Albert Einstein College of Medicine's LGBTQ+ Safe Zone program is designed to increase understanding of and the capacity to address issues that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people face and to create and maintain a network of informed allies who are part of our campus community. All academic departments and centers at Einstein have staff and faculty who have been trained to be Safe Zone allies and create a safe and supportive campus environment.

Safe Zone training familiarizes allies and advocates with common experiences of the LGBTQ+ population, including commonly used terms and stereotypes; the coming-out process; how to recognize hetero-centrism, heterosexism, transphobia, and homophobia; and on-campus resources for LGBTQ+ students. Goals of the program include the following:

  • empowering Einstein students, staff, and faculty to serve as advocates and/or allies to members of the university community who identify as LGBTQ+
  • ensuring that members of the Einstein community are treated with respect regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, or ability
  • educating students, staff, and faculty on how to create a supportive atmosphere in which LGBTQ+ members of the university community feel that they can safely express themselves
  • providing training to students, staff, and faculty about how to respond to situations and problems that LGBTQ+ members of the university community might face
  • raising awareness in the university community of its collective responsibility to work against bias, prejudice, and bullying

After completing Safe Zone training, students, faculty, and staff can display a Safe Zone sign on their lockers, desks, backpacks, or office doors. This signifies support for LGBTQ+ people and identifies those who display the sign as advocates and/or allies who can be safely approached for support or guidance. If you would like more information about how to receive Safe Zone training, contact the office of diversity enhancement at diversity.enhancement@einsteinmed.edu.