Safe Zone is a program that sends a message to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth and their allies. A person displaying the symbol is one who will be understanding, supportive, and trustworthy if a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person needs help, advice or someone with whom he or she can talk. The person who is displaying the symbol is also a person who can give anyone accurate information about sexual orientation issues.

Fargo, N.D., May 7 — The North Dakota State University Office of Equity and Diversity and the Safe Zone Program have formed the NDSU Pride Network, a new group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender faculty, staff and graduate students. The group is looking to identify relevant issues and concerns at NDSU to ensure a safe and inclusive campus community.

"We are excited for the opportunity to bring LGBT faculty, staff and graduate students together to support each other and identify ways to assist administration in ensuring that NDSU is a welcoming and inclusive environment of all people,” said Josh Boschee, co-chair of the network. “As NDSU continues to make progress in recruiting new employees and graduate students, a group like the Pride Network will be valuable in enhancing the diversity that makes up our campus community."

The NDSU Pride Network is considering measures for ensuring privacy in arranging future meetings for people who prefer to remain private about their sexual orientation or gender identity. If you have concerns or ideas regarding privacy, please contact one of the co-chairs.

“Dr. Myers from the Office of Equity and Diversity approached us about starting a group for NDSU employees since none existed," said Kristen Benson, co-chair of the network. “There is a need for visibility and recognition of issues relevant to LGBT faculty and staff as the university strives to become a more diverse community. We hope to learn more about the experiences of LGBT people on campus regarding issues ranging from policy to safety. The Pride Network aims to create and maintain a safe place where LGBT faculty and staff can locate community and find support. I deeply appreciate that NDSU now acknowledges these concerns and is supportive of the NDSU Pride Network.”

The NDSU Pride Network is in collaboration with the NDSU Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity and Community. For more information, visit the Diversity @ NDSU Web site at www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/winjum/Diversity%20 Website/ glbta.html.

For more information on the NDSU Pride Network, contact Boschee at (701) 231-8565 or joshua.a.boschee@ndsu.edu or Benson at (701) 231-5879 or kristen.benson@ndsu.edu.

NDSU Memorial Union Friday, April 4, 9am-4pm
To register, download the registration form and mail or email in.
Registration is $10 per person.

Call 701.231.7787
Kara.Gravley-Stack@ndsu.edu
Angela.M.Mathers@ndsu.edu

Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20, 2007
Creating an inclusive community at North Dakota State University
Recognizing and honoring victims of violent crime.

12:30pm - Century Theater, NDSU Memorial Union
                 • Brown Bag Lunch “I Knew My Gender When…”
        
7pm - Arikara Room, NDSU Memorial Union
          • Community Vigil
          • Viewing of film Boys Don’t Cry
          • Community discussion featuring: Lieutenant Greg Lemke, Fargo Police          Department and Christi McGeorge, Family Therapy Center, NDSU

Sponsored by: Safe Zone Ally Program, NDSU Family Therapy Center

Download the Safe Zone logo HERE.

Who can be a Safe Zone Ally?

NDSU faculty, staff, and students who want to visibly show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons can volunteer to be part of the Safe Zone Program. Individuals interested in participating must attend a Safe Zone training workshop. Here is a list of Safe Zone allies and resources.

For further information about the Safe Zone program and upcoming training dates, please contact:

Supervisors

Angela Mathers
Graduate Assistant for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement
Angela.M.Mathers@ndsu.edu
701.231.7350

Kara Gravley-Stack
Assistant Director for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement
Kara.Gravley-Stack@ndsu.edu
701.231.8566

Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines ally as:

1 : to unite or form a connection between : ASSOCIATE <allied himself with a wealthy family by marriage> 2 : to connect or form a relation between (as by likeness or compatibility)

An ally can also be thought of as a member of a majority group who works to end oppression -- in their personal and professional life -- through support of and as an advocate for an oppressed group.

Many people in our community and campus grew up with unexamined heterosexist attitudes, assumptions, and behaviors. It takes time to overcome attitudes and behaviors to which people have become acclimated to. We believe that becoming an ally of non-heterosexual people will help in moving from heterosexism to an alliance described below.

Click on each category to see the items under it

For a current list of allies, click here.

