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Mission and Purpose Statement The Safe Zone project is designed to improve visibility and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered (GLBT) students and employees. While other minority individuals can often identify role models and mentors, the invisibility of secual orientation makes it very difficult for GLBT members of the Cal U community to ascertain where they can safely turn for support and information. The Safe Zone project will identify easily recognizable individuals who will be available to provide these resources. The Safe Zone symbol is a message to GLBT students and colleagues that an employee has participated in the Safe Zone training and is committed to increasing their knowledge of and sensitivity to GLBT issues. The symbol allows the campus community to identify program members and know that they can speak freely with these individuals about issues, including sexual orientation and gender identity, which may affect their academic success or job satisfaction. Safe Zone members will be able to provide assistance as needed, including referrals. Since the Safe Zone project also stirves to improve the campus climate for GLBT individuals, the symbol also means that the Safe Zone members will challenge homophobic and heterosexist comments or behaviors in an educational and informative manner. In short, the Safe Zone program is about improving the lives of Cal's GLBT people by the following means: Increasing visibility Identifying services Improving campus climate Encouraging activism
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