The LGBTQ Safe Zone program has a long and contentious history, but it remains the most comprehensive attempt to make schools safer for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. Using a multi-pronged approach, the program requires cultural competence training and a commitment to LGBTQ-friendly procedures. It certifies community organizations and health care providers for being inclusive and provides free educational materials to help teachers and administrators implement the program.

A "safe zone" is a designated area in a school or public place, often indicated by a sign or sticker. This signifies that the space has been deemed safe for LGBT people. In the 1970s, the term was used to denote a gay bar that was a safe spot for patrons. However, the term was also used to describe routine police raids that threatened patrons of gay bars.

While the "safe zone" concept has been around for a while, it became popular in the 1990s as an initiative to increase awareness of safe spaces for the LGBTQ community. There is evidence that the term was coined in the mid-1960s, when a routine police raid threatened the patrons of a local gay bar.

Since then, the concept has taken LGBTQ SAFE various forms in various communities. Some schools have only one or two components, while others have all three. But there are a few best practices to follow in making schools more LGBTQ-friendly.

First, it's important to understand what a safe zone is. According to the Gay-Straight Alliance, a "safe zone" is a room in a public building or a school that is designed to allow a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ persons. That means it must have non-gendered bathrooms, no locker rooms, and a policy of inclusivity.

Secondly, the safest way to create a safe space is to provide a variety of tools to help children and youth make healthy decisions. For example, HIV prevention and treatment information is important to teens and young adults. They need to know how to reduce their risk of contracting the virus, and to have the right tools to make these decisions.

Third, the safest and most effective way to create a safe space is to create a welcoming environment for the LGBTQ community. For instance, having a LGBTQ liaison officer is a great first step. His or her job is to build relationships and provide resources within the LGBTQ community. He or she can help build partnerships between schools and the larger community, such as the local police department.

Finally, the safest and most effective way of creating a safe space is to have multiple allies. For example, a GSA club or similar organization can help unite the diverse facets of the LGBTQ community. These groups can organize and plan activities, such as fundraisers or dances, around issues that impact the LGBTQ community.

Overall, the National School Climate Survey by the Gay-Straight Alliance (GLSEN) shows that educators are already working to make schools safer for LGBTQ students. Those efforts are primarily centered on anti-bullying programs, anti-discrimination policies and "safe zone" stickers, though many schools have more than one component. Educators need to move beyond the "safe" school and create schools that affirm the needs of the LGBTQ community.