The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s LGBTQ+ Center conducts Safe Zone training every month for members of the campus community. The training seeks to enrich the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people at UH Mānoa.
Participants have the opportunity to engage in dialogue on building inclusive classrooms, equity in the workplace and non-discrimination on campus.
Jungha Kim is a third year psychology major at UH Mānoa who is all-too familiar with what it is like to be mis-gendered on a daily basis. “People think it doesn’t hurt anyone by misgendering them, but it really does. It shows disrespect and makes me feel less than human,” said Kim.
Kim identifies as a gender non-conforming student and uses “they” pronouns to refer to themselves. They are grateful for opportunities like the Safe Zone Training on LGBTQ+ Equity and Inclusion because they help members of the UH Mānoa community build respect for gender inclusion in the classroom and on campus.
“I feel like I am part of a first-rate learning environment when I am respected for who I am, and faculty take the time to use my preferred name and pronouns,” said Kim.
Respecting individuals’ pronouns and using preferred names is just part of the learning curriculum in the training. Participants share their best practices on how they actively engage their students and co-workers in inclusive campus environments.
“The Safe Zone training is an essential aspect of our university’s commitment to ongoing professional development and tenets of non-discrimination,” said UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno.
All participants in the training will have the opportunity to receive a Safe Zone sign and materials that indicate they are an ally or advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity on campus.
Safe Zone trainings will be offered on the following dates of this academic year and pre-registration is required.
- Thursday, September 26
10:30 a.m. to noon
Campus Center (CC) Executive Dining Room - Friday, October 25
10:30 a.m. to noon
CC 308 - Thursday, November 14
2–3:30 p.m.
CC 308 - Friday, December 13
2–3:30 p.m.
CC 307 - Wednesday, February 5
10:30 a.m. to noon
CC Executive Dining Room - Friday, March 27
10:30 a.m. to noon
CC Executive Dining Room - Thursday, April 16
2-3:30 p.m.
CC Executive Dining Room - Friday, May 8
10:30 a.m. to noon
CC Executive Dining Room - Monday, June 8
10:30 a.m. to noon
CC Executive Dining Room - Tuesday, July 7
2–3:30 p.m.
CC Executive Dining Room
To register for a Safe Zone training, sign up at the LGBTQ+ Center website.
