ASU students launch on-campus diversity workshops

Arizona State University students in Tempe are seeking to expand a program dedicated to increasing campus awareness and acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. SafeZONE is a program that helps fight stereotyping and discrimination through education. SafeZONE provides three workshops: SafeZONE 101, Gender Identity 101, and Becoming an Ally, said David Leo, one of about 15 SafeZONE facilitators.

Organizers are working to identify more groups to take the workshops, such as ASU's Residential Life. They want next year's resident assistants to make their residence halls "safe spaces," said James Quinn, president of ASU's LGBTQ Coalition.

"The place you are living is one of the most important places to have a safe space," Quinn said. "It's important for people to realize that not everyone is of the same background. People don't realize that they may be using hateful language or terms that could make someone feel uncomfortable."

SafeZONE workshops, which are two hours long and offered four times a semester, are key to helping closeted LGBTQ individuals, said Lori Girshick, a SafeZONE facilitator. "Maybe if enough people went, closeted individuals would know that there is nothing wrong with being who they are," Girshick said. "The issue of LGBTQ sensitivity isn't about special rights. It's about basic human beliefs and compassion."

In addition to workshops, SafeZONE also provides a list of nearly 30 local businesses that have designated themselves as LGBTQ-friendly. (AP)

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