October was National LGBT History Month, which offered the campus community the opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history from the Stonewall riots 50 years ago up to present day.
Dora Frias, director of the Pride Resource Center at Colorado State University, sat down with CSU Life to share opportunities for faculty and staff, such as the Safe Zone Training program and reflect on LGBT History Month.
While there has been progress in recent years, Frias said it is key to remember is that not all equality problems went away with the passing of gay marriage. There is still inequality, some spurred by recent Supreme Court rulings that have major implications for LGBTQ rights.
Frias encourage people to speak up if they see instances of bias. “If you see something, say something,” she said. “That’s for all identities.”
Programs and events
To combat homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism at CSU, the Pride Resource Center offers Safe Zone training sessions. The curriculum focuses on knowledge, awareness, skills and action, with participants learning about appropriate language and key issues in the LGBTQ community.
The Pride Resource Center also hosts other trainings and workshops for departments, classes, student organizations and other CSU-affiliated programs and groups.
International Pronouns Day also was in October and Frias said one of the best things that individuals can do is simply respect and refer to people by their preferred pronouns. By doing that, students and others within those identities can feel safe and respected.
Frias also mentioned that the campus community can participate in Trans Day of Remembrance in November, a national day of recognition which remembers the lives of trans individuals that have been lost in the past year.
The Pride Resource Center is hosting its Trans Day of Remembrance event in the Lory Student Center’s Grey Rock Room on Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
For more information on events or participate in any training or workshops, visit prideresourcecenter.colostate.edu.
Safe Zone training schedule
Nov. 12 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec 6 from 9 a.m.-12 pm.
Jan. 9 from 2-5 p.m.
Feb. 10 from 2-5 p.m. (open to students)
March 24 from 2-5 p.m.
Get more information and register at prideresourcecenter.colostate.edu/safe-zone.