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Gather Safety Guidelines

Because connection feels best when everyone feels safe.

Gather is an LGBTQ-only app focused on spontaneous, real-world connection. These guidelines help keep every gathering safe, supportive, and affirming.

1. How Gather Protects Your Safety

We've built core safety protections directly into the product:

📍Location is always approximate

Event pins appear within ~250m of the actual spot — never your exact location.

  • Exact addresses are only shown on the event details page for public gatherings with set locations, or after you're approved for private gatherings.

🔒Private gatherings keep locations hidden

For private gatherings:

  • The location stays hidden until the host approves your request.
  • You can chat first to get a sense of everyone's vibe before attending.

🏙️Most gatherings are public, in well-populated places

Cafés, parks, gyms, beaches, co-working spaces — these are the most common gathering spots.

👤Every gathering requires an account

Only logged-in users can join or create gatherings. This helps keep participation accountable and traceable.

🚨Reporting & moderation

You can report:

  • Users
  • Messages
  • Gatherings

We review reports, remove harmful content, and may block accounts for unsafe behavior.

🌍Regional safety protection

We geoblock countries where it's unsafe to be LGBTQ so Gather cannot be used to target queer people.

2. Your Role: Community Safety Starts With You

Gather is built on trust, warmth, and mutual care. These guidelines help everyone stay safe while building community.

Tips for Attending Gatherings:

✔Choose public places when meeting new people

If you don't know anyone attending, prefer well-lit, public, and central areas. This is how most Gather meetups happen.

✔Get a feel for the vibe before deciding

Before attending, you can:

  • Read the group chat
  • Say hello
  • Ask questions
  • Have a quick call or video chat with attendees

Small interactions go a long way in sensing comfort and trust.

✔Bring a friend if that helps you feel safer

Plus-ones are common if the host allows them.

✔Trust your instincts

If something feels off at any point:

  • Leave
  • Message the host privately
  • Don't feel pressured to stay

You never owe anyone your time or presence.

⚠️Red flags to watch for

Not all of these mean danger, but they're worth pausing over:

  • A gathering in a secluded location with people you've never interacted with
  • Someone pushing for you to go somewhere isolated
  • Someone avoiding simple questions about the plan
  • Last-minute location changes to somewhere private

If anything doesn't feel right, choose a different gathering or ask for more info.

4. Safety When Hosting Gatherings

✔Choose your location thoughtfully

If you're meeting people you don't know yet, host in public or open venues. After you know some attendees, private homes can be an option — but use your judgment.

✔Set expectations in chat

Most hosts:

  • Say hello when someone joins
  • Share any logistical details
  • Ask attendees a few things to understand the vibe

This helps build trust for everyone.

✔You can chat before approving requests

For private gatherings: It's totally normal to message someone, ask a couple questions, or even do a quick call before approving.

✔Trust your instincts too

If someone doesn't feel like a fit for your gathering, you can choose not to approve their request.

5. Respect Privacy and Boundaries

Everyone on Gather has different comfort levels.

  • Use people's correct names and pronouns.
  • Don't pressure anyone about identity details they don't want to share.
  • Don't publicly share another user's information without explicit consent.
  • Keep group chat and gathering details confidential unless told otherwise.

6. Look Out for Each Other

Gather is community-led. The way we care for one another is what makes the app safe and joyful.

  • Say hi in the chat — most people do
  • Share plans clearly
  • Support newcomers
  • Step away from any situation that feels wrong for you
  • Report anything that violates these guidelines

Safety grows strongest through collective responsibility.

7. Reporting & Support

If anything concerning happens:

We review all reports and take action quickly. You are never bothering us — safety always comes first.

8. A Final Note

Gather was created to help queer people meet, connect, and build real-life community. Safety isn't a set of rules — it's a culture we co-create every day.

Thank you for helping make Gather feel like home.