It is quite likely that you will want to meet other people in the queer community. It is likely that you will be meeting people for the first time that you don’t know. Rainbow Youth offers events and activities out of the nightclub scene that are a safe way for you to meet others. In other cases, and in other places, you may have no way of knowing whether a person you don’t know well is genuine or not.
Here’s some advice you may wish to follow if you decide to meet up with someone you don’t know well.
- Make sure someone knows where you are going.
- Meet in a public place where there are people about, and make sure you have a means to get away and get home.
- Do not go somewhere you could be put at risk.
- Until you are sure the person is ok do not give them your home address or phone number. Meeting in a busy, public place during daylight hours is best.
- If you get an uneasy feeling, don’t ignore it. Just make an excuse and leave. Always make sure you are in situation where you can leave and make it home safely, with money for a taxi if needed.
- Tell someone where you are going. This could be a friend or family member and tell them about the person you are arranging to meet. If you have a mobile phone, arrange for someone to ring you during the time you are out to make sure you are ok.
- Remember, you are meeting to have fun or for enjoyment. Don’t let the situation get out of hand. Don’t ever be pressured into doing or saying anything you feel uncomfortable with.
- Common sense is the most essential aspect of personal safety. Trust your instincts if you don’t feel safe and be over-cautious if you don’t feel confident.
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