Safe Zone celebrates 10 years of promoting tolerance
BY MICHELLE HERSHMAN, L'07
Ten years ago, several staff and faculty members decided something was missing on Richmond's campus. It wasn't the usual building or sports field. Instead, it was a symbol. More specifically, it was a pink triangle, representing a haven for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.
"We wanted to create a safe place on campus where students who were feeling intimidated by their sexuality could go and talk to someone," said Steve Wilborn, senior associate director of admissions.
Wilborn, along with his fellow faculty and staff members, began Safe Zone to serve students and reduce homophobia and heterosexism on Richmond's campus. A decade later, the organization is celebrating 10 successful years of promoting tolerance, understanding and acceptance.
Safe Zone commemorated its anniversary Feb.15 with a dinner and celebration.
"It was significant because we're neither a student organization nor a staff recognized organization," Wilborn said. "We felt it was critical this organization be made up of students, faculty and staff."
The anniversary celebration included guest speakers Rafael de Sá, Safe Zone president and biology professor; Dan Roberts, associate professor of liberal arts; Irby Brown, Richmond alumnus and retired English professor; and Kirk Read, author of How I Learned to Snap. Read's speech, titled "Coming Down from Brokeback Mountain," discussed thoughts on queer culture. Read also spoke to several classes the next day.
Brown and de Sá were part of the original group that formed Safe Zone in 1996. Other members still at the University include Roni Kingsley (Biology), Ladelle McWhorter (Philosophy) and Bob Rodgers (Catering). They were worried students had no safe place to discuss their hopes and fears, no guidance to help them sort through feelings or make decisions, and little or no recourse against harassment and violence.
To encourage more safe zones, the organization trains students, faculty and staff to serve as a resource in sexual orientation. Training sessions are offered a couple of times a year.
Once trained, members receive a pink triangle to put up in their office or dorm room to symbolize the place is a safe haven. Through Safe Zone's 10-year history, hundreds of students, faculty and staff have gone through training.
Safe Zone also works with student organizations to educate individuals on being advocates for those that are lesbian, gay or transgender, or those who are searching for their sexual identification.
"We believe there's room on this campus for everyone," Wilborn said.
Safe Zone is sponsored by the Virginia Association of College and University Housing Officers and has chapters on several Virginia campuses.
"We wouldn't have been successful if it hadn't been for the many individuals on campus who have provided funds and support," Wilborn said. "For most alumni, Safe Zone was not here when they were students, but they still support us now."
|
