The aim of the New School Safe Zone program is to assemble a voluntary network of faculty, staff, and student allies and advocates to LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQIA, and LGBTQIAGNC people to increase safety and create a more supportive campus environment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and gender nonconforming (LGBTQIAGNC) community at The New School. The New School is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for all members of the university community inclusive of race, ethnicity, national origin, culture, language, gender and gender expression, sexuality, religious and political beliefs, age, and ability. The university stands against all forms of discrimination and oppression, whether directed against individuals or groups.
After introductory Safe Zone training, students, faculty, and staff can display a Safe Zone sign on their lockers, desks, backpacks, or office doors. This signifies support for LGBTQIAGNC people and identifies those who display the sign as advocates and/or allies who can be safely approached for support or guidance. To be trained or receive more information about Safe Zone, email safezone@newschool.edu or call 212.229.1671, option 4.
The Safe Zone team publicizes the program, distributes materials, and provides introductory training to those who wish to become involved, and educates the larger community about the meaning of the signs and the importance of building safe and inclusive spaces for all students.
Goals
- To educate and empower New School students, staff, and faculty members to serve as advocates and/or allies to members of the university community who identify as LGBTQIAGNC
- To ensure that members of the New School community are treated with respect—inclusive of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, or ability
- To educate students, staff, and faculty on how to create a supportive atmosphere in which LGBTQIAGNC members of the university community feel that they can safely express themselves
- To educate students, staff, and faculty on how to respond to situations and problems that LGBTQIAGNC members of the university community might face
- To raise awareness in the university community of its collective responsibility to work against bias, prejudice, and bullying
New School Safe Zone training familiarizes allies and advocates with:
- Common experiences of the LGBTQIAGNC population
- Commonly used LGBTQIAGNC terms
- Stereotypes commonly associated with the LGBTQIAGNC population
- Heterocentrism, heterosexism, transphobia and homophobia
- The coming-out process
- On-campus resources for LGBTQIAGNC students
- External and Web-based resources for LGBTQIAGNC students
- The role of a person trained in Safe Zone
- Ways for non LGBTQIAGNC identified folks can further their own development as allies
- The goals of the Safe Zone Program
