Proposal Spring 2019 Student Safe Zone
Sponsored Research Newsletter
Making Safe Zone Intersectional at Seneca Falls Dialogues, Seneca Falls, NY
Hannah Fahy ’20, Madeline Reichler ’20, Sarah Lilley ’19, Steph Adams ’20, Jessica Bansbach ’20, Vanessa Cepeda ’19
Sponsor: Alice Rutkowski, English/Women’s and Gender Studies
WHAT IS YOUR PROJECT? The Safe Zone Program at Geneseo provides three-hour trainings that familiarize participants with the basics of LGBTQ+ identities, how to be a better ally, and what resources are available on campus. We presented on our ongoing efforts to make the Safe Zone program more intersectional. During our presentation we explored ideas regarding Safe Zone’s accessibility to people with disabilities and to people whose first language is not English, Safe Zone’s approach to acknowledging and addressing other types of oppression as they intersect with those that are sexuality and gender-based, and Safe Zone’s optimal approach to teaching the concept of intersectionality to the trainings’ participants.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PRESENTING AS A GROUP? We were able to divide the work of the presentation so that each person or pair had a discrete goal and workload. We were able to lean on each other during challenging moments, offer support to one another, and refine our work by consistently presenting our progress within our small group.
HOW HAS THIS PRESENTATION/PROJECT IMPACTED YOUR LONG TERM PLANS? We at Safe Zone are constantly seeking to improve the program. We plan on further discussing the topics we brought to the conference at our January 2018 retreat where they will be shared with all of the trainers in the program, not just the interns. New interns will join the program in spring 2019 and their work will include further developing and implementing an intersectional approach to LGBTQ+ ally education.
WHAT DID YOU ENJOY THE MOST? We enjoyed connecting with other people in the same field of study. We were able to talk to so many people of all ages and walks of life who are passionate about women and gender studies. Hearing about their work was wonderful, and they were excited to hear our work as well!
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER STUDENTS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN MAKING A CONFERENCE PRESENTATION? Make sure that you get yourself and any group members organized early! Presenting at a conference is very beneficial to personal and academic growth, however it can be a lot of work. That’s why it’s incredibly important to get started early. This is especially important if you’d like to get a travel grant, which I highly recommend applying for. One last piece of advice for anyone interested in making a conference presentation is to go for it! You will learn a lot about your field of study, presenting, and yourself. An added bonus is that it gives you an opportunity to make new connections.
