In light of the latest controversy involving Christian a cappella group Psalm 100, public attention has been called to the issue of discrimination on campus.
Recently, Christian a cappella group Psalm 100 ousted member Will Thomason because of his beliefs about homosexuality.
The director of the LGBTQ center, Terri Phoenix, said she does not think anyone can ever be fully safe from discrimination based on homosexuality on campus.
“There are a lot of people who feel exclusion or fear,” Phoenix said. “That has not changed with the situation with Will or Psalm 100.”
In 1998, the University started a Safe Zone Ally program to create a network of allies within the LGBTQ community and University. The goal is to make campus a safer and more supportive place for all students, faculty and staff members, said Danny DePuy, assistant director of the LGBTQ Center.
Currently, DePuy said there are more than 2,000 Safe Zone allies at the University.
To become a Safe Zone ally, one must attend a four-hour training session. After signing the ally pledge, the trained ally receives a personalized Safe Zone sign to display in his or her office or other visible areas, DePuy added.
According to UNC’s LGBTQ website, the Safe Zone program is a symbol of the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.
Being part of the Safe Zone program and having the Safe Zone sign is a visual cue that you do not have to hide who you are, Phoenix said.
The signs create increased visibility of allies on campus, said Matt Bailey, co-president of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Straight Alliance club.
“Though this seems like it would be insignificant or unimportant, from personal experience I can say seeing the Safe Zone signs around campus had a huge impact on me when I first transferred to UNC,” he said. “It made me feel that it was not only safe to be open about who I am, but also that it was safe to explore my identity.”
Phoenix said the program benefits all students.
“Everyone is negatively impacted by heterosexism and the rigid enforcement of the gender binary,” she said.
For more information or to sign up for the Safe Zone program visit www.lgbtq.unc.edu.
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