Safe Zone Committee offers training and info during Ally Week

By Kimberly Hughes, '13

The SUNY Fredonia Safe Zone Committee will host a series of events during Ally Week, Monday through Friday, April 15 to 19, to raise awareness of issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender/transsexual individuals with the goal of creating an open and just university.

Safe Space training, which advocates a welcoming environment for members of the LGBT community, will be offered for faculty and staff members on Monday, April 15, at 3 p.m., in the LoGrasso Hall conference room. Those committed to the principles of a Safe Space believe that bigotry and discrimination against members of the LGBT community is not tolerated.

Buttons and information on being an ally will also be provided in McEwen Hall on Monday.

PRIDE Alliance, the activist group on campus that teaches about issues, concerns and fun facts about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, will host an informational meeting on Tuesday, April 16, at 10 p.m,. in Fenton Hall Room 105.

The group, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, which provides opportunities for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, will host a discussion panel about being an ally on Wednesday, April 17, at 7 p.m,. in Williams Center Room Room G103B.

“Middle Sexes,” a 2005 documentary which examines the diversity of human sexual and gender variance around the globe, will be shown on Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m., in Fenton Hall Room 154.

The observance of “National Silence Day,” which encourages students to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools, will be held on Friday, April 19. Another Safe Space Training will be offered for students in LoGrasso Hall conference room at 3 p.m.

All events are free and open to the campus community.

For more information contact, Julie Bezek, co-chair of Safe Zone, at julie.bezek@fredonia.edu.