Safe Zone Training
Sponsored by SeneGAD
Please take a few
minutes to fill out your
questionnaire
Agenda
Section 1 – General Information
• Part A- Introduction of Session and Goals
• Part B- Vocabulary Game
• Part C- Current Gay Rights/Dispelling Myths
Section 2 – Coming Out
• Part A- What is “Coming Out”?
• Part B- Stages of Coming Out
• Part C- Coming Out in PC Senegal
• Part D- Scenarios
Section 3 – Responding
• Part A- Definition of an Ally
• Part B- Anti-Gay Behavior and Beliefs
• Part C- Expectations
• Part D- Role-Play
Section 4 – Conclusion
Section 1: General
Information
Part A- Introduction of Session and Goals
Part B- Vocabulary Game
Part C- Current Gay Rights/Dispelling
Beliefs
Part A: Introduction
and goals
3 main goals of the Safe Zone:
1.To increase staff’s comfort with and
awareness of homosexuality
2.To teach staff how to support PCVs who
come to them with sexual identity issues
3.To make the Peace Corps Senegal a
place where all volunteers can feel safe
and supported
Issues faced by PCTs and PCVs
What are some of the difficulties that Peace Corps
trainees and volunteers face when adjusting to life
in Senegal?
Issues faced by gay/homosexual
volunteers
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Isolation
Depression
Fear of being “found out”
Fear of physical harm
Sexual loneliness and risk
taking
• Loneliness from larger
LGBTQ community
• Family problems
• Lack of trust with others
(i.e. staff)
Poorly Performing
PCV
Peace Corps Senegal Handbook states:
“Volunteers should not disclose their sexual orientation to
their host family members, particularly early in service.
Such a confession may be a source of danger or
discomfort. There is no tolerance for public displays of gay
or lesbian affection in Senegal and homosexual acts
remain illegal here. Homosexuality is not accepted in
Senegal, neither in the culture nor in law, even between
consenting adults. Volunteers who may be accused of
homosexuality risk physical threats or harassment that
may reach a point that the Volunteer may have to leave the
country because of safety concerns.”
Part B:
Vocabulary Game
Part C:
Current Gay Rights/
Dispelling Myths
Current Gay Rights
United States
• Civil Rights - Sexual orientation is not a part of the Federal antidiscrimination laws
• Hate Crimes - Sexual orientation and gender identity is
protected under a Federal Hate Crimes law
• Same-Sex Couples - Six states and the District of Columbia have
legalized homosexual marriage, others may not recognize it at
all or to a lesser degree
• Criminal Law - Homosexual relations between consenting adults
in private is not a crime
• Armed Forces - "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" recently repealed
Situation in Senegal
Homosexual acts are illegal in Senegal and punishable by
jail time (maximum of 5 years)
• 96% of the population said homosexuality should be
rejected by society in a 2007 survey
• 5 men arrested in 2008 during "gay marriage"
controversy. Photos printed by Icone magazine
• 9 men arrested, 5 of which received 8 years in prison in
2009
Worldwide
• 5 countries, as wells as parts of Nigeria and Somalia
enforce a death penalty for homosexual acts
• 76 countries persecute homosexual acts
• 58 countries have laws protecting LGBTQ individuals
from various levels of discrimination
• 32 countries provide civil unions or marriage
opportunities to same-sex couples
Dispelling Beliefs
• Homosexuality is not a mental or physical
disorder
• Conversion therapies have negative effects
• Homosexuality is not contagious or passed from
person to person
• LGBTQ people exist in every country, culture,
and population
What do you think causes homosexuality?
We’re Complicated
• We have drives
– I’m hungry
– I’m sleepy
– I want to have sex
• We have emotions
– I’m angry
– I’m sad
– I’m happy
• We have thoughts
– This tastes bad
– He is handsome
– She is pretty
• We have behaviors
– Sleeping
– Walking
– Sex
Why We’re Complicated
• We have different
genes
– Tongue rolling
– Earlobes
– Eye color
• We have different
environments
– Food
– Parents
– Landscape
– School
– Language
Don’t Oversimplify
• The effects of genes
can be changed
– Hair color
– Number of fingers
– Skin color
• The effects of the
environment can be
permanent
– Number of limbs
– Language
– Women with XY
chromosomes
Who is the victim?
Section 2: Coming Out
Part A- What is “Coming Out”?
Part B- Stages of Coming Out
Part C- Coming Out in PC Senegal
Part D- Peace Corps Voices
Part A: What is “Coming Out”?
• There are two parts to this process: coming out to
oneself and coming out to others.
• Some gays and lesbians come out in "gentle" ways,
admitting they are gay if asked but not volunteering it.
Others do it in "loud" ways, proclaiming their sexuality to
everyone.
• Keep in mind that “outing” and “coming out” are two very
different things.
