Safe Zone

What is Safe Zone Training?

Safe Zone is a national training program whose purpose is to foster an affirming and safe campus environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. Over 250 colleges throughout the U.S. have implemented Safe Zone programs.

The training includes the following:

an opportunity for participants to reflect on their earliest messages regarding LGBTQ community,
terminology review,
understanding what of it means to identify as gender queer/non-conforming or a transgender person,
how to support someone in the “coming out” process,
best practices for being an ally to LGBTQ students/colleagues, and
ways to make your classroom or office more inclusive.

Those who participate in this free professional development opportunity will receive a “Safe Zone” sticker to display in their office. This symbol indicates that you are an ally who has been properly trained on LGBTQ issues, terminology and ways to support those in need.

Training and Certification

You only need to attend one session; to be certified, you must attend all three hours. Given the high demand and space limitations, please only sign up if you are certain you can attend . Training room/location will be emailed to registered participants as the training day approaches.

If you wish to schedule a Safe Zone training for your entire office/department, please contact [email protected] . Each group training session requires at least 15 participants.

History of Safe Zone @ FIT

In 2011, thanks to the Diversity Council and the President’s Diversity Grant Fund, Residential Life staff members Cody Kirkpatrick and Vivan Chen were able to establish the “Safe Zone” program at FIT. External trainers from Envision Social Justice Training & Consulting were initially brought in to conduct a training for what was supposed to be a one-time opportunity. Due to its overwhelming positive feedback from FIT participants, President Brown and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion have since institutionalized the Safe Zone program and provided additional funding for FIT staff members to become training facilitators themselves, thus ensuring the initiative continues.

To date, over 500 FIT faculty, staff, and student leaders have completed the training so far and we hope you will join us.

FIT Safe Zone Training Facilitators:

Cody Kirkpatrick, Residential Life

Jocelin Engel, Office of the President

Angela Brown, Residential Life

Katharine Dorny, School of Graduate Studies

Matthew Krein, Residential Life