Safe Space Guidelines and Resources

Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in who they are.

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Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in who they are.​

Our platform is a Safe Space for anyone aged 15 years or older that is a self-identifying gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, queer or questioning and non-binary persons wishing to access a safe online space. This is inclusive of trans women/men, non-binary and gender-fluid people, people of color, older persons and disabled persons, straight allies and supporters of the LGBTQ community to come together and celebrate.

In order to enable this, there are a few ground rules to ensure that everyone feels as welcome and comfortable as possible at all times.

If you feel unsafe at any point, or witness any problematic behavior, please let a group administrator know.  This is a living document and as such the guidelines can and will be modified as needed to maintain the safety of our members.

IP Address Tracking
As part of our commitment to you, our servers track all IP addresses connecting to our platform and the accounts they are associated with.  This information only provided to Law Enforcement in cases of emergency or legal issues arising from actions taken from your account. 

Age limit
Participants must be 15 years old or older. (All platform rules will be enforced in addition to Safe Space Guidelines)

Introduce yourself
If you are uncomfortable, give a limited introduction of yourself such as first name only, use an avatar that does not show your face.

Video Chats 
If you are uncomfortable with having your face on screen you can turn video function off, or put it on to introduce yourself and then switch off.

Pronouns
A pronoun is how you refer to someone, for example using she or they. Please ask people what their pronouns are if you are meeting them for the first time. Use their correct pronouns, even if the words are unfamiliar to you. If you make a mistake and refer to someone with the wrong pronoun, apologize and move on.

Assumptions
Don’t make assumptions about someone’s identity and think about the ways that people from minority groups may be impacted in different ways by the issues you discuss. Be aware that your experiences as a gay, lesbian, bi, trans, queer or non-binary person are not necessarily the same as everybody else in the group/platform. Be aware of any position and privileges you may bring regarding for example your race, your class, your gender identity, your ability or your age. Try not to make generalizing statements such as ‘All gay men hate women’.

Oppressive Behavior
Racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, ageism or discrimination on basis of ethnicity, immigration status, or religious, cultural, and/or spiritual beliefs, or any other kind of oppressive behavior is unacceptable and will be challenged. Please do not use slurs that are not yours to use: e.g if you are white do not use racial slurs, even if you are being critical of them. Please give a choice for people to interact without having to talk if they don’t want to, If they are neurodivergent, do not tell people off if they want to talk  about a subject, give space to people to go at their own pace.

Sexual Harassment
There is a zero tolerance policy to sexual harassment. This means no pornography
and/or nudity of any kind, including but not limited to, adult
pornography, Anime, child pornography, “adult content” and/or the
written word of a sexual nature.
This also means no inappropriate sexual comments or sexually based jokes, songs or taunts. (Platform wide rules apply as well.)

Accessible Language
Try to use clear, uncomplicated language and to avoid any acronyms and in-jokes. If you mention a theory or person, please give a brief description of who they are, no matter how well known you believe they are.

Content Warnings
Give people a heads up if you are going to discuss something that others might find upsetting. Sometimes upsetting things happen and we need to be able talk about how we deal with them as a community. It’s important to have a space where we feel able to do this, and we hope that this event will provide that. However, not everyone is able to talk about everything all the time, so let people know if you are going to talk about something potentially upsetting, such as mental illness or domestic abuse.  You can also do this informally by asking ‘is it okay if I talk about X thing?’  Be sure to wait for a couple of responses before posting about your topic of discussion.

Space to Speak
Please be aware that it is difficult for those belonging to marginalized groups or minority groups to participate in discussions online. Do not hijack the conversations even if it is appropriate for you to speak on certain topics. Try to give less confident and quieter people a chance to speak.

Privacy and Confidentiality
We will ask everybody to respect the fact that not everybody is “out” everywhere outside of our platform so if you use other social media platforms, please do not share any contact information or identifiable information of other people without their explicit consent.

Social Media
Everything in our safe space guidelines also extends to social our media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and SNAPchat, so keep that in mind when using social media.

