The Safe Space Alliance is a LGBTQI+ led nonprofit organisation that aims to help people identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for LGBTQI+ communities worldwide. Being part of the Safe Space Alliance is being part of a global and collaborative safe space community.

A safe space is a space where LGBTQI+ communities can freely express themselves without fear. It is a space that does not tolerate violence, bullying, or hate speech towards LGBTQI+ communities.

A safe space does not guarantee 100% safety, rather, it’s a space that has your back if an incident (violence, bullying, or hate speech) were to occur.

LGBTQI+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, and the plus sign represents other people marginalised by sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and/or sex characteristics.

We use the LGBTQI+ acronym and umbrella term with a view to being as inclusive as possible, but acknowledge this may not work for everyone. There are other umbrella terms including rainbow, queer, and variations on the LGBTQI+ acronym like LGBT and LGBTQIA2, all of which have a place and may be used.

You can read the directors response to this question here.

Anyone anywhere in the world with a genuine interest in creating safe spaces for LGBTQI+ communities can list a safe space with us. We welcome and value all spaces regardless of size, location, and category/industry.

No. We welcome both physical/offline spaces (e.g. a street address or mobile unit) and digital/online spaces (e.g. apps, websites, or software). In some areas of the world, digital/online spaces may be the only form of safe space possible, particularly being LGBTQI+ is illegal. In addition, there are many individuals, businesses, and organisations that operate solely in a digital/online space.

You can list physical, mobile, digital, and/or heritage spaces with us:

• Physical space: this is a space people physically visit at a street address. For example, a retail store, cafe, or community center.
• Mobile space: this is a space that moves around a lot and is not tied to a specific street address. For example, a consultant, taxi service, or entertainer.
• Digital space: this is a space that exists in the digital and/or online realm and is not tied to a specific street address. For example, a website, app, or software.
• Heritage space: this is a safe space of historical significance to LGBTQI+ communities from the recent or distant past.

Listing with us is free. You also have the option of paid listings with extra features if you’d like to support the work we do as a global LGBTQI+ nonprofit organisation.

The only requirement is upholding our definition of a safe space: “A safe space is a space where LGBTQI+ communities can freely express themselves without fear. It is a space that does not tolerate violence, bullying, or hate speech towards LGBTQI+ communities”.

If you consider your space a safe space already, that’s fantastic. What we do is help increase visibility of this to a global audience by adding you to an online searchable safe space directory and sharing the good work you do through our social media channels at no cost.

For example, consider a gay couple who want to travel or move to another city or country with no idea of what LGBTQI+ acceptance levels are like there. They can contact us and/or use our directory to identify and engage with local safe spaces. It takes the guesswork out of the equation.

No. It is unlikely any space can guarantee 100% safety, particularly where there are external forces outside our control. Being a safe space is more about a space “having your back” if an incident (violence, bullying, or hate speech) were to happen.

The circular rainbow acts as a barrier to violence, bullying, and hate speech towards LGBTQI+ communities, creating a safe space in the middle. You can read more about our logo here.

No. There is no requirement to display the Safe Space Alliance logo (or similar e.g. a rainbow flag) in a safe space whether a physical/offline space or digital/online space. In some areas of the world it is too dangerous and/or not legal to show LGBTQI+ related symbols.

We provide free Safe Space Alliance collateral (e.g. our logo) as an option, including print ready files for postcards, stickers, posters, and signs, and digital assets for your digital/online channels as required including a digital badge for your website.

Our safe space sticker/decal files are available in many languages, each approved by a local translator from LGBTQI+ communities. If we don’t have your language we are more than happy to add your language. We are also happy to add combinations e.g. bilingual and trilingual versions.

If a space in our directory is reported to us as not providing a safe space for LGBTQI+ communities, we work with that space to resolve the issue/s. If this does not work, and the space remains unsafe, then we remove the space from our directory/membership until we can verify they are safe again. The entire process end to end is kept confidential.

You can submit your space for consideration by the Safe Space Alliance by completing our online form. We then work with your local LGBTQI+ communities (where possible) to verify the safety of your space. We will notify you by email of your results. If successful, your space will be listed in our directory. If not successful, we will explain why and where possible provide guidance on how to make your space safe for LGBTQI+ communities.

We welcome both LGBTQI+ and allied partners. LGBTQI+ partners may help us identify and verify safe spaces, provide on the ground support for safe spaces, and collaborate with us on particular projects. Allied partners are organisations that are not LGBTQI+ organisations, but have LGBTQI+ communities as an area of focus amongst others. You can view a list of our LGBTQI+ Partners here, and our Allied Partners here.

If you would like to partner with the Safe Space Alliance, please contact us for more information.

The Safe Space Alliance is a LGBTQI+ led nonprofit organisation run by a team of volunteers who work hard to help identify, navigate and create safe spaces for LGBTQI+ communities worldwide. We exist through the kind support of volunteers, donations, and sponsorship. You can view a list of our sponsors here.

If you’d like to sponsor us, please contact us for more information.

Yes. The Safe Space Volunteer Network (SSVN) forms a core part of our team and is made up of volunteers who work hard to help identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for LGBTQI+ communities worldwide.

If you would like to join the network and volunteer your time no matter how small or big we would love to hear from you. We welcome all skill sets from all locations in the world. Please contact us for more information.