1. Safe Zone Training SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE

2. What is a Safe Zone?

3. 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.

4. LGBTQ L ESBIAN G AY B ISEXUAL T RANSGENDER Q UEER/ Q UESTIONING

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.