Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav
  1. Forum
  2. Safety & Knowledge at 7 Cups
  3. Staying Safe as a LGBTQ+ Member

Staying Safe as a LGBTQ+ Member

User Profile: carrotgoosoup
carrotgoosoup Tuesday

Happy October! We’re back again for another Safety Discussion and this time our topic is Staying Safe as a LGBTQ+ member 🌈

❓❓❓Why talk about being safe as a LGBTQ+ member❓❓❓

Inclusivity is important! 

Inclusivity is about making and continuing to work towards having an environment where all people feel respected and valued. It looks like understanding people's diverse identities and needs, reducing barriers so people can access and engage easier, and promoting acceptance and equity for everyone 🥰


And here at 7 Cups we work towards having everyone included and welcomed :) It's not a perfect system (as no one space is), so continued discussions and working on making systems better is key! 🔑


🌞Safety for our marginalized community members is important!
Marginalized people are those in society who may be treated as less important and have less say. LGBTQ+ members fall under this umbrella because of ongoing stigma about identities, lack of education and understanding, and ideologies that people need to exist in one particular way. 

What does being a LGBTQ+ community member mean?
LGBTQ+ (or other terms are: Queer or LGBTQIA+) stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer. The plus symbol indicates more gender orientations and sexual orientations not listed. LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term for those who do not identify solely as straight or cisgender.

What are general considerations to stay safe as an LGBTQ+ individual?
  • 🍂Be mindful of your environment. Look for signs of greater safety (e.g. pride progress flag visibility or posted inclusive messages) or danger. 

  • 🌈Remember that your queer visibility is your choice. It is up to you if you want to be out, what you want to share with others, and how you want to present, so that you are safe.

  • 🌎Be informed of current events. Knowing what is going on in your community or current events (from credible sources), can inform your choices and if you need to make adjustments for safety sake.

  • 😎Protect your privacy. Follow safe online practices such as: being aware of what information you share about yourself (e.g. address, workplace, school name), avoiding clicking on suspicious links, and having strong passwords for your accounts.

What are steps I can take if I feel unsafe as a LGBTQ+ member?
We want everyone to feel safe on 7 Cups! If you are feeling unsafe, please do take steps to make sure you are protected. You saying something not only helps yourself but others in 7 Cups too 😁

If you are in a 1-on-1 chat, you have the option to block someone. Doing this will remove them from your chat list and will prevent either of you from contacting each other. 

Additionally, you can report a member or listener through the helpdesk. If you have screenshots, please provide them to best help admin review the situation (note: if you block someone, do so after you report them, otherwise the chat will disappear and inaccessible).

As an ally, how can I do my part to keep 7 Cups inclusive and safe for LGBTQ+ members?
  • 👀Challenge your (unconscious or conscious) biases. Whether we are doing it intentionally or not, we may have absorbed beliefs that hurt LGBTQ+ people. This means to keep being aware of your beliefs; keep learning about LGBTQ+ experiences!

  • 👂Listen and believe LGBTQ+ voices. Be curious, understanding, and caring to LGBTQ+ people. Everyone is an expert in their own lives so if you come across something you don't understand, you can learn more about it rather than questioning its validity.

  • 🤭Keep the identity of your LGBTQ+ friends confidential. Some people are not out for a variety of reasons and it's important to let them share their identity and parts of themselves on their own.

  • 🤗Encourage inclusivity in chatrooms! Be a model of safety and openness to our LGBTQ+ members. 

Want to learn more? Check out these helpful links below 🙂

  1. 7 Cups LGBTQ+ subcommunity
    https://www.7cups.com/forum/lgbtq/

  2. Ally Resources
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pBfz3KVEbpGGF6bDtFuCghiq9fZKwIahA6ArI3-Ous8/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Questions to consider 🧐
  1. If I am an LGBTQ+ member, what signs show that I feel uncomfortable or unsafe? What are some steps I can take? 🌟
  2. What are some ways I can support LGBTQ+ members here on 7 Cups? 🥰
2
User Profile: Aayla
Aayla Tuesday

@carrotgoosoupIf 

My input for question 2:

You should never force your beliefs on someone, nor assume that you know more about something than the people who actually live that reality.

If you have any questions about being queer, you should approach people respectfully. Always keep in mind that whatever sounds like an innocent question to you may strike deep chords in people that have been subjected to constant questioning throughout their life.

You should uplift queer voices, learn more about queer identity, understand how certain policies affect them, and be open to keep questioning the things you've always assumed.

User Profile: carrotgoosoup
carrotgoosoup OP Tuesday

@Aayla

Thank you so much for adding these thoughts! Yes, it is so important to be aware of our questions (even the innocent ones can be hurtful) and respect queer voice 🫶 

load more
*Support Forum Disclaimer
Community updates
My communities
Community guidelines
Report an issue
Considering Therapy?
Talk to an expert therapist