"If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."
— John F. Kennedy, 1963
The purpose of Safe Zone is to reduce homophobia and heterosexism on the VCU campus, thereby to make our campus a safer and freer environment for all members of our community regardless of sexual orientation. Safe Zone prepares members of the campus community, primarily faculty and staff, to serve as a resource on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues, and also strives to educate the campus community about the Safe Zone program. Although transgender refers to gender identity and not necessarily sexual orientation, this is also a sexual minority group that is unfairly discriminated against, and therefore is included in the Safe Zone program.
What it means to be a Safe Zone participant
- Be open to questions from and about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their issues. Questions may come from students who identify as LGBT or are questioning their sexual orientation. Additionally, questions may come from students who are heterosexual and who are disturbed by the presence of an LGBT person in their classes, residence hall or family. Colleagues also may have questions.
- Support policies that bring equity to otherwise inequitable situations and give open support for LGBT issues.
- Encourage others to become a part of Safe Zone. The more willing people are to talk about these issues with facts and openness, the safer our campus will become for LGBT people.
How to participate in the Safe Zone Program
- Attend a Creating a Safe Zone Workshop, which examines attitudes and beliefs, raises awareness, builds skills, and offers resources
- After attending workshop, display Safe Zone sticker
Click here to register for the "How to Create a Safe Zone" workshop.
The Purpose of the Safe Zone Sticker
- The sticker helps to convey a message that you are supportive, trustworthy and sensitive to the needs and concerns of LGBT people.
- The sticker indicates that, within your office or room, homophobic and heterosexist comments and actions will not be tolerated silently, but instead will be addressed in an educational, informative and non-threatening manner.
- The sticker does not indicate whether you are or are not LGBT; it merely states that you are a support and resource person (in other words, an ally).
The Meaning of the Pink Triangle
- The sticker 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.”
- In the 1970s the LGBT community embraced the pink triangle as a symbol of pride and solidarity. It is also a reminder of oppression and persecution that happened in the past and continues to happen in the present.
Commitment
- The length of your commitment to Safe Zone is up to you.
- As long as you want to participate, display your sticker on your door or within your office. If you decide to discontinue your participation, simply remove your sticker. There will be no questions asked. You may request to re-affiliate at any time.
Being an ally can be tough at times. Your genuine dedication to this program, no matter what its length, will create a positive space within your community.
Adapted by Martha Ann Spruill from the University of Richmond Safe Zone Information Handbook, January 27, 2000.