• Visibility is an important part of being a person trained in Safe Zone. Advocates and allies are expected to display the Safe Zone Card in a location that is visible to others.

    As a person trained in Safe Zone, you are expected to:

    • Provide a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment for students, faculty, and staff.
    • Respect others' experiences and views.
    • Be an active listener.
    • Be discreet and respect privacy.
    • Use inclusive, non-gender-specific language that does not reflect assumptions about the gender identity or sexual orientation of others.
    • Learn about resources for LGBTQIAGNC (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, gender-non-conforming) people at The New School and in the surrounding community so that you can provide appropriate referrals.
    • Know your own biases and fears. Know what you are comfortable talking about, and be prepared to refer individuals to others when necessary.
    • Know your limits. Know when it is necessary to refer individuals to an expert who can assist them better.
    • Provide honest feedback at the close of training to improve the program.
    • Participate in periodic assessments of the effectiveness and impact of Safe Zone.
    • Attend Safe Zone workshops and meetings to practice your skills and receive further education about LGBTQIAGNC issues and concerns.

    Building Skills as an Ally and/or Advocate

    A Safe Zone ally and/or advocate is someone who offers support to LGBTQIAGNC individuals or communities. As a Safe Zone advocate, you are expected to gain:

    • Awareness: Familiarize yourself with the experience of people who identify as LGBTQIAGNC through reading articles and books and attending workshops, and build awareness through self-examination.
    • Knowledge and Education: Learn about policies, laws, and practices affecting LGBTQIAGNC people. Educate yourself about the many communities and cultures within the LGBTQIAGNC community.
    • Skills: Learn to apply your awareness and knowledge when interacting with others. You can acquire skills by attending workshops, role-playing with friends or peers, and developing support connections.
    • Action: Taking action is an important way to effect change in society as a whole.

    Important Points to Keep in Mind

    • Remember that gender identity and sexual orientation are only part of a person's identity. Individuals must also deal with other aspects of their identity: socioeconomic status, religion or faith, race, ethnicity. An understanding of intersectionality is critical for effective social justice work.
    • Be aware that any person you talk to could be straight, gay or lesbian, bisexual, questioning, queer, trans, intersex, asexual, and/or gender nonconforming.
    • Avoid using terms such as boyfriend and girlfriend; use partner or spouse instead.
    • Recognize that coming out is a process and not a one-time event. The process of coming out is unique to each member of the LGBTQIAGNC community and poses challenges that may not be widely understood.
    • Understand that we live in a society lacking in awareness of issues of gender identity and sexual orientation. As a result, both straight and LGBTQIAGNC people suffer from internalized biphobia, transphobia, homophobia, and heterosexism.
    • Remember that LGBTQIAGNC people are diverse; each community within the LGBTQIAGNC community and each individual within each community has unique needs and goals.

    What can I do?

    • If you work in an office or belong to an organization, review its publications. Suggest changes to remove noninclusive language.
    • Avoid making homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, and heterosexist remarks, jokes, and statements. Consider speaking with others making such remarks or jokes to raise their awareness.
    • Create an atmosphere of acceptance in your environment through education. Share your experiences with others.
    • Join with LGBTQIAGNC people to protect their civil rights and constitutional freedoms.
    • Report all instances of harassment or discriminatory behavior to the appropriate school officials.
    • Display materials supporting the LGBTQIAGNC community (flyers for activities, posters, cards, a Safe Zone sign, etc.).
    • Seek out accurate information and stay up-to-date about issues affecting the LGBTQIAGNC community.
  • Contact Us

    Tracy Robin

    Associate Provost for Student Health Services

    80 Fifth Avenue, 3rd floor

    New York, NY 10011  
    [email protected]

    212.229.1671 x2818

     

  • Suicide Prevention Hotlines

    Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    800.273.8255

    Trevor Lifeline
    LGBTQ Suicide Prevention Hotline
    866.488.7386

    LIFENET
    Crisis Hotline for NYC Residents
    English: 800.543.3638
    Spanish: 877.298.3373
    Korean and Chinese: 877.990.8585

    Trans Lifeline
    Trans-Run Suicide Prevention Hotline
    877.565.8860

  • Take The Next Step

Submit your application

Undergraduates

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Graduates

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

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