OMA Unveils New ‘Safe Space’ Program

A national Coming Out Day event originally intended as the launch of a safe space program found itself becoming a forum for issues of race and tolerance, as it was thrust into the debate over the recent spate of racially charged incidents.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Office of the University Chaplain, and leaders of the campus LGBT communities joined forces to broaden the scope of the previously-scheduled Queer Awareness Month event, entitled “In the Zone,” to discuss and respond to the racist noose hung on the door of a black Teachers College professor.

At the event, OMA launched its “Safe Zone” program, which creates designated safe spaces­—marked by special signs—for LGBT students, with personnel trained in counselling students who may feel unsafe, for whatever reason.

“Safe Zone” seeks to provide “an avenue through which allies can actively express their affirmation for the LGBT community, students of color, and those with multiple identities,” explained Kerry Poynter, head of LGBT programming at the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

The event gathered Dean of Student Affairs Chris Colombo, Dean of Columbia College Austin Quigley, and School of Engineering and Applied Science Vice Dean Morton Friedman together with queer student leaders in Roone Arledge Auditorium for speeches and questions.

Discussion at the event also focused on the limitations of rapid administrative responses to threatening offenses and the need to foster support for queer students on campus.

“Our excellence depends upon, and derives from, our inclusiveness,” Quigley said.
“It is crucial that we speak truth to power and we will no longer stand silent reacting to events as they happen, but rather we must examine ways in which such incidents can be prevented or better handled,” Aries dela Cruz, GS and communications head of the Columbia Queer Alliance, wrote in an e-mail to students.

But Columbia Queer Alliance President Peter Gallotta, CC ’09, expressed skepticism, saying that administrators “don’t get it.”

Wearing a t-shirt advocating that others “Question Authority,” Gallotta said that “these conversations are frustrating.” According to him, although administrators say they share the goals of queer students, the two groups have different aims.

“Administrators don’t do what we really want them to do because they can’t relate to our experience.”

Others felt differently. “They are really making an effort to make changes at SEAS,” said CQA Secretary Cait Clancy, SEAS ’08. Clancy spoke during the event about the hope she felt when a SEAS first-year told her, “I can’t believe I can finally just be gay.”
CQA’s originally scheduled celebration of National Coming Out Day would have involved tables set up around Low Plaza, at which queer students and allies could
pledge their reasons for support on cards.

Following the event, leaders of queer student groups discussed their reactions and noted that coming out is different for everybody. “We come out every day,” said CQA’s Bryan Reid, CC ’10, who had given a speech and posed questions from the audience during the program. “We come out against hate.”

Betsy Morais can be reached at news@columbiaspectator.com.