Safe Zone Training & Allies

The goal of the Flathead Valley Community College Allies Program (FVCC Allies) is to promote a campus environment that is inclusive and supportive of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

An ally has been trained and is willing to be visible to and available for members of the LGBTQ+ community on the FVCC campus. Being an ally is more than standing up for a community even when they're not around.

LGBTQ+ students can sometimes find campus environments to be unwelcoming and even hostile. Students whose emotional and physical safety is at risk can experience fear and anxiety, isolation and invisibility, fear of disclosure and high levels of stress.

This can lead to attrition and turnover among promising LGBTQ+ students and staff. Erasure and heterosexism can lead to feelings of invisibility and effect how people interact on campus. As allies, we reemphasize that "we are a stronger and richer campus when all individuals can feel safe to celebrate their true selves."

The best way to become an ally is to attend a training. You can sign up for Module 1 and Module 2 trainings below.

Training sessions will include small group discussions and activities, information about privilege, oppression, and the LGBTQ+ community, and tips for how to be an effective ally.

Everyone who participates in the training will also receive a training materials that include definitions, resource materials, and referral information for programs and services in the community.

The mission of Safe Zone Training is to promote an inviting and inclusive environment that is emotionally and physically safe for LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, where “+” can refer to other identities such as intersex, asexual, pansexual, etc.) students, faculty, and staff.

This is achieved through increasing awareness and education about LGBTQ+ identities and developing and expanding FVCC’s network of LGBTQ+ allies as well as increasing visibility of designated ally Safe Zones on campus.

These free workshops educate and raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues and provide training, resources and tips for being an ally. All students, staff members, and faculty members are welcome and strongly encouraged to attend.

The Safe Zone Module 1 workshop is designed to be an introduction to LGBTQ+ terminology, experiences, and issues. This workshop addresses definitions related to sexual orientation and gender expression, the coming out process, and LGBTQ+ resources available.

In order to participate in the ally development workshop, you must first have completed Module 1. The ally development workshop focuses on expanding the network of LGBTQ+ allies at Flathead Valley Community College. Participants explore the meaning of being an ally, different forms of ally development, and how to apply allyship in their life.

Safe Zone Allies display Safe Zone placards to identify themselves as individuals who have participated in the Safe Zone Training program and have chosen to educate themselves about LGBTQ+ issues. These symbols indicate safe and welcoming places on campus for members of the LGBTQ+ community.