Safe Zone training offered to District Employees
April 30, 2021 |
The District Committee for Community, Inclusion and Diversity (DCCID) will host a virtual Safe Zone training, with a focus on LGBTQ+, open to all employees from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
Safe Zone training is geared to help individuals become a safe zone where people can
be heard without judgement and feel supported.
Anthropology Professor Laura González of Miramar College who is the organizer of the training session said, “Although this training focuses on the LGBTQ+ community, being a safe zone extends to everyone.”
Although various safe zone training sessions have happened at campuses for years, this will be the first for the District Office. According to Program Coordinator for the District’s Workability III Program and DCCID Chair Jamila DeCarli, in the past training had focused predominantly on faculty, classified professionals, and administrators on the campuses who worked more directly with students. “However, we recognize that our LGBTQ+ colleagues deserve the same kind of resources and support in the workplace.”
The goal of the DCCID is to provide opportunities for colleagues to come together in a safe, supportive space to learn about the communities they represent and interact with.
This Safe Zone training will address appropriate terminology and vocabulary regarding the LGBTQ+ community as well as pronouns, names and scenarios that may come up in the classroom or workplace. The goal of the training is to make the District a safer and more inclusive place for LGBTQ+ students and employees.
Jaime Sykes Seiverd (they/them) is a Research and Planning Analyst at the District Office and will be one of the presenters. “As a non-binary employee who uses they/them pronouns, misgendering is an everyday experience for me, regardless if my pronouns are visible on my Zoom name or email signature, or even if I verbally provide them at the beginning of the meeting. I think this is really a reflection of society in general, where we make assumptions about people based on how they present or look. It is really important that instead of just memorizing pronouns and names, we also shift our thinking of others so that we begin to break down those assumptions and view people as they tell you they truly are, and not how you assume them to be.”
González added, “Most importantly, I hope the training increases attendees’ sense of compassion and empathy. This is one of the highest at-risk student populations in terms of violence, homelessness, and suicide risk. Micro- and macro-aggressions (bullying, using slurs, violence, preventing them from using bathrooms) can be commonplace. Just one adult, a teacher, staff person, mentor, honoring their identities as people can make all the difference.”
“I think that there is a perception that because there is LGBTQ+ inclusive messaging or images on campus that that is enough, but inclusive messages from the college do not necessarily translate into every experience our LGBTQ+ students have when they engage with faculty, staff, or their peers. A safe and inclusive environment starts with each of us,” Seiverd said.
Previous trainings for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have included honoring military members for Veterans Day, highlighting faculty and employees with disabilities who also have additional identities that are often marginalized (race, gender identity, sexual orientation), and workshops on Cultural Humility and Allyship/Co-Conspiracy. There was also a lecture by Dr. Joy DeGruy, author of Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome.
A future event that is in the works is a workshop titled, “Let’s Get Real: Courageous Conversations” with Master Facilitator Lee Mun Wah on May 7, 2021. On May 10, Dr. Anthony Campo, professor and author of “Latinos of Asia,” will give a presentation for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
To attend the May 26 Safe Zone training please email Professor González at Lagonzal@sdccd.edu to R.S.V.P. and receive materials/information in advance.
Join the Zoom meeting here. Password: 522086