State And Local Resources

  • Basic Rights Oregon – 503-222-6151
    Has various resources on LGBTQ+ legal rights, advocacy training, and advocates who assist with reporting discrimination.
  • Basic Rights Oregon, Fierce Family Members Group
    For family of transgender youth
  • Brave Space, LLC
    Private practice support groups and counseling for transgender and non-binary children, youth, adults & families (fairly costly)
  • Bridging Voices
    Portland queer youth choir
  • Cascade AIDS Project – 503-223-5907
    Cascade AIDS Project(CAP) is the oldest and largest provider of HIV services in the Pacific Northwest. CAP provides services around health, prevention, testing, housing, and employment for individuals affected by HIV. CAP also provides Peer Support for HIV+ individuals who also require mental health services or linkage to care.
  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Portland LGBTQ – 503-679-2999
    A drop-in peer led support group for LGBTQ persons living with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, anxiety, PTSD or related illnesses.
  • Janus Youth, Rivera House
    independent living for LGBTQIA+ youth reentering community under jurisdiction of Oregon Youth Authority
  • NAMI Clackamas – 503-344-5050
    LGBTQ peer support services in Clackamas and Multnomah Counties, including one-on-one peer support.
  • Northwest Gender Alliance – 503-533-8787
    A nonprofit social, support and educational group for trans individuals.
  • Outside In – 503-535-3828
    A coalition of medical and naturopathic doctors and interns, acupuncturists, and Chinese herbalists who provide multidisciplinary primary care to homeless youth and low-income individuals lacking health insurance in Portland. Specific trans nights offered.
  • Parachute Media
    Through their social media, newsletter and user-generated content, they provide a unique lens that empowers, represents, and informs their audience, while emphasizing self-care.
  • PFLAG Oregon chapters
    Informational resources and online support groups for LGBTQ+ individuals
  • Prism Health
    Compassionate healthcare for the LGBTQIA+ community. Services are offered in English and Spanish.
  • The Q Center – 503-234-7837
    A LGBTQ community center in Portland with a variety of support and affinity groups and events.
  • Quest Center for Integrative Health – 503-238-5203
    Community mental health agency and alcohol and drug treatment services provider where half of staff and clinicians identify as LGBTQ.  Accepts Oregon Health Plan.
  • SAGE Metro Portland – 503-224-2640
    SAGE Metro Portland (formerly Gay and Grey) is a program of Friendly House, Inc. that “works to enhance the lives of older gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community members through education, advocacy, outreach and resource development.” SAGE offers social programs, diversity training, and housing resources for LGBT elders.
  • TransActive Gender Project – 503-768-6024
    Portland organization providing a holistic range of services and expertise to empower transgender and gender nonconforming children, youth and families. Offers youth & family support groups, professional development, advocacy, and resource referral services.
  • University of North Dakota Resources for the Aging LGBTQ+ Community 
    Healthcare, financial planning, and long-term care resources.

LGBTQ+ Youth Specific Resources

  • Unity House (through New Avenues)
    Housing for houseless LGBTQ+ youth. Includes resources such as assistance with rental-search efforts, subsidizing housing costs, education, counseling, job training, and employment. Unity House II opened 2017.
  • The Living Room – 503-901-5971
    A safe haven for GLBTQQ youth (ages 14-20) in Clackamas County, with drop-in in Oregon City as well as other programs.
  • Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition (OSSCC)
    OSSCC works to support youth in feeling safe and welcome in schools and communities. Emphasis on reducing youth suicide and risk behaviors for GSM youth
  • Outside In – 503-535-3828
    A coalition of medical and naturopathic doctors and interns, acupuncturists, and Chinese herbalists who provide multidisciplinary primary care to homeless youth and low-income individuals lacking health insurance in Portland. Specific trans nights offered.
  • p:ear – 503-228-6677
    Portland organization building positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through Education, Art and Recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthy lives.
  • P.O.P. Rocks – 503-356-6835
    Pulse on Pride (P.O.P) Rocks is a support group run by NAMI Washington County for 16 – 24 year olds who identify as LGBTQ and Allies. Meets at the NAMI Washington County office in Aloha.
  • Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) – 503-872-9664
    A drop-in center for LGBTQ youth (ages 14-24) in both downtown Portland (1220 SW Columbia Ave) and SE Portland (16570 SE Oak St., Room 107).Facebook
  • Triple Point Vancouver
    Free drop-in Vancouver-based gender and sexual minority youth group (ages 11 – 17)
  • Queer Youth Summit
    Conference by and for queer and trans youth

National Resources

Hood River County Resources:

