| October 9, 2019 | Tresor Ngoyi | reporter |
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For the well being of all TCC students, people should respect students’ beliefs without judgment or being aggressive, according to Kateeka Harris, a volunteer for the district-wide Safe Space Committee.
In an effort to establish safe places at TCC, where LGBTQIA people can feel comfortable, a safe space training was conducted Oct. 2 at TCC NE in NBSS 1103.
Safe Space training should be implemented in a year’s time over all TCC campuses through training, outreach, and information, according to Crimson Hite, a volunteer of the district wide Safe Space Committee.
Initially, volunteer facilitators will do the work.
“We offer information tips, resources and networking opportunities for providing support to the LGBTQIA community,” Hite said. “If anybody is interested in being a volunteer at TCC NE contact me.”
Students or employees who feel they are in a dangerous situation because of their beliefs or of being gay, lesbian or homosexual should have a safe place to go to, according to the training manual.
Safe Space Training hope to help them live freely with freedom of speech.
The Safe Space Program suggests students keep an open mind and suspend judgment . It attempts to provide support, information and confidentiality. The program also maintains and continues to develop a membership of allies who have pledged to support and affirm LGBTQ students.
The training stresses the importance of self-reflection and identification of bias and prejudice among students, faculty and staff participants so they in turn can meet the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) students.
