Safe Space Programs in K-12 Schools: Creating a Visible Presence of LGBTQ Allies

Abstract

Safe Space Programs can provide school staff with critical knowledge and skills to create a supportive learning milieu for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in K-12 schools. The literature related to Safe Space Programs suggests that they may be instrumental in helping alter anti-LGBTQ climates in schools. This article illustrates how Seattle University's Graduate Counseling program developed a student advocacy organization to provide Safe Space programming to school personnel in local area schools.

KEYWORDS:

• LGBT advocacy
• LGBT Competence
• safe schools
• Safe Space Programs
• safe zone trainings
• school counseling advocacy
• social justice