LGBTIQ Awareness & Education
Designating a Safe Zone 
There are many things that you can do to make you and your workspace feel like a Safe Zone for LGBTIQ students and colleagues. These are a few suggestions:
- Believe that our campus is enriched and enlivened by the diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning (LGBTIQ) people.
- Be aware of the presence of LGBTIQ students, faculty, and staff and be willing to engage in genuine dialogue and interaction.
- Be willing to discuss issues impacting LGBTIQ people's lives in a non-judgmental manner.
- Know your LGBTIQ resources on campus and in the community.
- Comfortably and regularly use inclusive language, avoid stereotyping, and do not assume everyone is heterosexual.
- Maintain confidentiality.
What Else Can I Do?
- Acquaint yourself with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgendered individuals, and intersexuals. Learn more about LGBTI culture by reading books, making friends, attending functions, and celebrating.
- Challenge homophobia and heterosexism (jokes, remarks, cartoons, behaviors, language, ect.)
- Continue to educate yourself about the coming out process and sexual identity development.
Useful Articles
Gender & Sexuality Information
FAQ's about sexuality & gender
LGBTIQ Support Information
Special issues for LGBTIQ students
How heterosexism & homophobia hurts LGBTIQ people
Cass' Homosexual Identity Development Model
When a student "comes out" to you