What is the Safe Space Pledge?

Become a recognised Safe Space for others.

Get Support Take Pledge

Today, I pledge to display my commitment to safer spaces for LGBT people with stickers  from the LGBTQ+ Eastbourne Focus Group. 

By signing this pledge, I accept a CALL TO ACTION and commit to taking these simple action steps to help create long-term change:

I COMMIT TO STANDING UP AGAINST HATE AND EXCLUSION

  • I will name homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexism, and cissexism when it happens and I will speak-out against it when I hear it, see it, or read it.
  • I will combat heterosexism by not making assumptions about someone’s sexual orientation and/or the gender/gender identity of someone’s significant other. For example, I will use terms like “significant other,” “partner,” or “spouse,” instead of “boyfriend/girlfriend” or “husband/wife.”
  • I will reject cissexism by not making assumptions about someone’s gender/gender identity. I will share my pronouns and ask people for theirs.
Take Pledge and Sign Up

I COMMIT TO STAYING INFORMED

  • I will continue to educate myself about the LGBT community. Regardless of whether I am LGBT-identified or an ally, I will keep reading, learning, and listening to the diverse voices of LGBT people and keep abreast of evolving language.
  • I will learn about LGBT history that is not taught in schools. I will teach myself about the important contributions LGBT people have made throughout history. I will make specific efforts to learn about LGBT people of color who were pioneers in LGBT civil rights movements and who have been excluded from history books and popular culture.

I COMMIT TO BEING A TRANS EQUITY AND GENDER-INCLUSION ADVOCATE

  • I will use gender-inclusive or gender-neutral language rather than gender-specific language.  For example, instead of saying “that man,” I will say “that person in the yellow hat” and instead of saying “you guys/ladies,” I will say “folks” or “everyone.”
  • I will become a “pronoun pro.” Regardless of whether I am cis or trans, I will introduce myself with my pronouns and I will include my pronouns in my email signature and social media to normalize the practice of highlighting pronouns. I will educate others on why everyone’s pronouns are important and deserve to be honored.

I COMMIT TO SUPPORTING RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION

  • I will celebrate the diverse intersections of LGBT people’s multiple identities. LGBT people are also people of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants and people who speak languages other than English. I will not minimize LGBT people to just one of their many identities or dismiss their myriad of experiences.

What is the Safe Space Pledge About?

What is a Safe Space?

A Safe Space is a place where LGBT+ people can feel safe, welcome and supported. If your establishment is a Safe Space, it means that people of all genders and sexualities can feel relaxed and protected. Safe Spaces are vital as being out in public can often be dangerous and debilitating for LGBT+ people. Being a Safe Space means that you are committed to implementing policies that meet the needs that LGBT+ people have when visiting your place of business.

Safe Spaces is overseen by the LGBTQ+ Focus Group which is made up of varies LGBTQ+ Charities and business’s across Eastbourne who support the LGBTQ+ community. We aim to promote a better quality of life for LGBT+ people in Eastbourne and surrounding areas by enabling networking and capacity building for the LGBT voluntary sector and community.

The following organisations are partners within this Pledge:

Bournethisway LGBTQ+ Parents Support Group

Bourne This Way LGBTQ+ Parents support group is a Community Interest Company based in East Sussex which aims to create a non-judgemental, friendly, inclusive space for parents and their children.

  • Bourne This Way - LGBTQ+ Parent Support Group
  • 3VA - Voluntary Action in Eastbourne, Lewes District and Wealden
  • Ninja Arena
  • The Beacon
  • Eastbourne Borough Council
  • Mind Out

What is the Safer Spaces Project?

Under this project, businesses, public and voluntary sector organisations can sign up and mark their organisation as a Safe Space by displaying our poster and putting the campaign logo in their window. The requirements will be different for each type of business (shops, nightclubs, restaurants, bars, etc.) or public sector organisation and we will compile a list of LGBT+ Safe Spaces in Eastbourne that members of the community can view online.

We will provide guidance and offer training to turn your organisation into a Safer Space. We will hold participating businesses accountable to the local community. All our campaign material on display will have our contact information and customers can contact us with their reactions. A QR code will be on the poster which is where people can find the LGBTQ+ Support services within Eastbourne. If a business fails to respect their pledge then we will help the organisation to address their customers concerns. In extreme or persistent cases of offence we will revoke our logo and update our online list accordingly.

What do I need to do to become a Safe Space?

Ensure that your business is a safe and welcoming space for LGBT+ customers in the community. Sounds simple doesn’t it? And to be honest it is. Most businesses would not survive if they were not welcoming and safe places for their customers.

Would you and your team benefit from LGBTQ+ awareness training?

If so get in touch: bournethisway.lgbt@hotmail.com

Training

What will be the benefit for my organisation?

  • MONEY!
    You will increase satisfaction of customers and can increase your revenue. LGBTQ people tend to have a 23% higher purchasing power than the average salary. But even better, 74% of LGBTQ people and 42% of the rest of the population are more likely to spend money in places that they believe to be ‘gay-friendly’ .
  • PROMOTION
    You can use our logo for advertisement and we will also add you to a list of LGBTQ places.
    You can get space in our publications and thereby promote your business.
  • SUPPORT
    We can provide you with simple advice, training and check list guidance to help you fulfil your diversity and equality pledge.
    We facilitate discussion with other organisations and businesses about your practical experience of implementing Safer Spaces. You can learn from each other and also tell us how we can further improve the scheme, for example when new members are joining.
  • TRAINING
    We can deliver LGBTQ+ Awareness Training to your organisation at a small cost- this can be delivered online or face to face.

    For LGBTQ training please contact: bournethisway.lgbt@hotmail.com

What Do I Have to Do?

Commitment to Educate Your Staff Businesses signing up to Safe Space

Make a commitment to train existing staff and new staff by asking them to read the Safe Space principles and to hold a discussion about the principles with your staff and to make clear to staff what your expectations of them are.

But you are not alone, we are happy to provide some help with the training too!

Sign up to the pledge by using the link…….. and Display the Sticker

We ask business owners to sign up to the Safe Space pledge as demonstration of their commitment and to display it in a prominent place within their establishment. We also ask businesses to display the project sticker on their front door.

Businesses should also aim to fulfill the following points:

  • Ensure changing rooms and bathrooms are a Safe Space for transgender people.
  • Implement gender-flexible uniforms and dress codes for your own staff

How will this scheme be regulated?

In order to ensure that participating businesses are upholding their promises. If an establishment is failing to live up to the pledge we will contact them to talk about the areas in which they could improve. If this continues, we will remove the business from our list.