For the past two years, the largest number of reported bias crimes and incidents have been related to sexual identity and orientation. These bias incidents tend to make lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) members of the community feel isolated and afraid to live openly. The Cornell University Gay-Straight Alliance (CUGSA), supported by the Office of the Dean of Students, and in cooperation with the LGBT Resource Center, has initiated the Safe Place project, which has been endorsed by the Diversity Council, to help LGBTQ people feel more accepted and appreciated on campus. The Safe Place Card affirms support for a more inclusive campus that values all of our students, faculty, and staff. According to a study of a similar project at Iowa State University, the presence of Safe Place Cards on campus lessens the negative psychological impacts of bias incidents and, ultimately, leads to a decrease in the number of bias incidents.

To achieve the ultimate goal of making the prevailing social climate of the Cornell community more inclusive and supportive of its LGBTQ members, the Safe Place project sets out to:

Affirm LGBTQ identities on campus
Allow for open discussion of LGBTQ issues
Make resources more available to the campus community

To participate in this project complete the reply form. You will then receive a Safe Place Card, which can be prominently displayed in your office, in your workspace, on your door, or in your residential community.

Displaying a Safe Place Card is a public proclamation of your support and affirmation of LGBTQ members of our community. It identifies your space as a supportive environment where issues related to sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity expression can be openly discussed. This card is an acknowledgment of the importance of speaking out against discrimination of this nature. Therefore, we encourage both straight allies and the LGBTQ community to display it.

The card's mere presence and visibility will create an environment that is more accepting and embracing of LGBTQ people and will, thereby, raise awareness about homophobia, heterosexism, and gender identity oppression.

Those displaying the cards are not expected to act as counselors. If you are approached by a person in need of guidance, you are expected to use the resources available through this website to direct that individual to the proper service or organization. A low-traffic email list will inform participants of any new, pertinent information and updates to the project.

LGBTQ individuals are an integral part of our community, and we believe that it is important that all members of this community see that supportive environments do exist on campus. If you have any questions please, contact us.