“A safe space is a place where anyone can relax and be fully self-expressed, without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome or challenged on account of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, age, or physical or mental ability and where the rules guard each person’s self-respect, dignity and feelings and strongly encourage everyone to respect others.”
–Advocates for Youth
Savannah Skyler and Jerilyn Hassell Pool teamed up to create a graphic to allow teachers a way to signal a commitment to learning and understanding of issues faced by sexual, gender, or racial minorities and a willingness to create and maintain safe space to help those who struggle.
• Based on “Ring Theory” by Dr. Susan Silk
• Promotes helpful and healthy patterns of support for the most vulnerable: “comfort in; dump out”
• Illustrates encompassing support for Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and trans communities
• Emphasizes importance of the larger LGBTQ+ community as a resource while recognizing their need for safety, too