 

Websites

If you want to dig in a little deeper, we’ve got you covered. In alphabetical order…

  • Asexual Visibility and Education Network — www.asexuality.org — “The world’s largest online asexual community as well as a large archive of resources on asexuality.”
  • Answerhttp://answer.rutgers.edu/page/training —  A sex education resource aimed at providing high-quality training to teachers and other youth-serving professionals.  Includes online workshops, webinars, and other resources about LGBTQ inclusive/sensitive sex ed and more.
  • Bitch Magazine www.bitchmagazine.org — “Provide and encourage an engaged, thoughtful feminist response to mainstream media and popular culture.”
  • Bisexual.orgwww.bisexual.org — “A voice to the bisexual community, share accurate information, answer questions, and provide resources for further learning.”
  • Everyday Feminism — www.everydayfeminism.com — “Learn how to heal from and stand up to everyday violence, discrimination, and marginalization,” with plenty of articles about classgenderLGBTQIA issues, and race.
  • Get Realwww.getrealeducation.org — “Comprehensive Sex Education That Works.”
  • It’s Pronounced Metrosexual — www.itspronouncedmetrosexual.com — an online resource educating on issues of identity, sexuality, gender, privilege, and oppression, but in a fun, approachable way (by Safe Zone Project co-creator, Sam Killermann).
  • Salacious — www.salaciousmagazine.com — “A Queer Feminist Sex Magazine”
  • Soul Forcehttp://soulforce.org/ – Family that travels and does speaking events, have a ton of materials on their site, and do an “equality ride” (super cool), all from a Christian perspective
  • TransWhat? — www.transwhat.org — “A Guide Towards [Trans] Allyship”
  • We Are The Youth — www.wearetheyouth.org — “Sharing stories of LGBTQ youth in the United States.”

Read

Blogs, articles, books, and more — a huge list of written words you could spend a good chunk of the rest of your life reading.

Articles & Blog Posts

Watch

Videos that are helpful, insightful, educational, and otherwise noteworthy.

Organizations

Consider these organizations and projects, we strongly encourage you give them your support — whether that’s in time, donations, or just spreading awareness.

  • GLAAD www.glaad.org — Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “GLAAD works with print, broadcast and online news sources to bring people powerful stories from the LGBT community that build support for equality.”
  • GLSEN www.glsen.org — Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. “Every day GLSEN works to ensure that LGBT students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.”
  • Forge — http://forge-forward.org/ is a progressive organization whose mission is to support, educate and advocate for the rights and lives of transgender individuals and SOFFAs (Significant Others, Friends, Family, and Allies).  They have recorded webinars on many different issues related to trans* individuals and SOFFAs.
  • It Gets Better Project — www.itgetsbetter.org — “The It Gets Better Project’s mission is to communicate to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world that it gets better, and to create and inspire the changes needed to make it better for them.”
  • National Gay and Lesbian Task Force — http://www.thetaskforce.org/“The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community from the ground up.” They also run Creating Change the “largest annual gathering of LGBTQ activists, organizers, and leaders within the LGBT movement” in the US.
  • National Center for Transgender Equalityhttps://transequality.org/ — “The nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization winning life-saving change for transgender people.”
  • The “Not All Like That” (NALT) Projecthttp://notalllikethat.org – videos of (awesome) Christians (mostly families) explaining how they fully support LGBTQ people and that being Christian shouldn’t mean being anti-gay.
  • Religious Institute http://www.religiousinstitute.org — “A multifaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education, and justice in faith communities and society.”
  • PFLAG www.pflag.org — “Parents, Families, Friends, and Allies United with LGBT People to Move Equality Forward.”
  • Transgender Law Center — https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ — “The largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation.”
  • The Trevor Project — www.thetrevorproject.org — “Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth.”

Handouts

Bite-sized learning that fits on an 8.5 by 11 inch canvas, and can do some good hanging on a bulletin board or in someone’s hand.

Facilitate

A collection of resources for the people in the front of the room during Safe Zone, LGBTQ+, and other gender/sexuality trainings.

Make A Donation
Global Social Gathering is a privately held and run platform providing a clean and diverse social platform for all walks of life. Rather than charge a monthly or annual subscription fee to help cover the cost of operations we rely on donations from our members to assist us in offsetting the cost of providing the service.