After much deliberation, meeting with students, faculty and staff to ask questions and gauge what education would be most supportive on U of A's campus, The LGBTQ+2S Resource Center has redesigned our Safe Zone program to meet the University of Arizona's campus community members' need for institutional support in moving people on campus into action. With an all new curriculum, the Solidarity Coalition trainings address what active solidarity with LGBTQ+2S people and communities looks like in practice. By participating in a training, you and your peers can become part of the coalition to change the material conditions for queer and trans people on campus and Southern Arizona.
After much feedback and discussion with students, faculty and staff, the LGBTQ+2S Resource Center determined that it was necessary to redesign our Safe Zone program to meet the University of Arizona's campus community members' need for institutional support in moving people on campus into action.
With an all new curriculum, the Solidarity Coalition trainings address what active solidarity with LGBTQ+2S people and communities looks like in practice. By participating in a training, you and your peers can become part of the coalition to change the material conditions for queer and trans people on campus and Southern Arizona.
The LGBTQ+2S Resource Center no longer offer Safe Zone trainings, however we believe you will find Solidarity Trainings offer all the information in Safe Zone while also more directly meeting the needs of the University of Arizona and addressing the roots of LGBTQ+ oppression.
We are currently only offering Solidarity Coalition trainings in person, as we have found this is most effective for collaboration, discussion, and coalition building. If you have any accessibility needs, please contact us. It is important to us that everyone is able to participate in our trainings.
If you are interested in working with us, you can sign up for individual trainings here or department trainings here.
Anyone with a UA Net-ID is able to sign up for the a Solidarity Coalition training. This includes faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Anyone can enroll in this workshop, regardless of gender or sexuality.
If you are interested in working with us, you can sign up for individual trainings here or department trainings here.
Our trainings take time, as it is important to cover theory and best practices as well as provide time for discussion and activities. Individual trainings are 3 hours long. We are not able to cover all of our material in a shorter amount of time and ask that departments ensure they have availability for a longer training before signing up. If you have questions or concerns about this, please contact us at ualgbtq@gmail.com.
If you are interested in working with us, you can sign up for individual trainings here or department trainings here.
As a whole, the University of Arizona currently does not require that staff, faculty, and students participate in the Solidarity Coalition. That said, individual units (e.g. courses, departments, workplaces) might require that their students or employees complete a Solidarity Coalition training.
The Solidarity Coalition team does not mandate that anyone complete our trainings. If you are having any difficulties with being required to take a Solidarity Coalition training, we recommend you discuss this with your professor or supervisor.
Individuals cannot be required to complete Solidarity Coalition trainings. We believe that while you can require that an employee or student become educated about the LGBTQ+ community, a person’s decision to practice allyship must be fully voluntary and based in genuine commitment and care.
We no longer provide Safe Zone stickers or certifications. We hope that you still take our trainings because you are passionate about being in solidarity with Queer and trans people!
We are currently developing ongoing programming for individuals and groups that would like to become more involved. If you are interested in becoming more involved in Solidarity Coalition, please contact the LGBTQ+2S Resource Center at ualgbtq@gmail.com.
You can learn more by talking a look at the Continuing Education Resource Guides. Here you will find resource guides on a variety of different topics, such as campus climate, creating inclusive classrooms or department, and on specific identities.
Sign up for our list serve here and follow our Instagram here to keep up with the educational events that the center hosts.
We would love to answer any additional questions you have. Please contact the LGBTQ+2S Resource Center at ualgbtq@gmail.com.