The Safe Zone program is currently under transition to the Office of Equity, Diversity & Global Outreach. Inquires into Safe Zone can be directed to Kara Gravely-Stack, Equity & Diversity Center Coordinator, 205 Old Main, 701.231.7091, Kara.Gravley-Stack@ndsu.edu
- safe zone info
The Safe Zone program is currently under transition to the Office of Equity, Diversity & Global Outreach. Inquiries can be directed to Kara Gravley-Stack, Equity & Diversity Center Coordinator, 205 Old Main, 701.231.7091 or Kara.Gravley-Stack@ndsu.edu.
Safe Zone is a program that sends a message to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth and their allies. A person displaying the symbol is one who will be understanding, supportive, and trustworthy if a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person needs help, advice or someone with whom he or she can talk. The person who is displaying the symbol is also a person who can give anyone accurate information about sexual orientation issues.
Fall Semester 2008 Events
Faith and Fairness: Finding Strength and Tools for Advocacy in Your Faith Tradition
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
7pm
Christiansen Recital Hall, Hvidsten Hall of Music, Concordia College, Moorhead
Free and Open to the public
This event is part of the FM Communiversity Fall 2008 Program, and co-sponsored by the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
The Faith and Fairness Town Hall Forum empowers people of various faith traditions to find their voice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) equality. There will not be an assumption of GLBT advocacy, but rather an interest about the connection between faith and sexuality in the FM area. Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Cynthia Love will be joined by three local panelists, including Rev. Dr. Wade Schemmel (Conference Mminister, Northern Plains Conference - UCC) and Janeen Kobrinski (local artist, musician, activist and currently lay rabbi for Temple Beth El in Fargo). The event will be informing and uplifting, providing greater understanding of the GLBT community amongst various faith traditions.
This community building events is part of a 3-city tour in Minnesota sponsored by teh Human Rights Campaign and local religious/civic organizations.
Rev. Dr. Love (Cindi) is an ordained minister in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) currently serving as the Executive Director of MCC worldwide. Prior to her ordination, Dr. Love was a professional educator and therapist, an INC 500 company founder and senior executive for the NYSE-traded corporation, the TORO Company. Dr. Love is a nationally recognized dynamic speaker. She works with the Human Rights Campaign as a representative who speaks to conservative listeners with a variety of backgrounds and faith traditions.
Be the Change You Want to Be
featuring: Jessica Pettitt
Thursday, October 9
7pm
Memorial Union, Great Plains Ballroom, NDSU
This event is free and open to the public
Jessica will incorporate her years of social justice education work into this presentation, an interactive opportunity to discuss the intersections of leadership and social justice. Students will leave the presentation with the information they need to make their organizations more focused towards social justice.
This event is sponsored by NDSU Greek Life, NDSU Student Activities/Congress of Student Organizations, Diversity Council, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, and Microsoft GLEAM.
NDSU Pride Network will help ensure safe and inclusive campus community
Fargo, N.D., May 7 - The North Dakota State University Office of Equity and Diversity and the Safe Zone Program have formed the NDSU Pride Network, a new group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender faculty, staff and graduate students. The group is looking to identify relevant issues and concerns at NDSU to ensure a safe and inclusive campus community.
"We are excited for the opportunity to bring LGBT faculty, staff and graduate students together to support each other and identify ways to assist administration in ensuring that NDSU is a welcoming and inclusive environment of all people," said Josh Boschee, co-chair of the network. "As NDSU continues to make progress in recruiting new employees and graduate students, a group like the Pride Network will be valuable in enhancing the diversity that makes up our campus community."
The NDSU Pride Network is considering measures for ensuring privacy in arranging future meetings for people who prefer to remain private about their sexual orientation or gender identity. If you have concerns or ideas regarding privacy, please contact one of the co-chairs.
"Dr. Myers from the Office of Equity and Diversity approached us about starting a group for NDSU employees since none existed," said Kristen Benson, co-chair of the network. "There is a need for visibility and recognition of issues relevant to LGBT faculty and staff as the university strives to become a more diverse community. We hope to learn more about the experiences of LGBT people on campus regarding issues ranging from policy to safety. The Pride Network aims to create and maintain a safe place where LGBT faculty and staff can locate community and find support. I deeply appreciate that NDSU now acknowledges these concerns and is supportive of the NDSU Pride Network."
The NDSU Pride Network is in collaboration with the NDSU Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity and Community. For more information, visit the Diversity @ NDSU Web site at www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/winjum/Diversity%20 Website/ glbta.html.
