Starting in the fall of 2013, the Safe Zone program will be split into two training sessions: Safe Zone 101 and Safe Zone Ally Training.  If a person is just interested in learning more about the LGBTQ community and the inequalities faced by this community, Safe Zone 101 is the place to begin.   However, if a person feels comfortable with their knowledge of the LGBTQ community, but instead want to be a Safe Zone Advocate and Ally, they can participate in the Safe Zone Ally Training.  To become a Safe Zone advocate, a person must participate in a one-hour interactive training session where the participants will be asked to examine their personal beliefs and, if they choose, share their thoughts with other participants and the presenter.  Once the training is complete, there are promotional items that a participant can take to display in order to show a “Safe Zone” or represent the participant as an LGBQT Ally.

Safe Zone has been on campus since 1996 and has had countless attendees across the Laramie Community.  The Safe Zone symbol appears in many areas of campus such as Dean of Students Office, ASUW, RA’s rooms, Admissions as well as many other departments and offices.  Safe Zone has transitioned to being a student employed program over the years to draw in a more relatable crowd.  Students are highly encouraged to attend the trainings in the hopes that they can expand their own perceptions as well as recognize other perceptions.   Safe Zone is not meant to change a participants mind, it’s an open dialogue forum to express and explore opinions about cultural identity.

For more information or to sign up to attend Safe Zone training, please contact the Campus Activities Center, 012 Wyoming Union, call (307)766-3117, or e-mail safezone@uwyo.edu directly.