Please read before registering!
Who can attend a Safe Space training?
Training sessions are open to all employees, graduate students, postdocs, and GT affiliates who have a sincere interest in learning more about how to practice allyship to the LGBTQIA community.
What will I learn in Safe Space?
Each training lasts 4 hours. By the end of the Safe Space training, participants will:
- Feel more confident using LGBTQIA-inclusive terminology
- Be aware of how heterosexist and cissexist privilege perpetuate LGBTQIA oppression and discrimination
- Understand the coming out process and know how to provide appropriate support to someone who comes out to them
- Understand the role of allies in LGBTQIA communities and social justice movements
- Possess skills to advocate for LGBTQIA communities and to combat homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism, and cissexism on campus and beyond
- Be familiar with laws and policies that impact the LGBTQIA community
- Know what resources exist on and off campus for LGBTQIA students, faculty, and staff
Please note: This training will include some discussion of sensitive topics, including anti-LGBTQIA bias and mental health concerns, including some brief mentions of suicide and self-harm. Please use your judgment and your knowledge of your own boundaries and self-care needs when deciding whether to register.
What will I get if I complete the training?
Participants who complete Safe Space training will receive a card to display in their work space to indicate to others that they have completed the program and can provide support to LGBTQIA peers and students.
I want my office, department, or student organization to be Safe Space trained. How can I set up a training for them?
Great question. First of all, we ask that you don't make Safe Space training mandatory for your colleagues or members. Compelling an unwilling person to go through allyship training usually doesn't make them an ally, and we want to make sure that everyone who posts a card in their workplace is truly willing to support an LGBTQIA person who reaches out to them. Second, in order to make the best use of our facilitators' time, we ask that you have a minimum of 15 people commit to attending a training before you reach out to us. If you have fewer than 15 people who are interested, please consider registering for one of our monthly open sessions. If there is sufficient interest in your department or group for a Safe Space training, please contact William Britto, to discuss your options.
How can I become a Safe Space facilitator?
Any faculty or staff member can apply to be a facilitator. We are currently accepting submissions. If you are interested in serving as a facilitator, please contact William Britto.
Accessibility Information
Event Space
All in-person trainings will take place in the Exhibition Hall and the Klaus Advanced Computing Building. There is visitor parking (including accessibility spaces) and a Trolley/Stinger stop right outside the Exhibition Hall. The training rooms are wheelchair-accessible, but please indicate on your registration if you use a wheelchair or other mobility aid so that we can arrange the room accordingly. There are ramps and sidewalks surrounding the Klaus building as well. For most of the training, participants will be seated at tables in chairs that have no arms. If attending the training in the Exhibition Hall, the closest gender-inclusive restroom is next door in the Pavilions. If attending training in Klaus, there is a gender-inclusive restroom in the building,153. If you have more questions about accessibility needs, please contact William Britto
Activities/Movement
For the One Step Forward activity, participants are asked to move across a room as certain statements are read aloud. For the Star Activity, participants will write 5 terms relating to their life on a colored paper star. We can modify any of these activities with advance notice.
Training Materials
The training is delivered using PowerPoint slides with minimal text. Some handouts are printed in 14pt font and others in 12pt. Please notify us if you require large-print electronic handouts or a digital copy of the slide deck in advance.