What is Safe Space: Peer Education?
Safe Space: Peer Education (SSPE) is a student version of Georgia Tech's Safe Space program.
The goals, messages, and content are the same in both programs, but SSPE will have more of a student focus, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to support a peer who comes out to them and to be effective allies to LGBTQIA communities.
Request
Safe Space: Peer Education will be available during the spring for students and organizations by request only.
If you have any questions about Safe Space: Peer Education, please contact William Britto.
Accessibility
In-Person
Event Space
All trainings will take place in person by request for Spring 2023.
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.
Activities/Movement
The training consists of multiple discussions, breakout rooms and a few activities. No activity will require movement to engage with. We can modify any aspect of the training with advance notice.
Volunteer
If you want to become a Safe Space: Peer Education facilitator you can apply on Engage.
If you have any questions, please contact William Britto.
FAQs
What will I learn in the training?
Each training lasts 3.5 hours. By the end of the Safe Space training, participants will:
- Feel more confident using LGBTQIA-inclusive terminology
- Understand the coming out process and know how to provide appropriate support to a peer 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
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?
All participants who complete the entire training will receive a Safe Space: Peer Education card to display in their room or on their door to indicate to others that they are allies and can provide support to LGBTQIA peers.
How can I register for a training?
You can register for this training on Engage,
This training is given by request only. If you have any questions, please contact William Britto.
I want my student organization to go through a training. How can we set one up?
First of all, we ask that you don't make Safe Space training mandatory for your members. Compelling an unwilling person to go through ally training usually doesn't make them an ally, and we want to make sure that everyone who posts a card in their office or residence hall is truly willing to support an LGBTQIA person who goes to them for guidance. Second, in order to make the best use of our facilitators' time, we ask that you have a minimum of eight people commit to attending a training before you reach out to us. If you have fewer than eight people who are interested, please consider registering for one of our monthly open sessions. If there is sufficient interest in your organization for an SSPE training, please email William Britto to schedule a date and time.