For more information on the NDSU Pride Network, contact Boschee at (701) 231-8565 or joshua.a.boschee@ndsu.edu or Benson at (701) 231-5879 or kristen.benson@ndsu.edu.
Safe Zone Drive-In Training
NDSU Memorial Union Friday, April 4, 9am-4pm
To register, download the
registration form and mail or email in.
Registration is $10 per person.
Call 701.231.7787
About the Trainers
The trainers for this workshop have over 10 years of combined
experience in education and training on sexual
orientation/gender identity issues and have successfully
developed a regionally-recognized Safe Zone Ally program within
a campus environment. They will bring to this workshop an
understanding of how to build capacity within your own campus
to develop and maintain this important program on a limited
budget.
The workshop has been organized into three
modules:
1. LGBTQ Diversity Training
Receive training on sexual orientation and gender identity
issues facing our college students, faculty, and staff.
2. Organizing 101
Learn how to work with your college/university system to build
allies, promote the program, and leverage support. Network
with colleagues across the region who are also working to
develop inclusive communities.
3. Train the Trainers
Develop your skills as a trainer on issues of sexual
orientation and gender identity. Get access to valuable
resources available to you.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20, 2007
Creating an inclusive community at North Dakota State
University
Recognizing and honoring victims of violent crime.
12:30pm - Century Theater, NDSU Memorial Union
• Brown Bag Lunch "I Knew My Gender When…"
7pm - Arikara Room, NDSU Memorial Union
• Community Vigil
• Viewing of film Boys Don't Cry
• Community discussion featuring: Lieutenant Greg
Lemke, Fargo Police Department and Christi McGeorge,
Family Therapy Center, NDSU
Sponsored by: Safe Zone Ally Program, NDSU Family Therapy
Center
Download the Safe Zone logo HERE.
Who can be a Safe Zone Ally?
NDSU faculty, staff, and students who want to visibly show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons can volunteer to be part of the Safe Zone Program. Individuals interested in participating must attend a Safe Zone training workshop. Here is a list of Safe Zone allies and resources.
For further information about the Safe Zone program and upcoming training dates, please contact:
Supervisors
Kara Gravley-Stack
Kara.Gravley-Stack@ndsu.edu
Safe Zone Allies
What is an Ally?
Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines ally as:
1 : to unite or form a connection between : ASSOCIATE <allied himself with a wealthy family by marriage> 2 : to connect or form a relation between (as by likeness or compatibility)
An ally can also be thought of as a member of a majority group who works to end oppression -- in their personal and professional life -- through support of and as an advocate for an oppressed group.
Many people in our community and campus grew up with unexamined heterosexist attitudes, assumptions, and behaviors. It takes time to overcome attitudes and behaviors to which people have become acclimated to. We believe that becoming an ally of non-heterosexual people will help in moving from heterosexism to an alliance described below.
- Active Oppression
- Indifference
- Oppression through Lack of Action
- Confronting Oppression
- Growing as an Ally
- Challenging Oppression
- Joining an Ally Support Network
- Challenging Heterosexist Systems
Click on each category to see the items under it
What Can Allies Do?
There are a number of ways allies can show support for GLBT people
- Pay attention to the words people use to describe themselves. Not everyone identifies as "gay" and "lesbian," and even fewer prefer "homosexual."
- Use non-gender-specific language. Ask, "Are you seeing someone?" or "Are you in a committed relationship?" instead of "Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?" or "Are you married?" Use "partner" or "significant other" instead of assuming that someone has a husband or wife.
- Do not assume the sexual orientation of another person even when that person is married or in a committed relationship. Many bisexuals, and even some gay men and lesbians, are in heterosexual relationships. And don't assume that someone who is transgendered is gay or that the person will seek to transition in order to appear heterosexual.
- Do not assume that gay, lesbian, or bisexual person is attracted to you just because they have disclosed their sexual identity. If any interest is shown, be flattered, not flustered. Treat any interest that someone might show just as you would if it came from someone who is heterosexual.
- Challenge your own conceptions about gender-appropriate roles and behaviors. Do not simply expect people to conform to society's beliefs about "women" and "men."
- Validate people's gender expression. For example, if a male-born person identifies as female, refer to that person as "she" and use her chosen name. If you are unsure how to refer to a person's gender, simply ask them.
- Speak out against statements and jokes that attack GLBT people. Letting others know that you find anti-GLBT statements and jokes offensive and unacceptable can go a long way towards reducing homophobia.
- Educate yourself about GLBT history, culture and concerns.
- Encourage your group or organization to adopt a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation. Make sure that it is enforced.