There are a number of ways allies can show support for GLBT people

• Pay attention to the words people use to describe themselves. Not everyone identifies as "gay" and "lesbian," and even fewer prefer "homosexual."
• Use non-gender-specific language. Ask, "Are you seeing someone?" or "Are you in a committed relationship?" instead of "Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?" or "Are you married?" Use "partner" or "significant other" instead of assuming that someone has a husband or wife.
• Do not assume the sexual orientation of another person even when that person is married or in a committed relationship. Many bisexuals, and even some gay men and lesbians, are in heterosexual relationships. And don't assume that someone who is transgendered is gay or that the person will seek to transition in order to appear heterosexual.
• Do not assume that gay, lesbian, or bisexual person is attracted to you just because they have disclosed their sexual identity. If any interest is shown, be flattered, not flustered. Treat any interest that someone might show just as you would if it came from someone who is heterosexual.
• Challenge your own conceptions about gender-appropriate roles and behaviors. Do not simply expect people to conform to society's beliefs about "women" and "men."
• Validate people's gender expression. For example, if a male-born person identifies as female, refer to that person as "she" and use her chosen name. If you are unsure how to refer to a person's gender, simply ask them.
• Speak out against statements and jokes that attack GLBT people. Letting others know that you find anti-GLBT statements and jokes offensive and unacceptable can go a long way towards reducing homophobia.
• Educate yourself about GLBT history, culture and concerns.
• Encourage your group or organization to adopt a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation. Make sure that it is enforced.
• Help heterosexual students understand that GLBT people are a presence on campus and in society. They do not have to accept GLBT students, but they must learn to live peaceably with them. 
• Support GLBT students because they add to the vibrancy of thought, activity and life on campus; not because it's politically correct. 
• Display gay-affirming materials in a public location to raise awareness and show support.

Professional Issues Conference Event

Thursday, October 11th is NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY!

Please stay posted for other upcoming events. They will be posted here as soon as the information is available to us.

Safe Zone Ally Training Sessions:
Safe Zone at NDSU is a program intended to provide information and resources for people wishing to be Allies for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community at NDSU.  Attendees in training sessions will learn about various issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity, privilege, and how to be an Ally.
Wednesday, January 30 – 10am to 12pm – Hidatsa Room
Tuesday, February 12 – 9:30am-11:30am – Arikara Room
Wednesday, April 2 – 3pm-5pm – Arikara Room

Social Justice Retreat: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Details to follow. Contact Student Activities Office for registration information
Saturday, April 19 – all day – Alumni Center

Safe Zone Drive-In Workshop
Students, staff and faculty from regional colleges and universities are invited to attend this workshop to learn more about creating and maintaining a Safe Zone Ally program on their campuses.  For more information, please contact the Student Activities Office.
Friday, April 4 - Memorial Union

Thursday, September 13th, 3pm-5pm, Lake Agassiz, MU.
Monday, September 26th, 10am-12pm, Lake Agassiz, MU.

If you would like to get more information, contact Kara.Gravley-Stack@ndsu.edu.

If you would like trainers to present on GLBT or Safe Zone topics to your class or group, please contact us.

Resources for GLBT Students in the Fargo-Moorhead Area

Houglum Lutheran Church
Rural Lake Park, MN. For information about times for church services and directions to the church, call 701.298.8122 or 701.231.7517.

Minnkota Center
810 4th Avenue South, Suite 204, Moorhead, MN 56560. Telephone: 218.287.4636 or 1.877.871.4636 (toll-free)
Minnkota Center is a nonprofit, community-based organization providing safe and affordable counseling services for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning individuals.
Email them.

OutFront Minnesota Website
OutFront Minnesota is an organization serving the GLBT and allied communities of Minnesota with a wide variety of programs and services.
Visit their website

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), holds meetings the 2nd Sunday of each month from 4-6 p.m. at Cross Way Center, 1420 Crossway Drive, West Fargo.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.
Email them or visit their website

Prairie OASOS (Prairie Open and Affirming Sexual Orientation Support)
The website provides a listing of GLBT resources in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Visit their website

Pride Collective & Community Center
116 12 th Street South, Moorhead , MN 56560. Telephone: 218.287.8034. Working to support the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community of Fargo-Moorhead and the Red River Valley.
Visit their website or email them.

Ten Percent Society (MSUM/NDSU) Website
A dual-college student organization that provides social activities, support, and education to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered students, faculty and staff and straight allies on the campuses of Minnesota State University Moorhead and North Dakota State University and in the Fargo-Moorhead community.
Visit their website

Ten Percent Society (UND) Website:
The University of North Dakota Ten Percent Society is the oldest gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered organization in the state of North Dakota , since 1982.  Our primary goal is to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for LGBT students, faculty, and staff. 
Visit their website

Unitarian Universalist Church
121 9th Street South, Fargo. Telephone: 701.235.0394 

Safe Zone Training Resources

- Beyond Tolerance: Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals on Campus by Nancy J. Evans and Vernon A. Wall
- Toward Acceptance: Sexual Orientation Issues on Campus by Vernon A. Wall and Nancy J. Evans
- "Using Collaboration to Create a Safe Climate for LGBT Students," presented by Michigan State University at 2001 ACPA Conference in Boston
- "Safe Zone Training: Resident Assistant Inservice," Albion College
- Safe Zone website: www.rmc.edu

