Mission             

To increase the safety and comfort level for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (GLBTQ) students, staff, and  faculty at the University of Houston by training allies to be able to respond knowledgably and sensitively to expressed needs.  CAT is an interdepartmental collaboration offered through the Human Resource’s diversity and sensitivity training programs.

Goals              

• Increase the diversity training of students, staff, and faculty on the University of Houston campus by providing two trainings a semester on GLBTQ issues

• To provide factual information and dispel myths about GLBTQ individuals

• Reduce homophobia and heterosexism on campus

• To provide a safe and open environment to talk about issues of sexual orientation

• Train safe and knowledgeable people to act as allies who are willing to provide support and information for GLBTQ staff, faculty, and students

Next Training Dates

Tuesday, November 10, from 12:15pm until 4pm, in room 306 in M.D. Anderson Library.

Registration for the trainings will be offered through Human Resources and campus-wide announcements will be sent out when it is time to register with the link to register.

History           

Many colleges and universities in the United States have programs on their campuses called by different names, but often “safe zone” or “safe space.” The earliest known program was at Ball State University started in 1992 and after the death of Matthew Shepard in 1998, the number increased dramatically.  Hundreds of such programs are found on college campuses across the nation. Safe Zones provide highly visible and easily identifiable spaces where support and understanding are key and discrimination and bigotry are not tolerated.   Safe Zones are commonly identified as “ally” programs where members of the GLBTQ communities receive support and understanding.  Student affairs professionals, administrators, and faculty have begun to recognize the potential the development of heterosexual allies has for making the culture of a college or university campus more tolerant towards gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) students.

An Ally is         

Open-minded, a listener who is familiar with GLBTQ issues, willing to be a safe person to talk to while recognizing his or her own limitations and able to refer people as necessary.  Click here for more information on the qualities of an ally. 

An Ally is not

An expert or counselor

University of Houston Cougar Allies

Please click here for a list of people who have taken the training and are willing to be publicly identified as Cougar Allies.

Collaborating Departments                                              Representatives* 

UH Staff,  College of Technology                                      Carlo Deason,                 

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)          Chris Scott  

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)         A. Chantelle Pseekos

Human Resources                                                             Cody Pelletier                                                             

UH Wellness                                                                        Lorraine Schroeder           

Graduate Student Representative                                    Stacey "Colt" Meier

Women’s Resource Center                                               Beverly McPhail                                                        

Feel free to contact any of these people for more information about the training.

*Thanks to CAPS 2008-09 multi-cultural fellow, Dr. Angela Hartman, who was a co-founder of the CAT training and during her year-long tenure at the University of Houston greatly advanced this program and facilitated the first training.

Plan:                                  

• Students, faculty, and staff volunteer to take the Cougar Ally Training
• The collaborating group will provide the training
• The training will last approximately three hours
• Upon successful completion of the training, a placard will be issued that the individual can display at their office or dorm room to note they are trained and are a recognized Cougar Ally, that is, someone supportive, trustworthy, and sensitive to the needs and concerns of LGBTQ individuals at the University of Houston.

Training Outline: 

1. Welcome and introductions (10 minutes)
2. Discussion Circle – identifying assumptions and stereotypes (20 minutes)
3. Jeopardy game – giving concrete facts about GLBTQ issues  (20 minutes)
4. Consciousness raising exercise – what life is like for GLBTQ individuals (20 minutes)
5. Break (10 minutes)
6. Panel of GLBTQ individuals and their family members to share their stories and answer questions (60 minutes)
7. How to be an ally discussion (15 minutes)
8. Process reactions to secret exercise and training, any feedback or questions (10 minutes)
9. Sign up to be an ally and evaluations (5 minutes)

What People are Saying about the Training:

"Very interactive"

"I liked the visualization exercise, activities, and panel. Bascially, I loved everything!"

"Everyone was friendly and willing to share their knowledge."

"This class should be offered to more people on campus."

"Great job!"

"A very useful training, keep it up1"

Resource Information 

For support, education, and other services, click here for more information on resources available on campus, off campus, and on the internet.

For a list of helpful statistics click here, for the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) Fact Sheet on LGBTQ Youth Issues.

For a list of helpful movies and documentaries, click here.

For a list of helpful reading, click here.