FA26 - VirTual Safe Zone 101 12pm Wednesdays

Term: Fall 2026

Date: October 19th to November 20th, 2026

Time: Wednesdays 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Location: Online Only

Instructor: Haleigh Wallace

Presented By: Virginia Tech Pride Center

Description:

This course is the first installment in the VirTual Safe Zone series. It offers an introduction to LGBTQ+ identities and issues, which serves as the foundation for VirTual Trans Safe Zone and the VirTual Safe Zone electives. This course covers topics like: the importance of language and inclusive language practices, intersectionality and gender/sexuality, coming out, cisheterosexual privilege, and what it means to be an ally.


This course runs for five weeks and includes a combination of weekly readings and videos, discussion board posts, and a live Zoom session. Course materials are thoughtfully sequenced to encourage learners to develop foundational competencies when discussing identity, sexual orientation, gender, and gender expression before introducing more complex and nuanced topics. The discussion boards build on these materials by providing an important space for contemplation, reflection, and sharing of personal experiences. Finally, the weekly Zoom sessions offer the opportunity to bring everything together in community.

In order to receive credit for completing a VirTual Safe Zone course, participants must attend at least four of the five Zoom sessions and contribute one discussion board post and two comments each week.