Safe Zones Frequently Asked Questions

How can I participate in the Safe Zones Program?

  • Attend a Safe Zones training to increase your awareness and build your skills!
  • Safe Zones trainings are offered for students, faculty, and staff. For students, we can bring Safe Zones programs to your student organization, residence hall, classroom, department student staff training, off-campus organization, etc. For faculty and staff, we offer department-specific trainings, and some trainings that are open to mixed groups of faculty and staff from various departments. To schedule a Safe Zones program, please contact Ellen at unhsafezones@yahoo.com.
  • CLICK HERE to check out the schedule of trainings.

What is the purpose and meaning of the Safe Zones symbol?

  • The Safe Zones symbol is an official UNH wildcat paw outlined in rainbow with the words “Safe Zone” in the center. The rainbow is a commonly recognized LGBTQ symbol.
  • The UNH Safe Zones symbol is an ally symbol that can be seen posted around campus by students, faculty, and staff who have participated in Safe Zones trainings. Individuals who are allies to the LGBTQ community post this symbol as a way to visibly represent their commitment to providing support to LGBTQ individuals.
  • The symbol indicates that homophobic and heterosexist comments and actions will not be tolerated.
  • Displaying the symbol does not indicate whether you are or are not LGBTQ+.
  • The symbol conveys that you are a support and resource person, and an ally to LGBTQ+ individuals.

What is an Ally?
An ally is "a person who is a member of the dominant or majority group who works to end oppression in his or her personal and professional life through support of, and as an advocate with and for, the oppressed population" (Washington & Evans, 1991, p.195).

SOURCE: Washington, J., Evans, N. J. (1991). Becoming an Ally. In N. J Evans and V. A. Wall (Eds.), Beyond tolerance: Gays, lesbians and bisexuals on campus. Alexandria, VA: American College Personnel Association.

 

We ask that if you use any of these materials that you credit the UNH Safe Zones program or the original source as noted. Thank you