Gather Safety Guidelines

📍Location & visibility

• Gatherings show an approximate area on the map, never your exact location.

  Event pins appear within ~250m of the actual spot — not your precise address.

• Exact addresses are only shown:
  • On the event details page for public gatherings when the host sets a location, or
  • After you're approved to join a private gathering.
• Your profile may appear to nearby users in the "People near you" view, but:
  • Your exact location is never shared
  • Only an approximate distance (for example: "~1 km away") is shown if you enable that setting.

🔓Public vs private gatherings

To help you choose what feels right for you:

• Public gatherings
  • Anyone on Gather can see the gathering details.
  • If the host sets an address, it is visible to everyone.
  • The group chat is open — anyone can join and read messages.
• Private gatherings
  • People must request to join.
  • Until a host approves you, you cannot see the address or the group chat.
  • Hosts can chat with you first to make sure it feels like a good fit.

🏠Public spaces vs private locations

Some gatherings happen in public spaces like cafés, parks, gyms, beaches, and co-working spaces. Others may be in private homes or more secluded locations.

• Be extra cautious when meeting people you don't know yet at a private address.
• If you're unsure, suggest starting in a public place first or getting to know people a bit more in the group chat or via a quick call.

👤Every gathering requires an account

Only logged-in users can create or join gatherings.

You might see gatherings on the map while logged out, but participation always requires an account. This helps keep activity more accountable.

🚨Reporting & moderation

You can report:

• Users
• Gatherings

We review reports, remove harmful content, and may block accounts that behave in unsafe or abusive ways.

If you're ever unsure, it's always okay to leave a gathering, block a user, and/or report them.

🌍Regional safety protection

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

✔Choose public places when meeting new people

If you don't know anyone attending yet, meeting in public, well-lit spaces is the safest default.

✔Get a feel for the vibe before deciding

Before you show up in person, you can:

• Read the group chat
• Say hello and see how people respond
• Ask simple questions about the plan
• Have a quick call or video chat with someone from the gathering

If the vibe feels off, you never have to attend.

✔Bring a friend

If the host allows it, bringing a friend can make first gatherings feel safer and more relaxed.

✔Trust your instincts

At any point — before, during, or after a gathering — if something doesn't feel right:

• You can leave.
• You don't need to justify it.
• Your safety and comfort are more important than being "polite."

⚠Red flags to watch for

These don't always mean danger, but they are signals to slow down and check in with yourself:

• Someone pushing to move quickly to a private or isolated location.
• Details of the gathering keep changing last-minute in ways that feel confusing or sketchy.
• Someone avoids answering simple questions about the plan or who will be there.
• You notice controlling, aggressive, or disrespectful behavior in chat or in person.

If you notice red flags, you can step back, not attend, or leave early.

✔Choose your location thoughtfully

If you're inviting people you don't know yet:

• Prefer public places or venues with other people around.
• Consider starting in a café, park, or other open space before inviting people to a private home.

Once you know and trust some of the people in your gatherings, private homes can be completely fine — use your judgment.

✔Set expectations in the chat

As a host, you help set the tone. You can:

• Welcome people as they join the chat.
• Share the basic plan (time, meeting spot, what to bring).
• Encourage questions and make it clear people can leave any time.

A few simple messages from the host go a long way to making everyone feel safe and included.

✔Use private gatherings when needed

If you want more control over who attends:

• Make the gathering private.
• Review join requests and approve the people you feel comfortable with.
• It's okay to say no — especially if someone ignores boundaries or seems disrespectful.

✔Trust your instincts as a host

You are never obligated to host someone who makes you uncomfortable.

You can:

• Decline their request.
• Remove them from the gathering.
• Block and/or report them to us if needed.