Confidentiality
What is said in the group stays in the group, except as shared with Q Christian Staff members for purposes of managing the groups and ensuring that these guidelines are followed. The identities and personal information of participants are not to be shared publicly or privately, in person or electronically, with anyone outside of the group other than Q Christian staff members. The safety of those who may not be publicly out of the closet is our utmost priority. Participants are not required to reveal their real name or use their video chat function if they do not feel comfortable doing so. Leaders or participants who compromise the identity of other participants may be asked to leave the Community Group.
Safety
If someone in the group is experiencing suicidal ideation or thoughts of self harm, leaders are required to immediately direct them to Crisis Resources and notify a Q Christian staff member. Q Christian will attempt to help direct the individual to available resources and/or mental health professionals in their area.
Safe Community Guidelines
Q Christian Fellowship (QCF) cultivates spaces where people can experience the freedom to be their authentic self, to pursue spiritual connection with others, and to grow in an environment that celebrates differences and diversity. We acknowledge that the cultivation of safety within the Q Christian Fellowship community requires high levels of intentionality and ownership. It is our hope that the following guidelines will give the Q Christian Fellowship community tangible tools to primarily prevent or secondarily address any incidents of sexual offense, above and beyond applicable legal requirements, that threaten the sense of safety that is so vital to our community.
The creation and promotion of this set of Safe Community Guidelines recognizes human frailties. These guidelines are not meant to imply a lack of trust within our Q Christian Fellowship community members, but to communicate our deep commitments to protect each other and to cultivate safety. We recognize the vulnerability that can manifest in community where people may be experiencing new-found freedom in their sense of sexuality or gender, where people come from diverse backgrounds, including those who are survivors of sexual violence, and where people are sharing their lives with significant levels of emotional and spiritual intimacy.
One of the core values of our Centered Set of Sexual Ethics at Q Christian Fellowship is mutuality. We intentionally seek to share power where everyone feels empowered to make a difference in the community. We recognize, however, that individuals affiliated with or directly employed by the Organization may be perceived and/or granted a sense of authority that inevitably impacts how we cultivate a sense of safety together.
The following will not be tolerated in Q Community Groups:
Racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, religious intolerance, ageism, and all other forms of discrimination
Physical, verbal, mental or any other form of abuse towards or harassment of a participant or leader
Sexual harassment, inappropriate/unwelcome comments and behaviors
Disruptive or disrespectful behavior that derails conversation in the group
Misgendering- Participants and leaders will respect the names and pronouns of other participants and leaders
Informal counseling or unsolicited advice by those not professionally trained to provide mental health or pastoral care.
Any activity which harms or disrupts this environment of radical welcome or is in violation of the guidelines may result in loss of access to the community groups. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
Sharing or sending illegal, obscene, profane, defamatory, or threatening content via public or private forums;
Sharing or sending spam, nudes, or other unsolicited advertisements for goods or services;
Impersonating another individual;
Using the community groups to make sexual advances toward participants/volunteers/staff via public or private forums’
Violating participant privacy (posting private communications, participant information, etc.);
Sharing or sending references - either specific statements or innuendos - to recreational drugs and/or alcohol use.
Attacking Q Christian Fellowship’s mission, policies, direction or belief statements;
Promoting Ex-gay/Side X ideologies or organizations over public or private forums
Sharing or sending sexual and/or sexually suggestive content to community group participants, leaders, and/or QCF staff
Relationships Between Leaders & Participants
Due to the power dynamics between leaders and participants, leader/participant relationships, unless preexisting, are not allowed during the course of the Community Group. Leaders will not reach out to participants in a romantic or sexually suggestive manner, (explicitly or implicitly), in person or through electronic means. If a leader has done so, participants should contact a Q Christian staff member immediately. Participants similarly are not allowed to reach out to leaders in a romantic or sexually suggestive manner, (explicitly or implicitly), in person or through electronic means.
Leaders and participants will not solicit funds or recruit members of the group to participate in MLM (multi-level marketing) organizations or personal product promotion. Leaders will not use their email lists for any purposes other than group related communications.
Engaging & Listening
Value one another during the discussions by really listening to what is being shared. Try to avoid thinking about how you are going to respond, or what you are going to say next. Restate what is said by others before responding. An example would be, “What I think you are saying is…”
Disrespecting the Beliefs/Convictions of Others
Participants must honor the mission, vision and values of Q Christian Fellowship. Q Christian Fellowship is comprised of a diverse population with sometimes vastly different cultural backgrounds, identities, political affiliations, and theology. Leaders or participants who attack the beliefs and convictions of other participants in a disrespectful manner may be asked to leave the group. All leaders must have signed Attachment A/B Guidelines on creating safe space within Q Christian Fellowship groups and events.
“Fixing” or Rescuing
Give encouragement and provide spiritual and emotional support. Do not offer unsolicited advice or attempt to “fix” others or their current circumstances. Be aware that responses such as “Everything happens for a reason” or “God is in control” may not be encouraging for those who have suffered depression, trauma or who have had to deconstruct/reconstruct their faith.
Conflict
Resolve conflict with grace and compassion. If a conflict continues without resolution, leaders or participants may ask a Q Christian staff member for help facilitating a conversation or determining the best course of action.
Accommodations
Community Group leaders and participants are encouraged to request any needed accommodations to engage in the group, such as closed captioning, ASL interpreting services, etc. We have a limited budget each fiscal year to assist with securing these services and cannot guarantee funding provisions to aid in these services. However, if you would like to request accommodations, please do so at the time of registration for your Community Group. Either your group leader(s) or a member of the QCF Staff will be in touch with you about coordinating these services.
