In 2004, the LGBT Resource Center created a university-wide 'safe zone' program for supportive Allies of the LGBT Community called the Faculty & Staff Ally Program. The program started with about 20 interested participants and today it has grown in participation with over 100 faculty and staff participants.
Interested participants are asked to begin their participation in the program by attending mandatory orientation sessions, offered at the beginning of each semester, to learn about the LGBT campus resources and student experiences. For their participation, faculty and staff members receive a ‘safe zone’ sticker to post in their workplace. This posting of this sticker indicates to students that the faculty and staff members are supportive to the LGBT Community and that they are aware of the campus resources.
In addition, faculty and staff participants are highly encouraged to continue their involvement and education about the LGBT Community by attending monthly luncheon discussions that address current issues affecting LGBT students at USC. For example, past discussions have addressed mental health, substance abuse, marriage equality, international student perspectives and how to combat homophobia in the workplace and much more.
If you are interested in participating please attend an Ally Orientation and Introduction Session. Below are dates for the fall 2011 semester and you can click here to view the full calendar of events. Feel free to download the Faculty & Staff Information Handout.
Fall 2011 Ally Discussions
- Thursday, September 1 - Ally Discussion:
- Thursday, October 6 - Ally Discussion:
- Thursday, November 3 - Ally Discussion: SB 48-FAIR Education Act Moving Forward at 12 pm to 1 pm in Ronald Tutor Campus Center (TCC) Room 350/351
RSVP for the discussions.