LGBT Resource Center
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-4014
Phone: 713-743-5463
Fall Training Dates
Friday, September 28, 2012, 9a.m. - 12p.m. | Room 341 McElhinney
Thursday, November 1, 2012, 1p.m. - 4p.m. | Room 341 McElhinney
Friday, November 30, 2012, 9a.m. - 12p.m. | Room 341 McElhinney
To register – Employees log into PASS, choose Request Training and search "Ally"
Students contact Lorraine Schroeder, LGBT Resource Center Director
at 713-743-5463 or LSchroeder@uh.edu
To increase the safety and comfort level for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (GLBTQ) students, staff, and faculty at the University of Houston by training allies to be able to respond knowledgably and sensitively to expressed needs.
The training assists faculty, staff and students in increasing their awareness of issues that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people face. In a non-threatening setting, CAT teaches participants to create an accepting campus environment for UH’s LGBT population. Allies are given a placard to display as a visible statement of support for the LGBT community
Increase the diversity training of staff and faculty on the University of Houston. To provide factual information and dispel myths about LGBT individuals Reduce homophobia and heterosexism on campus To provide a safe and open environment to talk about issues of sexual orientation Train safe and knowledgeable people to act as allies who are willing to provide support and information for LGBTQ staff, faculty, and students.
View a list of people
who have taken the training and
are willing to be publicly identified as Cougar Allies.
Feel free to contact any of these people for more information about the training.
An open-minded listener who strives to become familiar with LGBT issues while recognizing his or her own limitations, is willing to be a safe person to talk to and is able to refer people as necessary.
Expected to be a counselor or trained to deal with crisis situations. (Know your limits and refer).
Expected to be an expert on LGBT issues and have ready made answers.
Expected to defend the “Cougar Allies” or participate in debates of this nature.
"Very interactive"
"I liked the visualization exercise, activities, and panel. Basically, I loved everything!"
"Everyone was friendly and willing to share their knowledge."
"This class should be offered to more people on campus."
"Great job!"
"A very useful training, keep it up!"
Hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States have programs called by different names, but often “safe zone” or “safe space.” Safe Zones are commonly identified as “ally” programs where members of the LGBT communities receive support and understanding. The earliest known program was at Ball State University which started in 1992. After the death of Matthew Shepard in 1998, the number increased dramatically. Safe Zones provide highly visible and easily identifiable spaces where support and understanding are key and discrimination and bigotry are not tolerated.
