OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

We use our resources in accordance with our organizational values.  As an organization that is by and for the LGBTQ+ community, offering free LGBTQ+ programing year round, we rely heavily on community support to continue operating. 

We are happy to pay a tabling fee for events where the planning group/organization is either BIPOC led, or serves the LGBTQ+ BIPOC community. 

For all other tabling opportunities, we ask the organizers to consider waiving the fee for us to attend.

We are aware of the multitude of issues that impact those with a variety of intersecting identities, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community in MetroWest. We provide regular opportunities for youth to discuss issues that affect them. 

We do not have the capacity to promote and/or comment on all events and/or issues publicly. In order to use our time and resources most effectively, we primarily focus on activities that fulfill our mission. We consider the following when asked to weigh in on, or promote, global/local issues and outside events:

• Is it BY, about, or for the queer community? (Strong preference for things BY the queer community)
• We aim to prioritize content that centers/is made by the trans BIPOC community.
• Is it BY, about, or for youth? (Strong preference for things BY youth)
• Does it reflect our organizational values?
• Is it about a topic that aligns with our mission to build communities where LGBTQ+ youth thrive?
• Does it have a clear connection to or impact on MetroWest?

Additionally, we only promote research studies that pay at least minimum wage in MA.

OUT MetroWest is committed to advocating for the rights and safety of all our community members, and we know that we cannot guarantee safety in public spaces. We acknowledge the long history of violence and oppression against LGBTQ+ people--and Black, Indigenous, People of color [BIPOC], both those who are LGBTQ+ and those who are not--perpetrated by law enforcement agencies as institutions and their representatives as individuals.

This policy guides our organization toward decisions that embody our organizational values; protect the youth we serve, as well as our staff and volunteers; and utilizes our role in the community to make change in a way that matches our capacity, expertise, and mission. This policy recognizes that many in our community do not feel safe in the presence of law enforcement and that the change that is required to correct the course of history of oppression perpetrated by institutions of law enforcement is much bigger than our organization. 

In keeping with our organizational values:

• Staff and volunteers will be offered an annual safety marshal training, so we can utilize these skills at our public events 
• We prioritize attending events that center community safety and minimize collaboration with local law enforcement/police.
• We do not participate in events where there is known collaboration with ICE/DHS and its agents. 
• Armed, uniformed law enforcement officers will not be present at our programs or events, unless legally required or as a last resort or in a true emergency.
• Staff who are not comfortable attending any event in which OUT MetroWest is participating where law enforcement will be present may opt out without question or consequence. 
• We will not conduct trainings on LGBTQ+ issues/competency with law enforcement representatives present, attending in their law enforcement capacity.

We try to make it to every event we are asked to attend, however we cannot guarantee our presence. To have the best chance we can visit with your community, please submit requests 4-6 weeks in advance. For events during Pride month, please request our attendance 8-10 weeks in advance as we book up quickly for June.