Faculty, students and staff at the University of Guelph can now receive training to increase their awareness and support of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.
The Positive Space Project, a two-part training module, was developed with input from members of U of G’s LGBTQ2SIA+ community. Those who complete both components on the training will receive a Positive Space Project decal for display in their workspace.
In a press release, U of G's sexual and gender diversity adviser with the Student Experience, Jarred Sanchez-Cacino, said the training aims to help develop skills and resources needed to work successfully with members of LGBTQ2SIA+ communities while making the campus a safe, welcoming environment for everyone.
“The module is for everyone on campus and will be particularly helpful for those in positions that involve a lot of interaction with many others in the campus community,” said Sanchez-Cacino, who created the module along with U of G’s training, education and inclusion officer Joseph Pazzano.
The two-part training addresses key concepts, including LGBTQ2SIA+ identities, allyship, coming out and terms and use of inclusive language. It also provides guidance on how best to support LGBTQ2SIA+ faculty, staff and students at U of G.
Part one of the training consists of an online module accessible through CourseLink or the DHR website. The second part is an in-person workshop led by an experienced facilitator to turn that information into practice and action.
Indira Naidoo-Harris, associate vice-president of diversity and human rights at U of G said while the university fared better than many other campuses in a 2019 study of LGBTQ2SIA+ university students province-wide, there’s still room for improvement as members of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community are uniquely affected by various issues.
“This training is important and will provide our students, faculty and staff with the valuable tools and resources they need to create safer and respectful environments for everyone at U of G,” said Naidoo-Harris in a press release.
“The University’s deep commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion begins with a solid foundation of understanding, and this training is the first step towards long-lasting, systemic change.”
She said full equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ2SIA+ community is directly connected to addressing racism, colonial violence, ableism, misogyny and other systems of oppression.
“This training will bring an intersectional and anti-oppressive lens to equity and inclusion practices at the U of G and lay the foundation for a strong culture of belonging for everyone in our campus community.”
Those interested in participating in the training are asked to send an email to: [email protected].
