Safe Space
Kent State University is a great place to be, please help us to make it a great place for everyone.
According to the GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) 2001
National School Climate Survey, a majority of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) students feel unsafe at school and are likely to skip
class or even days of school out of fear for personal safety. The
research also indicates that students who can identify a supportive
faculty/staff member or student group are more likely to feel a sense of
belonging at their school than those who cannot.
For many students, the presence of allies to whom they can turn for support—or even the simple knowledge that allies exist—can be a big factor in developing a positive sense of self, building community, coping with bias, and working to improve school climate. Safe Space programs increase the visible presence of student and adult allies who can help to shape a school culture that is accepting of all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other difference.
PRIDE! Kent provides training sessions for faculty and staff so all students can feel safe at school. Training sessions are generally one and a half to two hours, so please be sure to plan a session when you are sure to have time for all your staff to complete the training in its entirety. Each training session will have a five to ten minute break.
n the past, PRIDE! Kent has provided a service called safe zone, perhaps you have seen signs around campus. This year we are making the switch to Safe Space, a very similar program but the training sessions are far more organized.
Request a Training Session
Please contact us if you are interested in having a Safe Space training session for your department. E-mail us at pridekent@yahoo.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible in order to schedule a training session.
We require that at least two weeks are given for
the presenters to clear their schedules and prepare for each
presentation. In saying that, please do not contact PRIDE! Kent for
a Safe Zone training in less time than two weeks