[About LGBTQ+ Youth Safe Space Opening]

(The name will be decided later!)

At Kumamoto YWCA, we have decided to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ (including people who are not sure) to gather for young people between 10 and 30 years old.

Kumamoto YWCA 2F The space at the back will be partially renovated to make it a gathering place.

(* 2021.5.16 text corrected. "open space" → "safe space")

This is a safe space for people who think the following:

I want to talk to various people who have the same or different sexuality to me!

I want to relax!

We would like to make it a place where you can relax and spend your time freely. Here you will play games, watch movies, and have some snacks.

People who are not sure yet - "I don't know yet...", "Maybe...?" - are also welcome (^^)

We have a request:

Currently, disaster relief supplies are stored in the 2nd floor of the YWCA building, which is where we will build the safe space. We have to clean up and rearrange those supplies in order to build the safe space; therefore, we are looking for people to work with us!

We would like to work together, and with the staff also, to create this space. We look forward to working with you.

[Requests to all participants]

・Although this is a safe space, there are many different people joining: there are those who have not come out yet and there are those who already did; so, please refrain from deciding a pronoun ("he" or "she") just by appearance.

・In Japanese, please refrain from using honorifics like "kun" or "chan". Please use "san" instead.

・Participants do not have to talk if they don't want to.

・Regarding taking photographs, it is prohibited unless individual consent is given by the people being photographed.

(*Staff will take pictures for records and activity reports. If you don't wish to appear in these photos, please do not hesitate to tell us)

・After the gathering, please refrain from talking to others about it, posting about the gathering on SNS (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, blogs, etc.) or any other action that might compromise other participants privacy; specially without their consent.

・Those who wish to participate please send your name or alias (how you wish the staff to call you) and contact address to the email address below (kumamoto.ywca@gmail.com). Describing you sexuality is optional, but please do if you need special consideration.

Please do not hesitate to write and contact us in advance if you have any questions or concerns.