The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s conducts Safe Zone training every month for members of the campus community. The training seeks to enrich the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹.
Participants have the opportunity to engage in dialogue on building inclusive classrooms, equity in the workplace and non-discrimination on campus.
Jungha Kim is a third year psychology major at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ who is all-too familiar with what it is like to be mis-gendered on a daily basis. “People think it doesn¡¯t hurt anyone by misgendering them, but it really does. It shows disrespect and makes me feel less than human,” said Kim.
Kim identifies as a gender non-conforming student and uses ¡°they¡± pronouns to refer to themselves. They are grateful for opportunities like the Safe Zone Training on LGBTQ+ Equity and Inclusion because they help members of the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ community build respect for gender inclusion in the classroom and on campus.
“I feel like I am part of a first-rate learning environment when I am respected for who I am, and faculty take the time to use my preferred name and pronouns,” said Kim.
Respecting individuals¡¯ pronouns and using preferred names is just part of the learning curriculum in the training. Participants share their best practices on how they actively engage their students and co-workers in inclusive campus environments.
“The Safe Zone training is an essential aspect of our university¡¯s commitment to ongoing professional development and tenets of non-discrimination,” said UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Provost Michael Bruno.
All participants in the training will have the opportunity to receive a Safe Zone sign and materials that indicate they are an ally or advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity on campus.
Safe Zone trainings will be offered on the following dates of this academic year and pre-registration is required.
- Thursday, September 26
10:30 a.m. to noon
Campus Center (CC) Executive Dining Room - Friday, October 25
10:30 a.m. to noon
CC 308 - Thursday, November 14
2–3:30 p.m.
CC 308 - Friday, December 13
2–3:30 p.m.
CC 307 - Wednesday, February 5
10:30 a.m. to noon
CC Executive Dining Room - Friday, March 27
10:30 a.m. to noon
CC Executive Dining Room - Thursday, April 16
2-3:30 p.m.
CC Executive Dining Room - Friday, May 8
10:30 a.m. to noon
CC Executive Dining Room - Monday, June 8
10:30 a.m. to noon
CC Executive Dining Room - Tuesday, July 7
2–3:30 p.m.
CC Executive Dining Room
To register for a Safe Zone training, sign up at the .