A Project of the University LGBT Commission
For upcoming events, please see below.
Cosponsored by the University LGBT Commission and the Office of Social Equity, the Safe Zone program is designed to improve visibility and support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and employees. While other minority individuals can often identify role models and mentors, the invisibility of sexual orientation makes it very difficult for LGBT members of the IUP community to ascertain where they can safely turn for support and information.
The Safe Zone program provides easily recognizable individuals who are available to provide these resources. The Safe Zone symbol is a message to LGBT students and colleagues that an employee has participated in the Safe Zone training and is committed to increasing their knowledge of and sensitivity to LGBT issues. The symbol allows the campus community to identify program members and know that they can speak freely with these individuals about issues, including sexual orientation and gender identity, which may affect their academic success or job satisfaction.
Safe Zone members are able to provide assistance, as needed, including referrals. Since the Safe Zone program also strives to improve the campus climate for LGBT individuals, the symbol also means that Safe Zone members will challenge homophobic and heterosexist comments or behaviors in an educational and informative manner.
Upcoming Events
IUP LGBT Visibility Week
April 29–May 3, 2013
Tuesday — “Out in the Oak Grove”
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. LGBT Community Day
Wednesday — October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard Readers’ Theater
7:00 p.m. McVitty Auditorium, Sprowls Hall
Friday — Lavender Graduation
5:30 p.m. HUB Susquehanna Room
For additional information, contact:
Tedd Cogar at tcogar@iup.edu
Sponsored by the LGBT Commission
The LGBT Commission is an advisory group to the President that works to improve the climate for diversity within IUP and specifically to address issues affecting the welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members of the university community.
Please note, Lesléa Newman will be an artist in residence at IUP, October 6-9, 2013.
