Rules/Guidelines of the group.

These guidelines are in place to promote a safe and enjoyable environment for all members. Some rules may have grey areas, and these will be managed at the discretion of the admins. Any abuse towards admins, while they perform their duties, will not be tolerated, and members may receive warnings or bans as necessary. Most rules apply to both in-person and virtual interactions, with any specific virtual guidelines provided at the end. If you disagree with any of these rules, you are welcome to leave the group at any time. However, you are encouraged to ask for clarification or point out anything that may have been overlooked, as this feedback helps keep the group clear and accessible for everyone.

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1. **RSVPs:** Please RSVP if you plan to attend an event. If you can no longer attend, simply inform a member of the admin team—there’s no need to provide further explanations; just saying "no longer attending" is sufficient. This allows us to update our records and not expect your attendance.

There are no penalties for being unable to attend as long as we receive prior notice. However, if we observe a pattern of uncommunicated no-shows, we may reach out privately to see if we can assist you. Continued non-responses may result in a ban from the group, as it affects the time and resources of the admin team in preparing events.

RSVPing is essential for ensuring we have adequate space at venues for everyone. It also helps us monitor attendance, assess the growth of our group, and identify any significant long-term declines in participation. This information is crucial for deciding whether we need to recruit additional volunteers or hosts, consider larger venues, adjust reservation numbers, or explore potential venues in other popular areas.

2. **Safe Space:** This group is a safe space. You are welcome to arrive and quietly sit with others as you acclimate. You may engage in activities that help you relax, such as using fidget toys, knitting, or drawing. As long as you are not harming anyone, you are encouraged to do what you need to interact with others and enjoy your time. If you need to take a break, feel free to step outside or use the restroom to regain your composure.

3. **Civil Discourse:** All members are expected to be civil and polite when discussing disagreements. If major issues arise, an admin will step in, and this may lead to the removal of individuals who compromise the safety and well-being of others. Any support for racism, transphobia, homophobia, genocide, or similar forms of discrimination will not be tolerated. Violators will face private discussions that may lead to permanent bans.

4. **Respect:** Please respect others' requests to stop discussing certain topics, even if it’s just for a short period. Be kind, patient, and firm regarding your own and others’ boundaries. Avoid judging one another, as everyone is unique and deserves to be themselves in this safe space. Always respect people’s pronouns—if you’re unsure, default to "they/them" until you know their preference, and feel free to ask politely.

5. **Warnings and Bans:** A single private warning may be issued for certain issues, such as inappropriate behaviour or serious rule violations. If you are warned multiple times, based on the severity of the issue, you will face a ban. If you have been warned and fail to show progress, bans will be enacted based on specific circumstances, which may allow for reflection or could be permanent.

6. **Social Networking:** This group is intended for individuals to find friends and socialize safely within the queer, neurodiverse, and alternative communities. We are here to support one another, but we are not a professional support group. We may share personal experiences or provide referrals to other groups that offer professional support. If you require serious professional help, there are resources available, such as crisis hotlines and medical professionals. No one is responsible for another member's well-being if it risks their own mental, physical, or emotional health.

7. **Dating and Relationships:** Using this group as a venue for dating or seeking sexual encounters is not allowed. While it is fine if connections happen naturally, please join this group primarily to socialize in a safe environment and build friendships with both new and familiar members. Remember, not everyone will connect with you, and that is completely okay; we all have different tastes and interests.

8. **Contact Information:** Do not share members' or admins' contact information without their permission. You may exchange contact information at events if you feel a connection and wish to continue building that relationship outside the group setting.

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WhatsApp/Discord-Specific Rules:

1. To join the WhatsApp or Discord group, please attend events first. If you would like to be added, you can ask the event host. Joining these groups is optional; they are just ways to keep in touch and stay informed about events, particularly during our summer picnics for example we may need to share our location for people to find us on the day.

2. Before sending a private message to someone in the Discord or WhatsApp group, please ask for their permission.

3. When sharing links, files, or photos in the WhatsApp group, please include a brief description of the content, such as explaining why you like it.