UMW’s Safe Zone is set to offer an array of educational events this semester.

The UMW Safe Zone program offers workshops and events that are designed to educate members of the University community about lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) issues to increase the safety and inclusion of all campus citizens.

We offer an array of programs every semester, and our fall programming will continue with six events held in October and November.

We will have two campus-wide celebrations in October, and you can find us in the lobby of the Cedric Rucker University Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on each of these days to participate.

• On Thursday, October 6, we’ll celebrate National Coming Out Day (the actual day is Tuesday, October 11, during our fall break)
  • Stop by to sign our banner and declare your support for members of the LGBTQ+ community.  We’ll be handing out both resources and swag, so make sure you visit!
• On Wednesday, October 19, we’ll celebrate International Pronouns Day
  • Come by our table to make your own pronoun button and learn simple things you can do to highlight the importance of using pronouns correctly and providing people opportunities to share theirs with others.

We are also offering more trainings, workshops and discussions in October and November.

• We will be offering a second basic training on Thursday, October 20, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. (in-person).
  • This training focuses on terminology, issues related to privilege, increasing awareness and sensitivity, and how to support the LGBTQ+ population on campus.
• We will be offering an advanced training for those who have already completed the basic training on Wednesday, November 9, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. (in-person).
  • This training builds on the basic training and covers more complex topics, including bystander intervention.
• We will be offering our Identity and Intersectionality workshop on Thursday, October 27, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. (in-person).
  • This is an interactive discussion- and activity-based workshop that digs deeper into what it means to be part of a socially marginalized group through discussion of privilege, power, oppression, prejudice, diversity, cultural competency, intersectionality and allyship. All participants are welcome, but this is most appropriate for those who have attended at least one Safe Zone training prior to this workshop.
• Our book club continues this fall. This semester, we’ll be reading Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements by Charlene A. Carruthers.  Free books will be provided to the first 12 participants to register.  The book club discussion will take place on Thursday, November 10, from 6 to 5:30 p.m. (in person on campus).

Registration is required for trainings, workshops and book group discussions. If you would like to attend one or all of these events, please email Mindy Erchull at merchull@umw.edu. Space is limited for each event, so register early to secure your spot!

If your office, department, class, club or a group of students you know would like to schedule a training, please email Mindy to talk about content and scheduling.

If you would like more information about Safe Zone at UMW, to see the list of allies on our campus, or to  access LGBTQ+ inclusion resources, please visit our website. Also, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on our activities.