Suggested Readings

- My Son Eric, by Mary V. Borhak
- Coming Out to Parents, by Mary V. Borhak
- Dirt, Greed & Sex, by William Countryman
- Now That You Know, by Betty Fairchild and Nancy Howard
- Beyond Acceptance, by Carolyn Welch Giffen, Marion J. Wirth, and Arthur G. Wirth
- On Being Gay - Thoughts on Family, Faith and Love, by Brian McNaught
- Is the Homosexual my Neighbor ? by Letha Scanzoni & Virginia Mollenkott
- The New Testament and Homosexuality, by Scrogs
- Uncommon Heroes, by Phillip Sherman
- Those People at that Church - The St. Francis Lutheran Cookbook, by Wayne A. Strei, published by St. Francis Lutheran Church
- Stranger at the Gate - To Be Gay and Christian in America, by Rev. Mel White
- We Were Baptised, Too - Claiming God's Grace for Lesbians and Gays, by Marilyn Bennett Alexander & James Preston
- Straight Parents, Gay Children, by Bob Bernstein
- Homophobia - How We All Pay the Price, edited by Warren T. Blumenfeld
- When Someone You Know is Gay, by Cohen, S. & D., published by M. Evans & Co., NY
- Jesus Acted Up - A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto, by Robert Goss
- Breaking the Surface, by Greg Luganis
- Parents Matter, by Ann Muller
- Honor Bound, by Joe Steffan
- One Teen Ager in Ten - writings by gay and lesbian youth. Allyson Publications, Boston

Links

President's Diversity Council

National Organizations

www.aclu.org - American Civil Liberties Union
www.glad.org - Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
www.glaad.org - Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
www.glnh.org - Gay & Lesbian National Hotline
www.gpac.org - Gender Public Action Coalition
www.glsen.org - Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
www.hrc.org - Human Rights Campaign
www.iglss.org - Institute for Gay & Lesbian Strategic Studies
www.lambdalegal.org - Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund
www.nclrights.org - National Center for Lesbian Rights
www.lgbtcampus.org - National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education
www.ngltf.org - National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
www.scoutingforall.org - Scouting for ALL
www.qrd.org - Queer Resources Directory
www.nolose.org - National Organization for Lesbians of Size
The Gay Vote
National Journal of Sexual Orientation Law
Sexual Orientation- Science, Education and Policy
Gay Today

Bisexual Resources
www.binetusa.org - BiNet USA
www.bisexual.org - Bisexual.org
www.biresource.org - Bisexual Resource Center

Transgender
TS Roadmap
Transgender Guide
Dr. Becky
Susan's Place  -  Transgender Resources
HRC Transgender 101 -  Human Rights Campaign Transgender Guide

Intersex
www.isna.org

GLBT Persons with Disabilities
www.deafqueer.org
www.gimpgirl.com/lists/queergirlies

People of Color GLBT Sites
www.virtualcity.com
www.glas.org/lazeeza.html
www.blk.com
www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/1424    Columbia- Out of the Closet
www.lgirtf.org - Lesbian & Gay Immigration Rights Task Force

Youth Resources
www.lambda10.org - GLB Greek Issues
http://nyacyouth.org - National Youth Advocacy Organization
www.outproud.org - National Coalition for GLBT Youth
www.youthresource.com - Youth Resource

Family Resources
www.pflag.org - Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
www.colage.org - Children of Lesbians & Gays Everywhere
www.familypride.org - Family Pride Coalition
www.gayparentmag.com - Gay Parent Magazine
www.ldsfamilyfellowship.org - LDS Family Fellowship

Faith & Religion
www.cathedralofhope.com - Cathedral of Hope
www.changingattitude.org - Gay Anglicans
www.dignityusa.org - Gay Catholics
www.gaychristians.org - Gay Christians
www.rainbowbaptists.org - Gay Baptists
www.gaybuddhist.org - Gay Buddhists
http://glbtjews.org - Gay Jews
www.lcna.org - Gay Lutherans
www.affirmation.org - Gay Mormons
www.al-fatiha.net - Gay Muslims
www.mlp.org - Gay Presbyterians
www.umaffirm.org - Gay United Methodists
www.soulforce.org - Soulforce - Mel White
www.ucccoalition.org - United Church of Christ
www.ufmcc.com - Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches

Online Magazines

www.advocate.com - The Advocate
www.curvemag.com - Curve
www.lavendermagazine.com - Lavender
www.lesbiannews.com - The Lesbian News
www.planetout.com - Planet Out
www.gayscribe.com - Extensive listing of Gay/Lesbian Publications