BY GARY LI
On Tuesday afternoon, the Student Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion office organized Student Organization Safe Zone Training in The Pioneer Room on the second floor of Memorial Union.
Tina Wolbert, the Assistant Director of Student Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion introduced Safe Zone is training where students, faculty, and staff can learn more about the LGBTQ community. This training provides a core vocabulary, offers individuals the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about gender and sexual identities.
The training on this particular day was geared toward students and was mainly facilitated by Malaree Hood, Student Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion’s graduate student. The training has both small and large groups of activities to share perspectives and increase knowledge of the LGBTQ community.
During the training, participants actively spoke and raised questions, and even exchanged group members for group discussion. After the training, participants asked relevant questions and the organizers were patient and meticulous in their answers.
“During this program, you can learn more about the LGBTQ community and different ways to gain more knowledge about identities are privileges and that sort of thing,” Hood said. “During this training, something to gain for as a participant would be you are now certified to be a safe zone for people to come and talk to, and be able to speak openly about your experiences, whether you are a member of the LGBTQ community or not.”