Homes For Students have joined forces with The Safe Space Alliance to launch a diverse, inclusive and accepting environment for members of the LGBTQI+ community in all of our properties.
This collaboration is something that is really important to us across the Homes for Students team as we want everyone within this community to know that they are welcome, safe and valued within all of our student accommodations.
About The Safe Space Alliance
The Safe Space Alliance is a LGBTQI+ led non-profit organisation that aims to help people identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for LGBTQI+ communities worldwide. It was founded by artist and LGBTQI+ activist Shannon Novak in Nelson, New Zealand and has since expanded with over 250 partner organisations worldwide. They are constantly working to expand spaces where LGBTQI+ communities can freely express themselves without fear.
Their vision is: “To live in a world where LGBTQI+ communities can freely express themselves without fear and be free from violence, bullying, and hate speech no matter where they are.”
What Is A Safe Space?
A safe space is a space where LGBTQI+ communities can freely express themselves without fear or judgement. It is a space that does not tolerate violence, bullying, or discrimination of any kind towards members of the LGBTQI+ community. Safe spaces can be classed as physical, mobile, digital spaces, and heritage spaces. If you are keen to find out about safe spaces which are recognised under this alliance, check out their website.
Whilst a safe space cannot 100% guarantee safety, it’s a space that has your back and will support you if any cases of violence, bullying, or hate speech were to occur. Even in countries as progressive as the UK, it’s still so important to provide individuals within the LGBTQI+ community with safe spaces so they can express themselves and be true to who they are.
If you want to find out more about why we need safe spaces, then click here here.
Why Is This Important?
At Homes for Students, we are committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, bullying, harassment or victimisation, where all members of all communities including LGBTQI+ individuals, are treated with respect and dignity.
We believe it is important to ensure that students who identity as LGBTQI+ can feel safe and secure at home within every one of our properties as well as providing a welcoming environment for all. We have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination or harassment of any kind in all our student properties.
Joining up with The Safe Space Alliance allows everyone from LGBTQI+ communities to have a space where they can be fully themselves. All of our properties with HFS are now recognised as safe spaces and we have a ‘Safe Space’ logo on our property pages.
For more information or to get involved with The Safe Space Alliance, take a look at their official website here.