The Brown Safe Zone is a campus-wide program sponsored by the LGBTQ Center that encourages members of the community to identify themselves as visible supporters of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) life at Brown. Through this program, the LGBTQ Center strives to foster an environment in which LGBTQ community members feel welcome, affirmed, and safe.
Who can participate in the program?
Anyone in the Brown community can be a Brown Safe Zone participant, including faculty, staff, and students. It is hoped that community members of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions will become participants.
What is expected of Brown Safe Zone participants?
Participants are expected to display the Brown Safe Zone symbol in a visible location to identify themselves as supporters of LGBTQ community members and as committed to creating an environment free of homophobia, heterosexism, and bias. Participants should be comfortable when LGBTQ community members approach them to talk about LGBTQ-related issues and with helping these individuals take advantage of other LGBTQ-related resources. Finally, participants themselves are expected to utilize other LGBTQ campus resources (e.g., LGBTQ Center) when they are unsure of how to help someone who has sought information or a referral from them.
What resources are available to Brown Safe Zone participants?
The Brown Safe Zone is administered by the LGBTQ Center, which is available to all participants for consultation and/or referral when they need some help supporting or assisting LGBTQ and other community members. Additionally, all participants are expected to become familiar with information that is mailed with the Brown Safe Zone symbol to each new program participant. The materials include the following information:
- How to identify and confront heterosexism and homophobia
- Campus LGBTQ resources
- LGBTQ-related terms
- Transgender persons and the challenges they face
- How to be an effective ally to LGBTQ community members
- The coming out process
- Commonly asked questions related to LGBTQ issues
- How to report anti-LGBTQ harassment and violence
How do I become a Brown Safe Zone participant?
Community members can request a Brown Safe Zone symbol by contacting the LGBTQ Center by email at [email protected]. Please include your name and Box number and we will mail a symbol to you.
The Safe Zone Manual is available through the link below. After becoming familiar with all of the materials in the Safe Zone Manual you will be prepared to post the symbol in a visible location so that community members know that you are informed about and sensitive to LGBTQ issues and concerns.
The Safe Zone Manual is currently being updated. Please temporarily refer to this version. A new version will be published in November 2015.
Safe Zone Trainings
Safe Zone Trainings are held periodically through the training.brown.edu website. You can visit that site or contact the LGBTQ Center at [email protected] to find out about upcoming traingings.
Next Trainings:
Trainings are on hold until Spring 2017. Announcements will be made when we resume the open training opportunities.