Lexi Smith knows how difficult it can be for students sometimes to find support. She’s in charge of outreach for Northwestern’s Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Alliance.
“A lot of people having issues with their sexuality don’t know where to turn,” said Smith, a Weinberg junior.
In respsonse, NU is starting a program called Safe Space to increase awareness and support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. Members of BGALA, a student-run organization, kicked off the Safe Space program Friday afternoon at their annual reception.
BGALA and a student-faculty committee have been putting students in touch with counselors for years. The new program is designed to expand the existing support network and make the people in that network easier to identify.
Faculty, resident assistants, career counselors and students interested in joining the program can apply online for a short training session, said Kiersten Elliott, area coordinator for the Foster-Walker Complex and a founder of the committee. The first session will be in the near future, she said.
Accepted applicants will be trained to provide “safe spaces” for students by studying the issues facing them and learning to help them cope.
“This will be a really valuable opportunity to create dialogue on this issue,” Matthew Barbour, BGALA president.
After completing the training session, new members will receive stickers to put outside their offices or dorm rooms. The stickers will identify them as resources for others. Safe Space members will be expected to display the stickers, share helpful information and keep all talks confidential.
Passing out stickers and pins that show support for students is nothing new to NU or other schools, Elliott said. But the Safe Space program will assure that such stickers are given to people who understand issues about sexual identity and are prepared to counsel students looking for help, she said.
Sarah Warner, a Speech sophomore, said she plans to apply for the first training session.
“I’m not a lesbian, but I have many gay friends, and it’s my duty as a good friend to understand these issues,” Warner said.
More information about the Safe Space program and applications for training sessions are available at www.stuaff.northwestern.edu/Safe_Space/
