LGBT Safe Space Training
The Feinberg School of Medicine’s LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Safe Space Training has been expanded and updated through a partnership between the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Feinberg LGBTQ+ Alliance student group, the Gender and Sexuality Curriculum Taskforce, and the Department of Medical Education.
The Safe Space Program is an initiative to educate allies who support LGBT individuals in our campus community. Unlike more visible under-represented groups, LGBT persons cannot be readily identified. Likewise, there is no easy method of finding persons supportive of LGBT people. The Safe Space Training program strives to educate allies and provide a way for allies within the Feinberg 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.
A safe space for LGBT people is not about protecting community members from dissenting viewpoints or difficult conversations, but about making sure that everyone functions in an environment of tolerance and mutual respect. This training effort is not trying to create a separate safe space for LGBT individuals, but make the entire Feinberg community safe.
NOTE: The Safe Space Training program is focused on creating a safe space for LGBT students, trainees, staff, faculty, and other community members. Currently, it does not present topics or skills directly related to caring for LGBT patients.
Safe Space Training Online Module
The Safe Space Training Online module discusses the LGBT world experience, basic definitions and use of terminology, and applying skills towards creating a safe space for LGBT community members. The online module lasts approximately 25 minutes.
The learning objectives of the Safe Space Online Module are:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of terms used to describe sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Describe how LGBT world experiences require community members to actively create a safe space.
- Apply skills to create a safe learning environment for members of the LGBT community.
Use this link to access the online module.
*Efforts are underway for a revamped Safe Space eLearning training module. More details to come as soon as they become available*