Safe Zone

A Safe Zone is a place where students can talk to an adult in a non-judgmental environment, receive support, and get connected to the resources they need to succeed.

Purpose

A Safe Zone is a place where students can talk to an adult in a non-judgmental environment, receive support, and get connected to the resources they need to succeed. The Albuquerque Public Schools Safe Zone program was designed to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ+) students and their allies but is available to all students in APS.

LGBTQ+ students face many barriers that can prevent them from feeling safe within their school environment including verbal and physical harassment and bullying. These students are at increased risk of homelessness and self-destructive behaviors which often result in attendance issues and higher drop-out rates.

Safe Zones operate at all levels across the district. Safe Zone Liaisons identify their office or classroom by hanging a Safe Zone sign or wearing a Safe Zone lanyard. Safe Zone Coordinators may be identified virtually by the use of the Safe Zone Flag emblem in their Google classroom or electronic communications.

Safe Zone Liaisons attend 1-2 district meetings per year for professional development, resource sharing, and networking. Safe Zone Liaisons and other school staff may also choose to sponsor Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSA) clubs, support groups or lunch groups to create safe spaces for students.

Staff interested in becoming a Safe Zone Liaison, should read more about Equity Professional Development opportunities on the Equity Quarterly Intranet Site.

• Trevor Project's Being an Ally to Transgender & Non-Binary Youth
• PFLAG's Guide to Being an Ally to LGBTQ+ People

Student Observations

Elementary

• "[A Safe Zone is a place to] talk to someone you trust and explain how you are feeling. A place where there is no bullying."

Middle

• "A Safe Zone is a space for LGBTQ+ members to feel safe and welcome in their environment."
• "You feel free to talk and let out things that you usually won't let out, maybe to a group of people or one on one."
• "A place where you are surrounded by people you trust / care about."
• "I like the Safe Zone because it lets people express themselves."

High

• "An APS Safe Zone is a place where all students, regardless of gender or sexuality, can go for trained, non-judgmental teachers or staff support and resources at their school, whether they are in Elementary, Middle, or High School."
• "No matter who you are, how alone you feel, and how much of an outcast you feel, there's always someone there for you. Someone who is supportive."