Sycamore Safe Zone

Sycamore SafeZone (SSZ) is an ally development program created to establish a campus that is safe and affirming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) students, faculty and staff.

The SSZ program encourages students, faculty, and staff to explore cultural identity, values, and stereotypes in order to better understand how these issues impact the university, Terre Haute, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Level 1 - Safe Zone 101 – This training is designed to introduce participants to the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals. Safe Zone 101 will introduce terminology, pronouns, language, symbols related to sexual orientation & gender identity, address bullying, homophobia and heterosexism, and dispel myths and misunderstandings. This level of training is required for those that have not attended a previous Safe Zone training. It is a prerequisite for Levels 2 and 3 workshops.

Level 2 - Sycamore Ally - This level of training is designed to provide participants with information that will help them become better informed allies for the LGBTQIA+ community. Participants must have completed a Safe Zone workshop at ISU within the last year. This level will begin the discussion of historic and current issues facing LGBTQ communities, sexual orientation vs. gender identity, coming out process, race, religion, identity development models, and cisgender privilege about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals. Level 1 is a prerequisite.

Level 3 - Sycamore Advocates - Advanced Safe Zone trainings are designed for participants who have completed Safe Zone 101 and Sycamore Ally portions of Sycamore Safe Zone. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of specific target topics and identities. The purpose of these workshops is to allow participants to discuss and think critically on how our university can continue to be a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and what participants can do to become stronger allies and advocates. Levels 1 & 2 are prerequisites.

If you would like to schedule a group SafeZone training workshop, please complete a Workshop Request 

If you have any questions, please email Sycamore SafeZone Coordinator, Drew Taylor at dtaylor34@sycamores.agemboutique.com

Quick Links

Comprehensive List of LGBTQ Terms

Gender Neutral Bathrooms

Gender Neutral Housing

General Inclusive Pronouns

Gender Identity

A gender identity in which a person feels their gender is between 'male' and 'female' and feels both masculine and feminine simultaneously. An androgyne person may feel more masculine than feminine, more feminine than masculine, or an equal amount of both at any given time. Presenting androgynously is not a requirement for this gender identity.

Gender Nation Glossary

Gender Basics

Educate yourself on different gender expressions. Begin with the basics.

·       Understand gender

·       Broaden your awareness

·       Learn more pronouns

·       See people’s stories

·       Create inclusive forms

·       Highlight bias

International Pronouns Day - Wednesday, October 20, 2021

International Pronouns Day seeks to make asking, sharing, and respecting personal pronouns commonplace. Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity. Being referred to by the wrong pronouns particularly affects transgender and gender nonconforming people. Together, we can transform society to celebrate people’s multiple, intersecting identities. To register or learn more information about the day, please visit http://pronounsday.org/

LGBT History

LGBTQIAP Awareness Days

Students may use a “preferred” first name and/or salutation that differs from their “legal” name within certain campus systems. This is permissible whether or not their name has been changed legally. This is permissible if the ‘preferred” first name is not being used for the purpose of misrepresentation. The “legal” name will continue to be used in all University-related systems and documents that require a verified legal name. Please contact Registration and Records if you have questions regarding either process.

Pronouns FAQs

Pronouns are connected to gender expression. According to GLAAD, gender expression is the "external manifestations of gender, expressed through a person's name, pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, and/or body characteristics." The pronouns you want people to use are your preferred pronouns. Allow people to represent themselves authentically.

·       LGBTQ Pronouns: A How-to Guide

·       Pronoun Selection Practice

·       Take the Pronoun Pledge

·       The Pronoun Project

Suggested Book and Video Suggested Reading List