- Help heterosexual students understand that GLBT people are a presence on campus and in society. They do not have to accept GLBT students, but they must learn to live peaceably with them.
- Support GLBT students because they add to the vibrancy of thought, activity and life on campus; not because it's politically correct.
- Display gay-affirming materials in a public location to raise awareness and show support.
Training and Events
Professional Issues Conference Event
Thursday, October 11th is NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY!
Please stay posted for other upcoming events. They
will be posted here as soon as the information is available to
us.
Safe Zone Ally Training
Sessions:
Safe Zone at NDSU is a
program intended to provide information and resources for people
wishing to be Allies for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender (LGBT) community at NDSU. Attendees in training
sessions will learn about various issues related to sexual
orientation and gender identity, privilege, and how to be an
Ally.
Wednesday, January 30 - 10am to 12pm - Hidatsa
Room
Tuesday, February 12 - 9:30am-11:30am - Arikara
Room
Wednesday, April 2 - 3pm-5pm - Arikara Room
Social Justice Retreat: Sexual Orientation and Gender
Identity
Details to follow. Contact Student
Activities Office for registration information
Saturday, April 19 - all day - Alumni Center
Safe Zone Drive-In Workshop
Students,
staff and faculty from regional colleges and universities are
invited to attend this workshop to learn more about creating and
maintaining a Safe Zone Ally program on their campuses. For more
information, please contact the Student Activities Office.
Friday, April 4 - Memorial Union
Thursday, September 13th, 3pm-5pm, Lake Agassiz,
MU.
Monday, September 26th, 10am-12pm, Lake
Agassiz, MU.
If you would like to get more information, contact the Student Activities Office, 231.7787.
If you would like trainers to present on GLBT or Safe Zone topics to your class or group, please contact us.
Community Resources
Resources for GLBT Students in the Fargo-Moorhead Area
Houglum Lutheran Church
Rural Lake Park, MN. For information about times for church
services and directions to the church, call 701.298.8122 or
701.231.7517.
Minnkota Center
810 4th Avenue South, Suite 204, Moorhead, MN 56560. Telephone:
218.287.4636 or 1.877.871.4636 (toll-free)
Minnkota Center is a nonprofit, community-based organization
providing safe and affordable counseling services for Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning
individuals.
Email them.
OutFront Minnesota Website
OutFront Minnesota is an organization serving the GLBT and
allied communities of Minnesota with a wide variety of programs
and services.
Visit their website
PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays), holds meetings the 2nd Sunday of each month from 4-6 p.m.
at Cross Way Center, 1420 Crossway Drive, West Fargo.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays promotes
the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgendered persons, their families and friends through:
support, to cope with an adverse society;
education, to enlighten an ill-informed public;
and advocacy, to end discrimination and to
secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual
orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society
that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.
Email them or visit their
website
Prairie OASOS (Prairie Open and Affirming
Sexual Orientation Support)
The website provides a listing of GLBT resources in Minnesota and
North Dakota.
Visit their website
Pride Collective & Community Center
116 12 th Street South, Moorhead , MN 56560. Telephone:
218.287.8034. Working to support the gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender (GLBT) community of Fargo-Moorhead and the Red
River Valley.
Visit their website
or email
them.
Ten Percent Society
(MSUM/NDSU) Website
A dual-college student organization that provides social
activities, support, and education to lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgendered students, faculty and staff and straight allies on
the campuses of Minnesota State University Moorhead and North
Dakota State University and in the Fargo-Moorhead
community.
Visit their website
Ten Percent Society (UND) Website:
The University of North Dakota Ten Percent Society is the
oldest gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered organization in
the state of North Dakota , since 1982. Our primary goal is to
provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for LGBT
students, faculty, and staff.
Visit their website
Unitarian Universalist Church
121 9th Street South, Fargo. Telephone: 701.235.0394
Safe Zone Training Resources
- Beyond Tolerance: Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals on
Campus by Nancy J. Evans and Vernon A. Wall
- Toward Acceptance: Sexual Orientation Issues on Campus
by Vernon A. Wall and Nancy J. Evans
- "Using Collaboration to Create a Safe Climate for LGBT
Students," presented by Michigan State University at 2001 ACPA
Conference in Boston
- "Safe Zone Training: Resident Assistant Inservice," Albion
College
- Safe Zone website: www.rmc.edu
Suggested Readings
- My Son Eric, by Mary V. Borhak
- Coming Out to Parents, by Mary V. Borhak
- Dirt, Greed & Sex, by William Countryman
- Now That You Know, by Betty Fairchild and Nancy
Howard
- Beyond Acceptance, by Carolyn Welch Giffen, Marion J.