To Come Out or Not Come Out…
(at home)
• There is no rubric, guideline, or one-size-fits-all
process
• Everyone is an individual, and everyone has
different reasons for the choices they make
• An individual may come out to different people
or groups at different periods of time
Part B: Stages of Coming Out and
Difficulties
Process
• Coming out to oneself
• Coming out to friends and family
• Being completely "out of the closet"
Difficulties Associated with Coming
Out to Oneself
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Feelings of guilt, shame, or denial
Confusion
Fear of what other may think, being rejected
Feelings of isolation or frustration
Confliction with religious views
Difficulties Associated with Coming
Out to Others
• Fear of rejection (if under 18, being sent away from
home)
• Losing loved ones
• How friendships/relationships may change
• Fear of losing a job, being ostracized at work,
church, or in the community
• Possibility of hostility or violence from others
(bullying, harassment)
Importance of Coming Out
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Sense of relief
Higher level of trust and honesty
Feelings of pride
Becoming part of a new community
Ability to fully express oneself
Possibility of finding a significant other, being open
about relationships
Part C: Coming Out in
PC Senegal
Regardless of how open a PCV is
about his or her sexual orientation,
he or she must always be “in the
closet” at site.
How do you think this affects the
productivity and happiness of the
volunteer?
What are some reasons why LGBTQ
volunteers might come out to staff?
What are some reasons why LGBTQ
volunteers might NOT come out to
staff?
Part D: Peace Corps Voices
These are the stories of PCVs who have
experienced adversity both before and during
their respective services.
What were your reactions when you
were listening to these statements?
What were the volunteers' reasons to
come out?
What were the volunteers' reasons
not to come out?
Remember:
• There is no rubric, guideline, or one-sizefits-all process
• Everyone is an individual, and everyone
has different reasons for the choices they
make
• An individual may come out to different
people or groups at different periods of
time
Section 3:
Responding
Part A- Definition of an Ally
Part B - Anti-Gay Behavior and Beliefs
Part C – Expectations
Part D – Role-play
Part A – What is an “Ally”
• Someone who treats LGBTQ people the same as
everyone else, with dignity and respect.
• A “safe person” with whom LGBTQ volunteers can
speak openly.
• An open-minded, supportive, respectful and accepting
person.
• Allies maintain the confidentiality of people who come
to them.
What’s difficult about being
an Ally?
What are the tradeoffs?
What do you gain?
What are some ways to be
supportive of LGBTQ
volunteers while working with
Peace Corps?
10 Ways to Support LGBTQ Volunteers
1. Confront your own prejudices and homophobia, even if it
is uncomfortable to do so.
2. Use all-inclusive language (i.e. “partner” instead of
“boyfriend” or “girlfriend”) until you know one’s preference.
3. Understand that you cannot tell if someone is gay
by looking at him/her.
4. Listen and be open-minded.
5. Respect confidentiality. It is imperative that you can be
trusted. If someone comes out to you, don’t assume
that they have come out to others.
10 Ways to Support LGBTQ Volunteers
6. Be honored if someone comes out to you.
7. Let others know that you find homophobic comments and
jokes offensive.
8. Educate others.
9. Advocate for the trainee/volunteer when he or she is
mistreated because of their LGBTQ identity.
10. Know when and where to seek help.
Part B: Anti-Gay Behaviors
What are some behaviors that might
make an LGBTQ volunteer feel
discriminated against?
What are some behaviors that might
make an LGBTQ volunteer feel
discriminated against?
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Denying that homosexuality exists
Claiming gay people are evil
Saying gay people should be killed for being gay
Saying homosexuality is repulsive
Proposing that a lesbian is a woman who couldn’t
find a man or wants to be a man
• Proposing that a gay man is a man who couldn’t find
a woman or wants to be a woman
• Claiming to be able to spot gay people
• Using derogatory names for gay people
Part C: What is Expected of
Peace Corps Staff
Continuum of Acceptance
• Disparage: Demean, Ridicule, criticize, belittle
• Deny: To refuse to recognize or acknowledge
• Acknowledge: To admit to be real or true;
recognize the existence of
• Affirm: Support, to state or assert positively
Continuum of Acceptance
A female trainee approaches you and tells
you that she often feels uncomfortable and
scared in her homestay. She is a lesbian
and her host brother has often said
homosexuals should be killed. Do you….
• Tell her it’s ok and normal to be stressed out.
• Tell her you understand how difficult this situation is. Maybe talking
to Ulle (PCMO) could be helpful.
• Avoid that person from now on.
• Tell her that you think homosexuality is wrong.
If you are not comfortable with
discussing homosexuality, you
could say:
I’m happy that you confided in me, but I
don’t think I’m the best person to talk with
you about this and you deserve to talk to
someone who really understands. Can I
refer you to ________
(PCMO/Steve/April/Jonno/Clint)?
Part D: Role-Plays
• Review the scenario and the comfort level
of the staff member on your paper.
• Discuss the feelings that staff member
might be feeling and how they would
respond to the situation.
• Put together a brief skit using the scenario
to share with the room.
Section 4 – Conclusion
• It is OK to still be uncomfortable with these
issues.
• What’s important is that we are open to
more understanding, learning, and
acceptance, and will refrain from
homophobic behavior.
• If you do plan on talking with your trainees
about this session…
Questions
• Please consider the presenters to be open
resources for your further questions about
LGBTQ issues after the conclusion of the
presentation.
• Before we adjourn, are there questions
anyone feels comfortable asking in front of
the group?
THANK YOU!!!!!!
Merci
Jerejef
Jaaraamah
If you feel you are an ally, you can be
placed on a Safe Zone Ally List that will
be posted in the Med Huts so people
know you are an ally to LGBTQ people.
Please contact one of the presenters if
you wish to be placed on this list.