What is a Safe Zone Ally?
Being an Ally Means... (1)
- Being informed with accurate and current information on GLBT issues.
- Helping to create an atmosphere of safety and support, including how it affects GLBT students and staff.
- Respecting confidentiality concerning questions about GLBT issues.
- Being aware of services available to GLBT youth and adults, including support groups, hotlines, and other community resources.
- Considering to post a Safe Zone members list in their office or department, thus raising student and staff awareness of who is safe or accessible.
- Inviting others to attend Safe Zone training sessions and meetings.
- Continuing to learn about the issues affecting GLBT students, staff, and families through asking questions, ongoing conversations with others, and reading.
- Challenging hate speech, name-calling, harassment, and discrimination, and real or threatened violence as it pertains to GLBT students, faculty, staff, families or those perceived to be GLBT.
An Ally Strives... (2)
- to be an open-minded friend.
- to be willing to talk as well as be a good listener.
- to have his or her own opinions.
- to commit him or herself to personal growth in spite of the discomfort it may sometimes cause.
- to recognize his or her own personal boundaries.
- to confront his or her own prejudices.
- to join others with a common purpose.
- to believe that all persons, regardless of age, sex, race, gender, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation should be treated with dignity and respect.
- to be responsible for empowering his or her role in a community, particularly as it relates to responding to homophobia.
- to support the Safe Zone program of UNCG.
An Ally is NOT...
- expected to have all the answers.
- necessarily a counselor, nor is he or she necessarily trained to deal with crisis situations.
- expected to proceed with an interaction if levels of comfort or personal safety have been violated.
References
- (1) Being an Ally Means...
Adapted from "Safe Staff Roles and Responsibilities" Out for Equity, St. Paul Public Schools Out for Good, Minneapolis Public Schools - (2) An Ally Strives...
Adapted from the National Coming Out Project
Student Health Services
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Anna M. Gove Student Health Center, 107 Gray Drive 27412
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5340
FAX 336.334.5343
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Anna M. Gove Student Health Center, 107 Gray Drive 27412
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5340
FAX 336.334.5343