Safe Zone for Students provides safe spaces on campus that are highly visible and easily identifiable to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) persons where support and understanding are key and bigotry and discrimination are not tolerated.
Members display a Safe Zone for Students symbol to demonstrate their acceptance of GLBT individuals. The Safe Zone symbol is a pink triangle encompassed by a green circle. This identifies the person as someone who has chosen to educate her/himself about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues and has information about local resources. The pink triangle is a highly recognized symbol of GLBT pride and the green circle is the internationally known symbol for acceptance. Displaying the Safe Zone symbol does NOT mean that you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender or that you will participate in any GLBT activities. It implies your support to such individuals.
Any Illinois State student interested and willing to be an ally can join Safe Zone for Students. Members of Safe Zone for Students need only to be open-minded and supportive to the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and willing to learn about issues related to sexual orientation. Safe Zone for Students members agree to be respectful of and develop an understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Members also commit to continually educating themselves on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues and are willing to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, as well as other Safe Zone for Students members. Members members also agree to be a resource to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals, as well as make appropriate referrals when overwhelmed or not able to assist an individual. Lastly, and most importantly, Safe Zone for Students members may make a difference in someone's life and possibly never know about it.
