About the Conference

The needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) college students are hot topics of discussion on campuses across the United States. University practices are constantly reexamined to accommodate this important sector of the student body. Tufts University is a forerunner in the field of LGBT issues to insure that students continue to feel safe and accepted.

The Safe Colleges conference was first hosted and organized by the Tufts University LGBT Center in 1998. With 100 participants then growing to over 300 last year, the Safe Colleges conference attracts not only students from Massachusetts and the rest of New England, but also local, state, and national leaders. Participants described the 2001 event as “well-organized, publicized, and attended,” “incredibly thought-provoking and inspiring,” and “emancipatory.” 

This year, on March 30, 2002, more than 300 college students and administrators from across New England will gather on the Tufts University campus for the Safe Colleges 2002 conference. Throughout the course of this one-day event, participants will engage in dialogue with significant LGBT figures. These experts will guide and encourage students to reflect on issues of individual and societal concern, to think critically, and to meet and exchange ideas with each other.

In addition to the successful workshops from last year, some topics to be addressed include:

n          Male and female body image
n          Homosexuality and religions
n          Transgender issues
n          Improving your LGBT student organization
n          Dating in the LGBT community 

Although many of the issues to be presented are already of national interest, this conference is unique in promoting discussion between experts, students, and administrators alike. Safe Colleges 2002 will also ignite or rekindle the dialogue on topics that have not yet received the level of attention they deserve in both the mainstream and gay communities.