The mission of the Safe Zone training program is to challenge homophobia, transmisogyny, cis- and heterosexism on the university campus and community by encouraging welcoming and inclusive environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer or Questioning, and Asexual (LGBTQ+) students, faculty, staff, and community members. The Safe Zone program is a 2 hour introductory training that invites participants to learn about LGBTQ+ issues, provide resources, and create a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff exploring issues of sexual identity, gender identity, and gender expression.

Facilitators

Lindsay Briggs, Ph.D., MPH
Dr. Lindsay Briggs is a faculty member at California State University, Chico. Raised in a feminist family, Lindsay has pursued feminism, equality and social justice her entire life and is passionate about working transdisciplinary to promote social justice in the field of public health and the related fields of gender and sexuality activism. At Chico State she has won multiple awards for her activism on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. Dr. Briggs is invested in and committed to utilizing her background and training in diversity issues and community activism to improve campus life. She actively and continuously works on her allyship striving to align herself with students, staff and faculty on a variety of diversity and inclusion issues, and is committed to ensuring that all perspectives are heard and reflected in the wider university system.

Conner Wenzel
Conner Wenzel is a LGBTQI+ activist and member of the CSU Chico Transgender Taskforce.  He also volunteers at Stonewall Alliance Center serving the last 5+ years as  a facilitator for multiple groups.  When not serving on event committees or educational panels, he puts his agricultural science degree and teaching credential to use by helping folks out as a handy person and also advising local youth with their livestock projects.