1) Doesn't Cornell already have a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation?
2) If I participate, do I have to go to meetings?
3) I work on campus, can my supervisor tell me not to display the card?
4) How should cards be displayed in a shared space, like a residence hall room?
5) Do I need special training?
6) What can I do if some one needs help?
7) What are homophobia, heterosexism, and gender identity oppression?
8) What should I do if I experience a negative reaction?
9) What does it mean if someone does not display a card?
Doesn't Cornell already have a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation?
Yes, Cornell does have a nondiscrimination policy and a statement on diversity and inclusiveness in place. However, the Safe Place project is not a university policy.
It is a public statement of one’s personal support and affirmation of LGBTQ members of our community. This project goes beyond the university policies; it puts them into action,
helping to change the campus climate.
If I participate, do I have to go to meetings?
No; participating in the Safe Place project means only that you support the principles of the project, as outlined on the Participation page, and that
you are knowledgeable of the project resources and prepared to respond favoraby to LGBTQ individuals. It does not mean that you are a member of any organization, political or otherwise,
and it does not require attendance at meetings, because there are no meetings.
I work on campus, can my supervisor tell me not to display the card?
No; displaying a Safe Place Card is a personal choice. Supervisors
cannot prohibit their staff from displaying the card in their personal work
space as it does not interfere with work. All that participants are asked to
do is display the card and be aware of the resources
on this website. If you are asked to remove the card by a supervisor please
report this to the Office
of Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Life Quality.
How should cards be displayed in a shared space, like a residence hall room?
If you share a space with others, such as a room in a residence hall, you should not display your Safe Place Card in a manner that might suggest that everyone in that space is supportive.
For example, placing the card on the door of a residence hall room implies the full participation of all who use that space when this may not be true. To avoid potential confusion,
it is best to display the card as prominently as possible in your personal space, such as on your side of the room or near your own desk.
Do I need special training?
Due to the scope of the Safe Place project at Cornell, we could not make a
training component a prerequisite, as it does at many other institutions. However,
we strongly encourage participants interested in Diversity Training to contact
the Office of Diversity, Education and Outreach, located at 210 Willard Straight
Hall, via email. Through Peer Educators
in Human Relations (PEHR), a six-week diversity training program is offered
each semester.
What can I do if some one needs help?
If an individual in need of assistance approaches you, you should refer to the resource page of this site. Do not offer counseling unless you are a professional. As a participant in
this program you are simply expected to be knowledgeable of the available resources and point people toward those that can best help them if the situation arrises. However, most participants will not be confronted by
individuals in crisis.
What are homophobia, heterosexism, and gender identity oppression?
According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, homophobia is the irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals. It implies a deep emotional misgiving.
Heterosexism is a broader term; according the the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), it is the belief that heterosexuality is "better" or "normal," or homosexuality is "sick" or "immoral."
It does not imply the level of hatred that homophobia does and can describe the seemingly innocent thoughts and behavior based on these beliefs. Heterosexism is far more ingrained in our laws, customs and institutions.
One can begin to eliminate heterosexist behavior by using more inclusive language, not assuming everyone is heterosexual, and avoid the use of stereotypes.
Gender identity oppression is the discrimination against individuals who do not fit into standard gender roles or are transgender. One's gender identity is their innermost sense of self as male/masculine, female/feminine,
somewhere in between, or somewhere outside of these gender boundaries. Sometimes this innermost sense does not correspond with anatomy.
What should I do if I experience a negative reaction or bias?
Though at other institutions negative reactions were rare, they are always
a possibility. All participants should be aware that the defacing or destruction
of a Safe Place Card constitutes a bias-related incident and should be
reported to your Residential Advisor (RA), if you live on campus, and the Office
of Workforce Diversity, Equity, & Life Quality via a Bias
Reporting Team member, such as the Coordinator of the LGBT Resource Center.
Also, in such an event, please contact
us, and we will send you a replacement card. Any other negative response
that constitutes
a bias incident should also be reported.
What does it mean if someone does not display a card?
Cornell is a diverse community and, as such, not everyone will want to address issues through the same actions. Displaying a card is a powerful statement that some may not be comfortable making. Not displaying a card does not imply that a person is not supportive, it simply means they have decided not to participate or, perhaps, have not heard of about the project.
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