Being educated allows you to develop a positive contribution to your community life. If you are seeking a resource to become a safer, more educated person for the LGBTQIA+ community, then EIU has a great Safe Zone Training program for you! 

There was a training session held on Sept. 14 from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. The session was open to the public and created an outlet for people to become stronger allies and safer people for the members of the gender and sexual diversity (GSD) community!  

The training was led by Tanya Willard, the director of New Student and Family Programs and the coordinator for the GSD Center.

Willard was accompanied by Theo Edwards. Edwards is the GSD Center Graduate Assistant and the Secretary for EIU Pride. Both Willard and Edwards gave many educational viewpoints regarding how to become a safe zone.

A safe zone refers to not only a place but a person. You can be a “safe zone” for anyone to come and talk to when they need it most.

The topics being addressed during the session included: GSD terminology, the coming out process, heterosexual privilege, facts and myths about the GSD community, the riddle homophobia scale and ways to engage in quiet activism.  

Jacob Adcock can be reached at 581-2812 or at jadcock@eiu.edu.