University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Pitt-Johnstown Seal

"Safe Zone" defined

"If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."

                                                                                                                   -- John Kennedy, 1963

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly".

                                                                                        --Martin Luther King, Jr., 1963  

                                                                                           

The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown strives to be instructive and respectful of the diverse needs of students, taking race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, family status, sexual orientation and disability into consideration. Students, faculty and staff strive to fully develop their respectfulness and sensitivity to the diversity each brings to our campus community. We embrace the belief that it is our diversity that enriches and energizes our spirit and our culture.

YOU are a "safe zone" for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to the extent that YOU:

  • Are aware of the presence of LGBT students, faculty and staff in our campus community
  • Are willing to interact with them in a genuine and non-judgmental manner about all issues, including those that impact them directly
  • Do not tolerate homophobia and heterosexism in any form, such as caustic remarks, "jokes", behaviors, cartoons, language, grafetti, etc.
  • Do not silently tolerate related comments or actions, but rather, address the offending person in a corrective, educational, informative and non-threatening manner
  • Learn as much as you can about the issues that impact the LGBT community
  • Change your false / innacurate beliefs or oppressive attitudes toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.    

 

Last Reviewed: December 17, 2007