Wirth, and Arthur G. Wirth
- On Being Gay - Thoughts on Family, Faith and Love, by
Brian McNaught
- Is the Homosexual my Neighbor ? by Letha Scanzoni
& Virginia Mollenkott
- The New Testament and Homosexuality, by Scrogs
- Uncommon Heroes, by Phillip Sherman
- Those People at that Church - The St. Francis Lutheran
Cookbook, by Wayne A. Strei, published by St. Francis
Lutheran Church
- Stranger at the Gate - To Be Gay and Christian in
America, by Rev. Mel White
- We Were Baptised, Too - Claiming God's Grace for Lesbians
and Gays, by Marilyn Bennett Alexander & James
Preston
- Straight Parents, Gay Children, by Bob Bernstein
- Homophobia - How We All Pay the Price, edited by
Warren T. Blumenfeld
- When Someone You Know is Gay, by Cohen, S. & D.,
published by M. Evans & Co., NY
- Jesus Acted Up - A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto, by
Robert Goss
- Breaking the Surface, by Greg Luganis
- Parents Matter, by Ann Muller
- Honor Bound, by Joe Steffan
- One Teen Ager in Ten - writings by gay and lesbian
youth. Allyson Publications, Boston
Links
National Organizations
www.aclu.org
- American Civil Liberties Union
www.glad.org -
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
www.glaad.org
- Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
www.glnh.org -
Gay & Lesbian National Hotline
www.gpac.org -
Gender Public Action Coalition
www.glsen.org - Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education
Network
www.hrc.org -
Human Rights Campaign
www.iglss.org
- Institute for Gay & Lesbian Strategic Studies
www.lambdalegal.org - Lambda Legal Defense &
Education Fund
www.nclrights.org - National Center for Lesbian
Rights
www.lgbtcampus.org - National Consortium of
Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education
www.ngltf.org
- National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
www.scoutingforall.org - Scouting for ALL
www.qrd.org -
Queer Resources Directory
www.nolose.org - National Organization for Lesbians
of Size
The Gay
Vote
National
Journal of Sexual Orientation Law
Sexual Orientation- Science, Education and
Policy
Gay
Today
Bisexual Resources
www.binetusa.org -
BiNet USA
www.bisexual.org -
Bisexual.org
www.biresource.org - Bisexual Resource Center
Transgender
TS
Roadmap
Transgender
Guide
Dr.
Becky
Susan's
Place - Transgender Resources
HRC Transgender 101 - Human Rights Campaign
Transgender Guide
Intersex
www.isna.org
GLBT Persons with Disabilities
www.deafqueer.org
www.gimpgirl.com/lists/queergirlies
People of Color GLBT Sites
www.virtualcity.com
www.glas.org/lazeeza.html
www.blk.com
www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/1424
Columbia- Out of the Closet
www.lgirtf.org - Lesbian & Gay Immigration
Rights Task Force
Youth Resources
www.lambda10.org -
GLB Greek Issues
http://nyacyouth.org - National Youth Advocacy
Organization
www.outproud.org - National Coalition for GLBT
Youth
www.youthresource.com - Youth Resource
Family Resources
www.pflag.org
- Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
www.colage.org - Children of Lesbians & Gays
Everywhere
www.familypride.org - Family Pride Coalition
www.gayparentmag.com - Gay Parent Magazine
www.ldsfamilyfellowship.org - LDS Family
Fellowship
Faith & Religion
www.cathedralofhope.com - Cathedral of Hope
www.changingattitude.org - Gay Anglicans
www.dignityusa.org - Gay Catholics
www.gaychristians.org - Gay Christians
www.rainbowbaptists.org - Gay Baptists
www.gaybuddhist.org - Gay Buddhists
http://glbtjews.org - Gay Jews
www.lcna.org -
Gay Lutherans
www.affirmation.org - Gay Mormons
www.al-fatiha.net - Gay Muslims
www.mlp.org -
Gay Presbyterians
www.umaffirm.org - Gay United Methodists
www.soulforce.org - Soulforce - Mel White
www.ucccoalition.org - United Church of Christ
www.ufmcc.com
- Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
Online Magazines
www.advocate.com - The Advocate
www.curvemag.com - Curve
www.lavendermagazine.com -
Lavender
www.lesbiannews.com - The Lesbian News
www.planetout.com - Planet Out
www.gayscribe.com - Extensive listing of
Gay/Lesbian Publications
