February 27, 2009
Discrimination because of gender identity is against the law according to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, and new online training program is making it easier for students and employees to gain awareness of sexual and gender diversity.
Carole Pond, co-ordinator of Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Services (DHPS), says the introduction of online training as part of the Positive Space initiative makes it easy for people to become members of program and increases their awareness of the diversity on campus.
“The Positive Space program made a big difference on campus,” said Pond who helped launch it back in 2005. “This is an important part of the issues sexual and gender minorities may face.”
According to Provost’s Advisory Committee on Sexual and Gender for Diversity, a positive space is an area that “supports sexual and gender diversity, encourages open, respectful communication and eliminates the need for people to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Pond says the online training takes about 45 minutes. Participants are then given a sign to display stating that “this is a positive space.” Pond says about 100 people are displaying the sign so far, but “it would be nice if we had several hundred people.”
Sign up for online training at www.usask.ca/dhps.
Office of Communications, University of Saskatchewan