Subject Guides: LGBTQIA+ Resources at USM: Safe Zone: Next Steps

Safe Zone

The Safe Zone Project orientation familiarizes participants with terms used in the LGBTQIA+ community, provides tools for interacting with and supporting individuals with diverse sexualities and gender identities, and creates a safe space for participants to ask questions and bring up concerns. During the orientation, participants are given the opportunity to challenge stereotypes and contemplate the experiences of others. The program focuses on the issues that LGBTQIA+ people face and how we as participants and USM community members can be successful, safe and supportive allies, with the goal of making USM a safe learning and working environment for everyone.

Safe Zone trainings happen every semester at USM. Watch your email for notifications about the next round.

Congratulations! You've completed your first step in becoming a better ally by going through Safe Zone.

The next thing you need to do is keep learning! Use the resources in Books and More and Resources and Orgs to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community. Learn more about the start of Maine's gay liberation movement. Think about what you do in your work or daily life and what barriers might be there for LGBTQIA+ people. Are there ways you could make a change? Challenge the assumptions you have that pop up.

Ask a Librarian for help if there is something specific you would like to look into.

6 Ways to Be an LGBTQ Ally and Supporter

Here in Maine we are fortunate to have an amazing collection of state LGBTQIA+ history. An important source of that history are the oral history collections. They provide some great insights into what it is, and was, like to be LGBTQIA+ in Maine.

All of the following oral history collections (from USM's LGBTQ+ Collection) can be found on the Digital Commons:

Here are some quick videos about gender, sexuality, and the LGBTQ+ community. They are a great way to start your learning.