Structure of the Program
The Michigan Tech Safe Place Program is made up of a network of faculty, staff, student, and community member Allies who serve as resources for individuals with questions or concerns related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) identities.
Safe Place Allies display the program logo, which lets students know that Allies are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff. Allies play an important role on campus and within the context of the Safe Place Program:
- They provide a safe and accepting environment
- They listen (but do not counsel)
- They help students form support networks
- They answer questions about LGBTQIA+ resources on campus and in the local community
- They assist students who need to report harassment
Ally Participation
Participation in the Michigan Tech Safe Place Program is voluntary. Those who wish to serve as Allies go through an intensive training that addresses LGBTQIA+ identities, the issues LGBTQIA+ students face, ways to assist LGBTQIA+ students, and ways to prevent and deal with heterosexism and cissexism. Safe Place Allies are not expected to know everything about the LGBTQIA+ community or be able to answer every question that students might ask; however, their role in the program is pivotal because they create visible spaces across campus that serve as initial points of contact for students who have questions or need assistance.
Allies serve the LGBTQIA+ community by showing support and awareness, speaking up in the face of microaggressions and other forms of LGBTQIA+ oppression, and answering questions and/or referring students to other on- or off-campus resources.