LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Safe Space Training
LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Safe Space Training
The Office of Diversity offers LGBT Safe Space Training in partnership with individuals from the Northwestern LGBTQA Campus Advisory Network and the Feinberg School of Medicine Queers and Allies group. The Safe Space Program is an initiative to educate allies who support LGBTQ individuals in our campus community.
Sign up for Safe Space Training on Friday, March 1, 2013 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm (module 1) and 2:45 - 3:45 (module 2) and 4:00- 5:00 pm (module 3). Trainings are typically offered three times a year around June, October, and February.
[The following information is from the LGBT Safe Space Training page of the LGBT Resource Center at Northwestern University.]
Purpose
Unlike more visible under-represented groups, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons cannot be readily identified. Likewise, there is no easy method of finding persons supportive of LGBT people. As one component of the LGBTQA Campus Advisory Network, the Safe Space Program strives to provide a way for supportive persons within the University community to prominently identify themselves. The program advances Northwestern University's goal of creating a campus community in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Please consider this your invitation to participate.
About the Symbol
The Safe Space symbol is based on the rainbow flag, which is representative of the acceptance of the diversity within our entire society, as well as the more specific LGBT communities. The triangle shape is derived from symbols the Nazis used to identify gay men (pink triangle) and lesbians (black triangle) in concentration camps. These icons have been reclaimed by the gay rights movement as symbols of empowerment and remembrance. For Feinberg Safe Space trainees who are clincians, the Office of Diversity also offers a rainbow caduceus pin that can be worn on clothing or a white coat as a visible symbol of support for patients and their families.
Goal of the Safe Space Program
The goal of this program is to provide a more hospitable environment for LGBT people at Northwestern by establishing an identifiable network of allies who can provide support, information, and act as allies to LGBT individuals within the University community.
Safe Space Objectives
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To identify and mobilize a network of people who are empathetic and knowledgeable about LGBT people and topics. The Safe Space training will emphasize knowledge about campus and community resources.
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To provide evidence of LGBT support by displaying a sign as a visible symbol of personal commitment.
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To reduce the fear of reprisal and discrimination of LGBT persons within the NU community.
- The training is designed as 4 modules delivered every three to four months that are 20-120 min in length. Individuals can sign up for the modules that appeal most to them or are most relevant to their professional needs.
Module 1: Language and Inclusive Conversations
*lexicon, vocabulary, basic terms
*what not to say
*homophobia, heteronormativity
*microaggressions of language
*add, drop, transform models of inclusive language
Module 2: Stories, Questions and Mythbusters
* Q and A with a Gay. 'Everything you wanted to ask but were afraid to' - creating a safe space for developing informed allies
*stories of coming out, being on campus, what life is like
*mythbusters using classroom response clickers
*submitted scenarios from campus (via online in advance) about challenges, successes, disconnects, and those OMG-now-what moments.
*interactive format
Module 3: Clinical Encounters that promote comprehensive sexual health for everyone
*provider interviews/allied and ancillary staff interviews
*crucial phrases for success so you don't seem awkward
*straight talk about sexual health - um yeah it aint a gay thing people!
*inclusive language and practice in the clinic (microaggressions)
Module 4: TKO (total knowledge and openness) for the T-Q-I (trans*-Queer-Intersex)
*What is trans*
*clinical controversy
*Queer umbrella - who is under it
*healthcare challenges for trans* folks
*legal challenges for trans* folks
*the gender binary vs the spectrum
*game format Queer-I for the straight ally
Safe Space Modules
- The training is designed as 4 modules delivered every three to four months that are 20-120 min in length. Individuals can sign up for the modules that appeal most to them or are most relevant to their professional needs.
Module 1: Language and Inclusive Conversations
lexicon, what to say, what not to say
Module 2: Stories, Questions and Mythbusters
Q and A [with a Gay] 'Everything you wanted to ask but were afraid to' - becoming informed allies
Module 3: Clinical Encounters that promote comprehensive sexual health for everyone
provider interviews/allied and ancillary staff interviews, crucial phrases for success
Module 4: TKO (total knowledge and openness) for the T-Q-I (trans*-Queer-Intersex)
What is trans*, clinical controversy, the queer umbrella - who is under it
This page last updated Feb 13, 2013