation of their Safe Zone Project, click here.
Duke University’s SAFE on Campus web site includes their extensive resource
manual, click here.
Western Michigan University Safe Zone web site also includes their resource manual, click here.
The College of William and Mary Safe Zone program web site has many great resources including an online copy of the
SAFE ZONE TRAINING MANUAL developed by “Safe Zone Virginia," a project sponsored by the Virginia
Association of College and University Housing Officers (VACUHO), click here.
For more information on the Safe Zone Project at the University of Southern Maine, click here.
Many other colleges and universities provide information on their web sites about their Ally programs
so do an internet search and see what else you can find. See "examples of successful Safe Zone programs" by clicking
on one of the many links below.
Sacred Heart University, located in Fairfield, Connecticut, has an active Safe Zone Program. The University
developed a "Task Force Against Homophobia" which oversees the Safe Zone Program. The goal of the Task Force is to increase
the awareness and sensitivity of GLBT Issues facing the campus community, and in doing so, combat the stigmas of homophobia
while creating a safe and welcoming environment for the entire community.
The task force publishes a Safe Zone manual. A copy of this manual is provided to all volunteers, faculty
members, staff and students participating in the Safe Zone program. Download a copy of the manual by clicking the link
below. This manual can be adapted to meet the needs of the Safe Zone program at your school or in your community.
click here to download file
The Safe Zone program at Sacred Heart University offers a number of online resources on their website.
Click the link below for more information.
Each Safe Zone program is encouraged to devlop a unique
logo. This logo is used on flyers, buttons, program materials and most commonly, on stickers or posters to help
identify participating Safe Zone program memebers. There isn't one standard logo that is universally used. However,
some organizations do make their logo and stickers available to other groups. For more information on ordering stickers
or for ideas on designing your own logo, click on the link below:
The Safe Zone Foundation offers small grants to non-profit
organiztions, schools, student groups and community organizations that serve the LGBT community. We do give out small
grants that can be used for starting new programs. Our deadline for the 2004/5 school year has come and gone already
and our RFP for 2005/6 comes out in January with the deadline for applications April 30, 2005. We make our awards by
July 1 so that the money is ready by the start of the school year. Check back for updates regarding our next funding
cycle.
OTHER FUNDING IDEAS
Campus Pride offers a number of helpful resources. Click on the links in the table below:
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Tips for Fundraising
Raising money for your student organization can be fun
and very rewarding. Fundraising for any student group can be challenging. In some cases, finding money for a GLBT Queer student
group has it’s own challenges.
READ ARTICLE
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Planning with PRIDE
Remember that your money can go further by planning
ahead, thinking creatively and calling different agencies and speakers. Here's some facts to
get you on your way...
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Handouts & Videos
Educational programs require handouts and audiovisual
material. These materials focus on making your job as a LGBTA leader easier and more effective.
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Click HERE for a listing of schools and organizations we have assisted.
Click on any of the logos below to visit that organization's
website to learn more about their successful Safe Zone program.
If you need more information or have any questions, please concact the Safe Zone Foundation.
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