Support and Social Groups Online support and social groups Online Group Agreement Creating a safer space | Participation & Engagement | Confidentiality & Privacy | Safety & Support | How we facilitate | Zoom etiquette | Our guiding principles | Top Tips Creating a safer space Use the same first name as on your Eventbrite ticket so facilitators can verify attendees and help keep the group safe. Be prepared to briefly use your camera, audio, or chat when joining so your identity can be confirmed, unless otherwise agreed. Respect everyone’s names, pronouns, identities, and boundaries; if you make a mistake, apologise, correct yourself, and move on. Don’t ask intrusive personal questions about someone’s gender, sexuality, or lived experience. Discrimination, harassment, hateful language, or prejudice of any kind will be challenged and may result in removal and banning from all LGBT HERO groups. Participation and engagement You can participate by speaking, listening, or using the chat. Feel free to take a break or leave the session at any time. If anything feels upsetting, you can message a facilitator during or after the session. This is a supportive listening space, so please avoid giving advice. Hosts may share helpful services or information and will monitor chat questions during and after the session. Confidentiality and privacy Don’t share the Zoom link with anyone else. Screenshots, recordings, and photos are not allowed. Respect everyone’s privacy and confidentiality. What is shared in the group stays within the group. Don’t share other people’s names or personal experiences outside the session. Safety and support This is a peer support space, not group therapy, though it may feel supportive. Speak from your own experience and avoid giving advice to others. Respect all cultures, identities, and lived experiences. Give a trigger warning before discussing potentially upsetting topics. Take breaks if needed and avoid sharing identifiable personal information. How we facilitate Our facilitators help keep the space safe, inclusive, and respectful by guiding conversations and ensuring everyone can participate in a way that feels comfortable for them. Zoom etiquette Please have your camera on at the start of the session unless agreed otherwise in advance. If you need to turn your camera off during the session, please send a direct message to let the facilitators know. Keep your microphone muted when not speaking to reduce background noise. Raise your hand (physically or digitally) if you would like to speak. Let facilitators know about any accessibility needs in advance and ensure respectful, appropriate presentation during the session. Our guiding principles Our groups are person-centred, valuing each person’s lived experience and knowledge. We affirm and support BIPOC people and their allies and are committed to anti-racism and decolonisation. We affirm and support all genders, including transgender, gender-expansive, and intersex people. We affirm and support the LGBTQ+ community and diverse identities and relationships. Our groups aim to provide a safe, inclusive online space, with topics shared in advance to help people prepare. Top Tips Share the space by being mindful of how much you speak so everyone has a chance to contribute. Assume good intentions, stay curious, and raise concerns respectfully if something feels harmful or problematic. Be mindful of lived experiences and use trigger warnings when discussing potentially distressing topics. Respect and affirm diverse identities and relationships and actively challenge discrimination or harm when it occurs. Listen with curiosity and practice mutual accountability, gently naming and redirecting harmful behaviour in line with shared group values. Thanks for being part of the community. Together, we can create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and safe 💖 Manage Cookie Preferences