Safe Zone Training Essay

I chose to attend Safe Zone Training program for my diversity forum assignment. The reason I attended this event was because as a Muslim immigrant from Pakistan I was not aware of LGBTQ rights and issues, while growing up I did not have anyone to explain to me what LGBTQ stands for how you deal with these issues and how normal it is. Pakistan being a predominantly Muslim country still does not recognize LGBTQ as a community. People are still struggling to make a space for themselves and help minority groups. Last five years while living in United States I have often come across conversation related to gay rights and homosexuals and I found myself short in handling the conversation because of having very little knowledge. This was my reason

Sex, gender and sexual orientations are different and what part is played my respective identities in a person’s life. We discussed issues faced by gay, lesbian and transgender people in college and work environment. Due lack of knowledge related to LGBTQ issues, we often approach situations in a wrong manner and one small ignorant mistake can embarrass them. Everyone should be very considerate in dealing with transgender people pay necessary attention on their pronouns and how they wanted to be perceived. Our presenter talked about the myths people have towards LGBTQ community and what these baseless myths make these people feel. As a group everyone shared their experiences and how they felt when they approached a situation with limited knowledge. We discussed coming out process and how every single person chose a different time and space to make this conscious to come out. No one has the right to out someone or even disclose their identity without their consent. This definitely sounds like a natural or a common thing but no one really spend time understanding the effect this step can have on others. These types of little things were discussed in a very helpful manner, which made sense and resonated with