Southeastern’s University Counseling Center is now offering a Safe Space program to all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students, along with their families and friends.
The Safe Space program exists across the nation in K-12 schools as well as in over 200 institutions of higher education.
According to the mission statement of the safe space program, its goal is to create a supportive environment for LGBT members at Southeastern and to quell the negative stereotypes that surround them. The objective is for students of all gender identities to feel safe and comfortable on campus.
Additional information is available through many local and national databases to make sure that all who are interested are properly informed. One location is the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns (OBGLTC), which has been around since 1973. Faculty, staff and student members work within the safe space program. The faculty and staff play the role of an advocate for the person in need of help, while the students play the role of ally.
Whether a person is an advocate or ally, they are responsible for referring students who are in need of help while maintaining a non-violent professional environment.
Once someone joins the safe space program, he or she will receive a decal to place somewhere to show they are a part of the program, along with a list of words to avoid when talking to someone who needs help.
The pamphlet also offers a list of words that can be used as replacements for those that should be avoided.
“The safe space decals are symbols indicating that the individuals posting the decals are ‘safe’ contacts for LGBTQI students,” said University Counselor Dr. Barbara Herbert.
If at any point a student no longer wants to be a part of this program they can remove their bumper sticker without the worry of anyone questioning them about their reasons. According to an article written by Hebert, “LGBT people of color suffer double; they are significantly less likely to feel comfortable on campus because of racism and homophobia.”
The Safe Space program is working to erase many stereotypes such as “straight relationships last, and gay ones don’t.”
For information on joining the Safe Space program you can contact Barbra Hebert at bhebert@selu.edu or Dr. Eric Johnson at ejohnson@selu.edu.