Safe space
The term safe space refers to places "intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations".[2] The term originated in LGBT culture,[3] but has since expanded to include any place where a marginalized minority (e.g. gender, ethnic, religious) can come together to communicate regarding their shared experiences. Safe spaces are most commonly located on university campuses in the western world,[4] but also are at workplaces, as in the case of Nokia.[5]
For the youth crisis support organization, see National Safe Place. For safe spaces for intravenous drug users, see Supervised injection facilities. For the South Park episode, see Safe Space (South Park).The terms safe space (or safe-space), safer space, and positive space may also indicate that a teacher, educational institution or student body does not tolerate violence, harassment, or hate speech, thereby creating a safe place for marginalized people.[6]
Countries[edit]
Australia[edit]
The Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) which claims to represent 200,000 Muslims in Victoria stated that the Muslim community suffered mental health and other problems due to the suspicions to which it is subjected. The ICV proposed that Islamic community groups be given funds to create "safe spaces" where "inflammatory" issues could be discussed without being judged.[7] The government rejected the proposal and instigated a review of government funding towards the ICV.[7][8]
Canada[edit]
The Positive Space campaign was developed at the University of Toronto in 1995.[9] Positive Space initiatives have become prevalent in post-secondary institutions across Canada, including the University of Western Ontario,[10] McGill University,[11] the University of Toronto,[12] Algonquin College,[13] the University of British Columbia,[14] and Queen's University.[15] The Government of Canada also has a positive spaces initiative that began in 2009 to support LGBTQIA+ immigrants, refugees, and newcomers.[16]
In 2021, Justice Minister David Lametti sought to legislate the internet to be a safe space by introducing Bill C-36, which would remove hateful online content and issue fines to those who spread it, stating that the internet has become the new public square and "that public square should be a safe space".[17]
In 2023, the Ontario New Democratic Party proposed legally enforced safe spaces in Ontario, with Bill 94 (2SLGBTQI+ Community Safety Zones Act). The legislation would make "offensive remarks" an offense subject to a fine up to $25,000 if done within 100 metres of an LGBT event designated by an attorney general.[18][19][20]
In popular culture[edit]
"Safespace" is also the name of a proposed hero from Marvel Comics, who assists the New Warriors in their most recent incarnation alongside their sibling, "Snowflake", both non-binary. Snowflake possesses ice-based abilities similar to those of Iceman of the X-Men, while Safespace possesses the ability to generate reactive, defensive force fields that can only protect others.[53] While criticized by some as a mocking reference to the term's slang use, the idea is still going forward.[54]