Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Contact Us

Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Kendall Hall, Room 118
530-898-4764
diversityoffice@csuchico.edu

Regular Hours
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Monday–Friday

Mailing Address
Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
400 W. First St.
Chico, CA 95929–0123

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Safe Zone Ally Program

Become a Chico State Ally

The Safe Zone training program is a 2-hour introductory training that invites participants to learn about LGBTQIA+ issues, provide resources, and create a supportive environment for LGLBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff exploring issues of sexual identity, gender identity, and gender expression.

Ally Training

To become a Chico State Ally, you are required to attend a training.

Spring 2024 training dates:

  • March 28, 2024, Thursday from 2:30-4:30 pm
  • April, 15, 2024, Monday from 11:00 am-1:00 pm

Please register by filling out the registration form.

For more information, please contact Yvette Zúñiga, Associate Director, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, yzuniga@csuchico.edu .

About the Safe Zone Program

Mission Statement

The mission of the Chico State Safe Zone training program is to challenge homophobia, transmisogyny, cis- and heterosexism on the university campus and community by encouraging welcoming and inclusive environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer or Questioning, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Key Concepts

  • The Safe Zone Project is a completely voluntary program. All participating members must be committed to the principles of the program in order for it to work effectively.
  • An individual may be an ALLY for the LGLBTQIA+ community, however their actions mean little if they simultaneously put down other groups of people on the basis of their race, culture, gender, social status, or physical and mental abilities.
  • Displaying a sticker means that a person is participating in the safe zone campaign. However, if a person does not display a sticker, there is no negative connotation. For example, in MADD's campaign to eliminate drunk driving, participants' display a red ribbon tied to their car antenna to signify that they are not driving drunk. However, when one sees an antenna without a red ribbon, one does not assume that the person in the car is driving under the influence.
  • An individual who chooses to go through this program and obtain a sticker is going above and beyond the requirements of the non-discrimination clause. As with the MaDD example, there can be NO assumptions made regarding an individual who does not display a sticker.

CSU, Chico endeavors to provide an environment conducive to growth in mind, spirit, and human sensibility. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, under any program of the University. (adapted from the University non-discrimination statement)

What is an Ally?

  • Someone who is committed to providing visible, tangible support for the LGLBTQIA+ community.
  • Someone you can go to for day to day advice, and know that your sexuality is not an issue and is not something you have to worry about concealing.
  • Someone who is committed to providing a confidential safe zone for members of the LGLBTQIA+ community – a place where your actions and words do not have to be guarded.
  • Someone who is available as reference for anyone with questions about sexuality issues. An ally may not always have an answer, but should know where to find it.
  • A role model for the straight community.
  • Someone who has agreed to continually improve their knowledge about the LGLBTQIA+ community and issues via inservice training sessions and campus programs.
  • Someone who agrees to combats homophobia and heterosexism on a personal level.
  • Someone who believes that our campus is enriched and enlivened by the diversity of LGLBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff.
  • Someone who can comfortably use inclusive language, avoid stereotyping and be actively aware of heterosexism.
  • Someone who agrees to support other allies.

An Ally is Not:

  • (Necessarily) a licensed, professional counselor, but an ALLY can offer someone a menu of alternative sources for help.
  • A spokesperson for the LGLBTQIA+communities at large, but an ALLY is an individual that can speak for themselves from their experience
  • An expert on the "coming out" process, but an ALLY is someone who is sensitive to and concerned for individuals during this process. An ALLY can offer someone a selection of other to whom they can speak.

Safe Zone Resources

safe zone ally graphic