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FAQs

What is Q Chat Space? What is it not?

Q Chat Space provides live, chat-based support groups for LGBTQ+ and questioning teens 13 to 19 years old. It is not a forum, and there is no video or audio. Everyone is chatting at the same pre-scheduled chat time. Each chat lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Q Chat Space chats are facilitated by trained staff/volunteers from LGBTQ+ centers across the United States. Q Chat Space facilitators are not medical or mental health professionals and cannot provide crisis intervention. The facilitators may also be required by state law to make a report if you share that you are being abused (physically, sexually, or emotionally) or that you want to hurt yourself or someone else. If you are in crisis or need help immediately, please call 911 or use the resources available here.

LGBTQ+ teens are using Q Chat Space to get support, make friends, and build community in a safe environment. Q Chat Space is not a dating site. Please do not repeatedly talk to someone about romantic or sexual things when they have asked you to stop. Do not use sexually explicit or degrading words and phrases.

It's my first time joining a Q Chat Space chat. How do I join?
  1. FORM: Complete our First Time User form
  2. FOLLOWSign up for text reminders at Join A Chat page and follow our Instagram/Facebook to get reminders about our chats.
  3. REGISTER: When it’s time for the chat, go to Join A Chat page and click the “Join Now!” button, then register for a new Rocket Chat account. IMPORTANT: You must use the same email address you used for your First Time User form!
  4. WAIT: Check your email! You will receive an email once your account has been activated.
  5. JOIN: After your account has been activated, go back to Join A Chat page and join the chat!
What will it be like when I join a chat?

Q Chat Space chats can be confusing and overwhelming for new folks! Our chats usually flow like this:

  1. Chat room opens and participants can join! 
  2. Facilitators welcome everyone and direct message each person in case they need 1-on-1 support (participants cannot direct message each other, only facilitators can).
  3. Some casual mingling time.
  4. Facilitators start the chat with the group agreements, introductions, and an icebreaker question. 
  5. Facilitators start the conversation about the chat topic of the day.
  6. 5 minutes before the chat end time, facilitators send the closing activity and a list of resources.
  7. Everyone is removed from the chat room and then the room is closed.

Check out this video to see what joining a chat would be like.

Can I get text reminders? When are they sent? Are they private?

You can sign up for text reminders (English or Spanish) on our Join a Chat page. Text reminders are sent one day and one hour before the chat. You can unsubscribe from the text reminders anytime. 

There are 2 text message reminder options: Discreet or Detailed. Discreet text reminders are private, they do not include "Q Chat Space" or the name of the chat. They only say "Reminder: You have an online discussion in about 1 hour." or "Reminder: You have an online discussion in about 24 hours." Detailed text reminders will include "Q Chat Space", the name of the chat, and a link to Q Chat Space website.

Unfortunately, we can only send text reminders to U.S. and Canada phones at the moment.

How can I share feedback?

Contact us to share feedback about another chat participant, a facilitator, a particular chat, the website or chat platform, or anything else about Q Chat Space.

What am I agreeing to in joining Q Chat Space chats?

📌 Q Chat Space Agreements 📌

We want people who use Q Chat Space to feel safe, get support, and make friends. In order to make sure that happens, we need to have clear and mutually agreed upon ways to interact with each other. Everyone needs to work together to build a respectful and trusting community. By joining our chats, you are agreeing that you will follow our agreements:

  1. Absolutely no hate, harassment, or bullying. – No -isms like sexism, racism or ableism. No -phobias like homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia.
  2. Keep confidentiality. – What’s shared here, stays here. Don’t share others’ personal stories or information. Don't share your personal information like your address or contact information.
  3. Respect other participants, facilitators, space, and time. – Respect different identities, pronouns, experiences, and perspectives. Respect the limited space and the time we have together. Assume best intentions, consider everyone an ally, and keep an open mind.​
  4. Take space, make space. Include everyone. – Take as much space as you need, but also make space for others. Include everyone in the conversation, not just your friends.
  5. Support yourself and others. - Whether you're feeling negative or positive, you're welcome here but don’t take it out on others. Be gentle and patient with yourself and others.
  6. Be your own advocate. - If you’ve been hurt, let them know. When someone lets you know that something you said has hurt them, own your impact and apologize for your mistake.​ Be considerate and use content/trigger warning when talking about things that may be difficult for yourself or others.

🤝 How we keep our agreements 🤝

Both facilitators and chat participants are responsible for keeping these agreements and helping each other understand when the agreements are broken. If you notice that someone is not following our agreements, say something or message one of the facilitators. The facilitators will take the following steps to ensure our agreements are followed:

  1. Facilitators will first try to address the concern as a group and/or communicate the concern directly with the participant breaking our agreements.
  2. If the participant breaks our agreements the second time, facilitators will mute them and have a deeper conversation in the direct message.
  3. If the participant breaks our agreements the third time, facilitators will give them a list of resources and then remove them from the chat room.

Limitations in our agreements 

Q Chat Space is here to support you, but we have the following limitations:

  • Q Chat Space facilitators are not medical or mental health professionals and cannot provide crisis intervention.
  • While we won’t share the information you share in the chat, Q Chat Space facilitators may be required by state law to report information shared in the chat if you share that you are being abused or that you want to hurt yourself or someone else.
  • Q Chat Space chats may be used for training, evaluation, or research, but your username or personal information will never be shared publicly.

✋ If you have questions or concerns about any part of Q Chat Space agreements, please message one of the facilitators during chat or contact the Q Chat Space administrator. We would be happy to explain and keep you informed to the best of our ability.

How can I make sure I am safe and help create a safe space while participating in Q Chat Space chats?

We want everyone to feel and be safe in Q Chat Space. Here are some guidelines to help you do that.

  • When you log in to the chat, choose a username and profile picture that maintain a level of privacy you are comfortable with.
  • Remember that what happens online is as serious as in real life. Don’t say anything in the chat that you wouldn’t be comfortable saying in person.
  • Don’t share personal information like your birth date, phone number, city you live in, school name, or social media accounts.
  • Trust your own instincts. If you think that it might be unwise to share something, don’t do it. If someone says or does something that makes you feel uncomfortable, ask them to stop. If they don’t stop, let a facilitator know.
  • Even if you think it’s obvious that you are joking, it can be hard to tell. If it’s meant to be funny, make that clear by adding ‘lol’ or ‘jk.’
I'm an adult and I'd like to share Q Chat Space with youth. How can I do that?

Thank you for spreading the word about Q Chat Space! Click here to download our promotion kit and receive free posters and wallet cards.

What’s the fine print?

Read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for Q Chat Space website. You will see that these are the privacy policy and terms of use of CenterLink’s web properties because this website is affiliated with CenterLink.