LGBTQ Promotes Safe Zones

The LGBTQ of UC held a Safe Zone meeting at UCBA Thursday, October 24.
The purpose of the meeting was to renew the membership of current members and to recruit new members and allies.
Led by T.N. Vaught, Program Coordinator at UC Clifton Campus, the meeting commenced with a PowerPoint presentation on the different definitions involved in the LGBTQ Community, how to correctly use them, how to approach a potential or known member of the community and basics on how to respectfully initiate a conversation with a member.
Informational packets were provided to each attendee, with an optional membership contract as well as a complimentary pen and magnet, which is intended to be displayed in a visible place to convey openness and alliance with the group.
It was made clear that, within this particular group of individuals seeking to educate and broaden the community's scope of awareness, all questions were welcome and that nothing was off-limits.
"There is no such thing as a stupid question," said Vaught. "Within this room, this group of people, we want you all to ask questions knowing this is a safe environment."
Vaught also informed the group that using gender-specific pronouns such as "he" and "she" were non-friendly in the LGBTQ Community, as they assign gender in a place where gender is meant to be "free-range" and unassuming. In other words, it goes against the whole purpose of the group's initiative.
It was also made clear that it is always the respectable "code" thing to do to first be sure individuals are comfortable and indeed willing to discuss their sexuality and such preferences first.
It also was made clear that it is totally unacceptable to discuss another party's sexuality or sexual preference without the consent of the person beforehand. This is called "outing" and could do serious damage to victims if it were not their right to keep their preferences private.
The meeting spanned about two hours as advertised, and during that time the group participated in role-playing, many questions were answered, and generous snacks were provided.
For more information on the LGBTQ group of UCBA as well as on the UC Clifton Campus, contact Program Coordinator T.N. Vaught at vaughttn@mail.uc.edu.