SAFE ZONE PROJECT 

What is the Safe Zone Project?

The Safe Zone Project provides gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their heterosexual allies with a visible means of indicating support for the GLBT community. A Safe Zone sticker indicates a "safe space" for GLBT people to be themselves. When placed on office doors, residence hall room doors and other public spaces, these stickers contribute to the creation and maintenance of a safer campus for all people.

What does it mean to display a Safe Zone Sticker?

Displaying a Safe Zone sticker means that you value the diversity of people and see GLBT people as an integral and valid part of that diversity. On a more concrete level, displaying this sticker means that you are comfortable discussing GLBT issues with others and want to demonstrate your support. You may find that your sticker precipitates conversation about gay rights with an acquaintance, elicits feedback from your friends or even prompts someone in your life to come out to you. Safe Zone stickers do not indicate one’s complete and absolute GLBT knowledge; Safe Zone stickers simply encourage campus community members to approach you as a resource.

Because of the serious nature of GLBT issues, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Allies Council has several expectations for Safe Zone Project participants. Those displaying the Safe Zone sticker should:

• Be supportive of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people;
• Become knowledgeable of the resources available at UMaine;
• Be willing and able to refer to one of the available resources if unable to assist personally;
• Be aware of the impact a Safe Zone sticker will have on his or her area; and
• Remove stickers when permanently vacating rooms or offices.

If you would like to post a sticker in your office or residence hall, please contact Sierran Lucey at Sierran.Lucey@umit.maine.edu.