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What is a safe space
A safe space is a space where LGBTQI+ communities can freely express themselves without fear. It is a space that does not tolerate violence, bullying, or hate speech towards LGBTQI+ communities.
A safe space does not guarantee 100% safety, rather, it’s a space that has your back if an incident (violence, bullying, or hate speech) were to occur.
What are the requirements for being a safe space?
The only requirement is upholding our definition of a safe space: “A safe space is a space where LGBTQI+ communities can freely express themselves without fear. It is a space that does not tolerate violence, bullying, or hate speech towards LGBTQI+ communities''.
As this aligns with Basestation’s mission and Mana Enhancing Understanding, it felt right to sign up.
According to the Safe Space Alliance, does Basestation have to guarantee safety?
No. It is unlikely any space can guarantee 100% safety, particularly where there are external forces outside our control. Being a safe space is more about a space “having your back” if an incident (violence, bullying, or hate speech) were to happen.
Why do we need safe spaces?
We don’t ask our residents or customers to disclose their sexuality (it will be inappropriate and illegal). According to Stats.govt.nz 2021 Household Economic Survey, 4.4% of Aotearoa’s adult population identified as LGBT+. This number is also likely to be reflected in our customer base.
Creating a safe space for our LGBTQ+ community benefits all of us. At Basestation, our mission is to:
Provide a space to help build communities and relationships to support professional collaboration and personal growth.
This means we seek to create an inclusive space for everyone, ensuring everyone is able to be their authentic selves and thrive. Part of this also ensures we show respect to one another - something which is talked about in our Mana Enhancing Understanding.
Creating a safe space also seems very timely with the recent local events the other month in Gisbourne and Auckland, as well as the arson attack on Tauranga's own Rainbow Youth and Gender Dynamix Building back in 2022.
In a 2022 article by Newsroom, it talks of an “ an uptick in anti-LGBT hatred in New Zealand, driven by American politics.”
In the 2022 survey by Stats NZ survey (as mentioned above), it revealed members of the rainbow community are more than two times more likely to experience daily feelings of anxiety and depression than people not in the LGBTQIA+ population. Therefore having organisations like the Safe Space Alliance are paramount in supporting communities like this.
Call to action:
We’d highly recommend that you check out the links below to help further educate yourself and seek ways to support the LGBTQ+ community in Aotearoa. Also, if you are a workplace - look at joining the Safe Space Alliance yourself. There are other organisations which might be of interest:
- Inside Out - A national charity that works to make Aotearoa safer for all rainbow young people. They provide resources, workshops, consulting, advocacy and support for anything concerning rainbow (LGBTQIA+) communities.
- Te ngākau Kahukura - Have a vision for rainbow people to grow up feeling safe, valued and that they belong in the places where they live, learn and access healthcare and social support.
Also, check out: