Safe Zone Ally programs have been in existence on college campuses for several years. Schools such as Emory University, Northern Illinois University, Emporia State University, Western Illinois University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Duke University, and hundreds of others have implemented such programs. The Safe Zone Ally program fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, faculty, and staff by creating a visible network of allies. Safe Zone Allies act as resource persons who can provide support and information while respecting privacy.¹

Safe Zone Ally programs employ a visible network of people, including students, faculty and/or staff members. Persons who have attended some training agree to post, wear, display, etc. a symbol that indicates involvement with the program. The role of an ally varies, but by posting the symbol, the participant agrees to listen openly, confront homophobic jokes or comments, use inclusive language, keep shared information confidential, and educate him/herself on issues related to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender concerns.

In February 2000, a fraternity pledge was tied to a tree on the campus of the University of Florida. "I am a fag" was written on his face.² This was just the one example of the homophobia that exists within the Greek system all across America. Other acts of intolerance and bigotry are exemplified, and the need for support is evident in the stories written by the women in this book, as well as in the stories of men in Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity.³

Greek life is representative of American life in general--groups of people coming together with common interests and concerns. Many gay and lesbian people enter into Greek life with the same interests and concerns held by their brothers and sisters. The greatest goal of the Greek community is fostering brotherhood and sisterhood. A study by Douglas Case indicates that lesbian, gay, and bisexual students join fraternities and sororities for reasons similar to those of heterosexual students.⁴ These reasons include friendship and camaraderie, a support group and sense of belonging, and social activities. Homophobia hurts brotherhood and sisterhood by inhibiting the development of close friendships. Of course, developing friendships is one of the central components of Greek life.

With possibly 10% of Greek students being gay, lesbian, or bisexual, it is becoming increasingly important for Greek communities to recognize and appreciate their GLB members. Creating a Safe Zone program is an excellent way to accomplish this goal and to create an environment free of homophobia.

As mentioned previously, many college campuses currently have Safe Zone programs, and your institution also may have one. The question is, "Have you or your sisters ever heard of it?" We hope the answer is "yes," but chances are the answer is "no." Creating a Greek Safe Zone Ally program can provide visibility to your group and other members of the Greek community. Visibility is the cornerstone of the Safe Zone Ally program. By creating a visible network of allies, we can create an atmosphere of support and love for our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters. You may ask, "Why do we need a Greek Safe Zone Ally program if my institution already has a program?" A great question! We believe Greek communities can become a part of an existing program, but we also advocate creating something unique. Such a strong negative image exists regarding Greeks and homophobia. Safe Zone is a visible, proactive way to combat this image and to show support for closeted members within the Greek system specifically.

Clearly we are not doing something correctly when it comes to the issues of support and love. In the survey by Douglas Case, more than 70% of those responding said they had encountered homophobic or heterosexist attitudes within their chapter. Also, of those students who were GLBT, only 12% came out to someone in their chapter.⁵ This is not a welcoming environment, yet we would all like to believe that our chapters are open to diversity. Displaying the Safe Zone symbol, providing training to members of the Greek community, and educating ourselves on issues of sexual orientation form the path to creating a welcoming environment in the college Greek system.

• Assess the needs of the Greek community of which you are a part. Are there GLBT members of the Greek community at your institution? Chances are the answer will be "yes," although many members may be closeted.
• Seek the support of a campus department or office. Your institution may already have a Safe Zone program. If so, enlist the help of its coordinators to help you get started. If not, try the student affairs/services area. Someone there should be able to help. Talk to the Greek advisor as well.

• Create effective publicity and promotion for the program. I am a big advocate of the WIFM theory: What’s In it For Me! As it is with any program, people need to know how they can benefit by participating. The answer is simple. An environment that is welcoming and supportive for all brothers and sisters benefits everyone, not just heterosexuals. Every bit of promotion you do for the program needs to send this singular message.
• Do not be discouraged if enthusiasm among Greek members is lacking. One or two Safe Zone Allies are better than none. Not every member of the Greek community is ready or willing to take on this role. You do not want to force anyone to become an ally.

To be an ally is to unite oneself with another to promote a common interest. People who are allies are not only helpers, but also have a common interest with those whom they desire to help. In an alliance, both parties stand to benefit from the bond or connection they share.⁶ An ally is a person who believes society is a better place through inclusion of all people rather than the exclusion of people. He or she educates him/herself to develop an understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

The benefits of becoming a Safe Zone Ally are many. You have the opportunity to learn so much more about people who are GLBT and how your values and beliefs about sexual orientation affect your own life and the lives of others. You can impact the life of another person by being a role model and simply by caring enough to listen. This is what brotherhood and sisterhood are all about. The role of ally is also the role of an educator. Confronting derogatory language or jokes, teaching others what you have learned about GLBT issues, and speaking supportively about GLBT concerns are the cornerstone to what it means to be an ally. Your support or care for another person may be the only support and care that that person has in his or her life. Becoming an ally means you are empowering yourself to fight prejudice and bigotry in the world. You become strong!

I would be naïve if I let you believe being an ally was easy or without risk. As a vocal ally, I truly understand these risks. Others will speculate about your own sexual orientation, so you have to be comfortable with who you are. You will become the subject of gossip and rumors. In the Greek community this can be especially difficult. Morality and values often play a role in discussions about sexual orientation, so you must be comfortable yourself with your morality and values.

The benefits of creating a Greek Safe Zone and becoming a Safe Zone Ally outweigh the risks. Such endeavors also help to meet that goal that is common to all Greek organizations--fostering an environment of brotherhood and sisterhood. What is in it for me, as an individual, is also important. The knowledge of the individual impact that allies can make is very significant. Knowing that you made a difference in the life of another person is powerful.

Safe Zone Ally programs do work. Students who have started such programs say that they feel Safe Zone helped them to improve the overall campus climate. It is comforting for students to know there is a safe place to discuss issues of sexual orientation, and that there is education of the campus community regarding these issues.⁷ A Greek Safe Zone Ally program will work for Greek communities as well. While Greeks are less likely to be a part of or know about campus Safe Zone programs, they need it most for closeted members to feel safe and to create environments that are free from homophobia.

Creating a Safe Zone program specifically for Greek communities is paramount. Many times Greek organizations have visibility and power on college campuses that other student organizations do not have. Showing that the Greek community on your campus is supportive to GLBT people proves that Greeks believe in brotherhood and sisterhood, for all people. Greek organizations were founded on the principles of challenging the status quo and embracing the rights of all people. Live up to this principle.

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