Interdisciplinary studies sophomore Judy Sanchez and biology and psychology senior Thelma Salazar attend the Safe Zone Ally Training for the LGBTQAI+ community on Oct. 19 in the Student Academic Center on the Edinburg campus. The training is open to anyone interested in learning more about the community as well as becoming an ally/L esley Robles/The Rider
By Brenda Garza | THE RIDER
Student Involvement conducted a Safe Zone Ally Training for those willing to become an ally to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning/Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQAI+) community in the Student Academic Center on the Edinburg campus.
“The training is meant to bring awareness about the LGBTQAI+ issues, and also, how to create more empathy and bring more relations, so everyone can understand where this community is coming from,” said Genesis Moreno, an English and general studies major and student assistant at the Student Involvement Office.
The program’s goal is to train a network of supportive people, called Safe Zone Allies, who can provide support, a welcoming environment and give information about the LGBTQA+ within the campus community.
Asked why she attended Wednesday’s event, Kassandra Tijerina, an interdisciplinary studies junior, replied, “I’m very open-minded [and] a people lover.”
Judy Sanchez, an interdisciplinary studies sophomore, said, “[The training] is about how to approach people in the LGBT community and how to make them feel comfortable.”
Greek adviser Kristen Garza and Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc. President Yolanda Escobedo played key roles before the training took place by advising the sorority’s sisters about the training.
“We had this day reserved,” said Thelma Alvarez, a senior biology and psychology major and Sigma Lambda Gamma sister. “Our Greek leaders told us three weeks ago.”
Tijerina and Sanchez said they both learned about the event from their Greek leaders.
“I’m just here to show support,” Alvarez said. “I think that it’s really nice to make everyone feel welcome. It doesn’t matter like what religion, sexuality or any other thing that may make you different to other people I think everyone should be included in everything and made comfortable with everyone.”
Student Involvement welcomes anyone attending the university into the program to become an Ally.
“An Ally is someone who tries to not only become aware of what’s going on but also wants to gain knowledge, tries to communicate the knowledge that they have, and tries to become actively involved in the LGBTQAI+ communities,” Moreno said. “It’s really about empathy. It’s really about letting people seeing not just the surface of someone, but seeing all of them and embracing all of them.”
The next Safe Zone Ally Training will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Student Academic Center in Edinburg. All students are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Student Involvement at 665-8796.
