Safe Zone Program
The Porterville College Safe Zone program was created as a way for our campus to create a supportive environment for the LGBTQIA+ community. Safe Zones are places on our campus where representatives have decided to publicly identify themselves as making an effort to understand and support the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Safe Zone Project at PC promotes awareness of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Workshops can provide education concerning related issues and seek to improve the environment for sexual and gender minorities.
Safe Zone Goals:
- To increase awareness of LGBTQIA+ individuals and issues.
- To build a visible support network of LGBTQIA+ allies on PC's campus.
- To improve the climate for the LGBTQIA+ community at PC.
- To make allies visible to and involved with LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff.
Campus Contact:
If you are a PC Student or a community member who needs more information regarding LGBTQIA+ matters at Porterville College, please email Jasmin Quinones and she will be more than happy to assist you.
More Information:
Since homophobia and limited understanding negatively impact LGBTQIA+ individuals, we strive to make it known that the LGBTQIA+ population is welcome in any environment at PC. Our campus identifies a growing network of students, faculty, staff, and community members who are willing and prepared to provide support and information to LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The Office of Student Life offers Safe Zone workshops to every department, student group, or program on campus that we can. In order to do so, we need your help in two ways.
- Spread the word that the Safe Zone program has been revised. If you have not attended the new Safe Zone, sign up today!
- Facilitate Workshops: In order to create a program that truly reaches the entire PC community, we need help facilitating the workshops. Please consider giving your time and talent to assist us in educating people about LGBTQIA+ issues. If you are interested, please contact Jasmin Quinones by emailing studentlife@portervillecollege.edu. This is an opportunity to build your skills and provide a necessary service at the same time!
FAQ
- What is LGBTQIA+? LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus.
- What if I am not LGBTQIA+, but want to be supportive, can I participate in this program? Absolutely, you would be called an ally, which is anybody who actively tries to create a supportive environment for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In some places, the term ally is actually reserved for “straight people” who support the LGBTQIA+ community. However, at Porterville College, we have decided to use ally in a slightly different sense. Here, an ally is anybody (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or straight) who makes an effort to understand and support the LGBTQIA+ community.
