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Ground Rules

Our goal is to ensure that our support groups, drop-ins, and special programs are safe and supportive environments in which we can discuss issues relating to our sexuality. To ensure safety and to help things run smoothly, we have a series of ground rules:

• Respect Confidentiality
  Who attends and what is said at a meeting or drop-in stays at the meeting or drop-in, not to be discussed outside or at another meeting or drop-in. The only exceptions are in cases where someone is at risk of suicide, homicide or child-abuse/neglect. (Staff are required by law to inform the authorities of these situations)
  
  
• Feelings are 100% OK
  We are not here to tell anyone what they should or should not feel. Feelings are non-negotiable.
  
  
• Use of "I" Statements
  We encourage people to use "I" statements when sharing thoughts, opinions, and ideas. The use of "I" statements creates a non-judgmental environment. Examples of "I" statements are "I think...", "I feel...", and "I believe...".
  
  
• Respect Boundaries
  Many of us have certain issues that we feel unsafe or uncomfortable discussing. That's OK. We should take necessary steps to ensure that we feel safe, even if that means leaving, or moving to another part of the space.
  
  
• Respect Relationships
  Many of us have multi-faceted relationships with other people at Outright. In some cases, in may be inappropriate to share details of those relationships when other parties are present. We ask that people try to be sensitive to this. We ask that people avoid gossiping, dishing, and spreading rumors.
  
  
• Respect Silence
  Just because we're not speaking doesn't necessarily mean we're not communicating. We try to be sure that a person is finished sharing before going on to the next person. We ask that no side conversation occur when others are sharing.
  
  
• Respect Diversity
  Outright is made up of people of different ages, races, gender-identities, sexual orientations, classes, political affiliations, abilities, religious, or spiritual beliefs, etc. We are HIV+, HIV-, and HIV unsure, or untested. We encourage everyone to avoid making assumptions about anyone, and to respect our diversity.
  
  
• No Judgments, Blame, Shame or Guilt
  We come to Outright to get away form these things. We work at keeping our meetings free of them.
  
  
• No Violence, Alcohol, or Drugs
  Some of us may be recovering from the effects of drugs, alcohol, and violence in our lives. We respect their needs.

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