March 28, 2024

Safe Zone Spring programs

Safe Zone, UMW’s LGBTQ+ education and advocacy program, is excited to announce that we will be offering several programs early in the Spring semester. The programs and descriptions are listed below.

Faculty/Staff Spring Book Club: We will be reading Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel called “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic.” We will discuss the book during one session on Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. This program is open to all faculty and staff, but registration is required and space is limited. The book will be provided for free to the first 15 participants who register. To register, please email Laura Wilson, lwilson5@umw.edu.

Identity and Intersectionality Workshop: This is a repeat offering of the training that was held during pre-week in August. The workshop will be on Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. It is open to any faculty or staff interested in learning about and discussing issues related to social group identities. The topics will include privilege, power, oppression, prejudice, diversity, cultural competency, intersectionality, and allyship. The goal of the workshop is to encourage participants to engage in self-reflection in order to strengthen their role as an ally for students of all identities. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please email Laura Wilson at lwilson5@umw.edu. Space is limited and registration is required.

Basic Faculty/Staff Safe Zone Workshop: This workshop is geared toward faculty and staff who would like to be more informed allies to the LGBTQ+ community on our campus. The workshop will be on Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. It is an introductory workshop that focuses on terminology, issues related to privilege, increasing awareness and sensitivity, and how to support the LGBTQ+ population on campus. At the end of the workshop, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to sign the ally pledge, but it is not mandatory. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please email Laura Wilson at lwilson5@umw.edu. Space is limited and registration is required.