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RACINE — For lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, having a safe place or person to go to in an often hostile world can provide more than just comfort in a time of need; sometimes it can mean the difference between life and death.

That’s something Jolie McKenna, the executive director of the The LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin, knows all too well.

On Saturday eight teachers, most of them from Racine Unified high schools, spent the afternoon at the center, taking the first step toward becoming a “Safe Zone” for LGBT youth by getting educated on how to “provide support, information and confidentiality” to LGBT students who seek out their help.

Seated in the gathering space of the small center, located at 1456 Junction Ave., the teachers got what McKenna referred to as “LGBT 101.”

Those who take on the role of being a “Safe Zone” aren’t instantly expected to be able to address everything an LGBT student might be coming to them with, McKenna explained. But they should be able to provide support or connections to other resources.