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Safe Zones Ally Training

Cuyamaca College

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Culture and Community Circles

Celebrating Classified Professionals

May 25, 2023

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Facilitators: Tania Jabour & Nancy Jennings

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Safe Zones Ally Training

Goals:

    • Improve campus climate and address equity gaps
    • Create a supportive and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA students, faculty, staff, and administrators
    • Develop ally skills and build community
    • Provide introductory knowledge of language and topics related to LGBTQIA identities
    • Increase awareness of bias and discrimination
    • Provide information about campus/community resources

(Materials adapted from SDSU Safe Zones Program)

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Safe Zones Ally Training

Community Values

  • Uphold the “Vegas Rule:” what happens here stays here
  • Speak from your own experiences and perspectives
  • Be open to new ideas
  • Share the air; practice active listening
  • Show respect (for self and others)
  • Protect our space: foster a hate-free zone
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Cuyamaca’s Queer Center

    • Mission: To prioritize LGBTQIA2s+ students and create an environment that enhances the well-being of its community, sees strength in individuality, and promotes dignity and pride.
    • Cuyamaca College Queer Center in I-107
    • Contact: cuyamaca.queercenter@gcccd.edu
    • Coordinator: Kaylin Rosal, kaylin.rosal@gcccd.edu

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Why This Training Matters

  • LGBTQ+ Student Experiences
    • 85% verbal harassment
    • 25% physical harassment
    • 13% assaulted
    • 49% threatened
    • Equity gaps– access, completion and transfer
  • Among Transgender and Non-Binary Students
    • 60% fear for their physical safety
  • Harassment and bullying lead to fear, which interferes with learning

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Sexual Orientation

This term refers to a person’s emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions

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Gender Identity

How a person experiences their own gender (internal)

Gender Expression

How a person presents their gender to others (external)

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Reflection + Discussion

  1. What has most influenced your initial perspectives about people who are LGBTQIA? (Think about family, friends, television, books, news, church)
  2. What is a challenge, obstacle, or disadvantage that LGBTQIA people face that concerns you?
  3. What is one way that you support LGBTQIA people in your everyday life?
  4. Have your impressions/understanding of LGBTQIA people changed or evolved throughout your life? If so, how?

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More About Language, Pronouns, and Names

For Educators

  • Ask students/colleagues for preferred names and pronouns (and then use them)
  • Show students how to change names and pronouns on Zoom/Canvas
  • Include your pronouns as a standard practice
  • Invite students/colleagues to correct you if you make mistakes

For Everyone

  • If your legal name/pronouns don’t match your gender identity, you can change them
  • Call people what they want to be called (including pronouns)
  • Use inclusive and respectful language
  • Be open to feedback for improvement
  • Avoid hurtful terms
  • Try not to reinforce hetero or cis identities as the norm

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How to Offer Support

  • Make no assumptions about sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status
  • Respond to anti-gay language and behavior
    • Make a difference by intervening
    • Don’t ignore it!
    • Support the targeted person
    • Hold attackers accountable
  • If you are an educator, use inclusive curriculum that represents LGBTQIA individuals and families
  • Ask LGBTQIA people in your life how you can best support them and check in often!

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Support Queer and Transgender Rights Amid Attacks Across

the Nation

  • State lawmakers have introduced over 350 bills in this year’s legislative session that restrict foundational liberties like health care, education, and freedom of expression for LGBTQ+ people (PBS).
  • Support for anti-trans bills is increasing across the nation (from 23% in April 2021 to 43% in March 2023, according to PBS NewsHour Poll).
  • Depression and suicide among those who identify as LGBTQ+ and violence against transgender people are on the rise.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

  1. Educate yourself about issues and concerns for LGBTQ+ people
  2. Donate your time, money, expertise, and/or voice
  3. Work to make every aspect of your world inclusive and supportive for those who are being targeted

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Intersectional Identities

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Definition: the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups

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Intersectionality and Social Power

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Resources (Links)

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  • Cuyamaca College Queer Center

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  • More San Diego Area Organizations

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