The health and safety of our youth, volunteers, staff and guest are always our number 1 priority. We Are Family is constantly monitoring the evolution any health crisis that may occur and will follow public health guidance in order to make the proper adjustments to our programs.
Groups are being held virtually via Zoom for the month of January. Starting in February 2020, SafeSpace and QueerSpace will move to a Hybrid model in which one week they will meet in person and following online. In addition, LGBTQI+ youth are also encouraged to join an upcoming virtual discussion group via Q Chat Space, operated by CenterLink.
The store is currently open during it’s regular business hours Wednesday-Saturday from 11am-7pm and Sunday 12-6pm.. Guest who visit the store may chose to wear a mask and sanitize their hands before shopping. Free mask and hand sanitizer is provided at the front of the store. Trying on clothing is at your own risk and we highly recommend washing any items before wearing after you have made your purchase. Donations to the thrift store can still be made in store or by making dropping items off in our purple donation bin located outside of our building. Click here to learn more about what items we accept.
Guest are also encouraged wash and/or sanitize their hands throughout the event. Guest may wear a mask if they wish and is not mandatory unless stated by the venue.
Most of WAF’s event are open to the public and are free, unless stated otherwise which would require an RSVP before the event or a ticket to be bought to attend.
Bullying and harassment of any short will not be tolerated in any We Are Family spaces including any off-site We Are Family events. Anyone engaging in this behavior will be asked to leave and could be barred from participating in any We Are Family programs and events.
If for any reason you do not feel safe or have a bad feeling about something or someone, please let one of our staff members know. Everyone at We Are Family has been trained to de-escalate situations.
In addition, LGBTQI+ youth are also encouraged to join an upcoming virtual discussion group via Q Chat Space, operated by CenterLink.
Further Readings:
Other Resources:
Charleston United Covid Response Facebook Page
Campaign for Southern Equality’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant Round:
Front Porch: Virtual Gatherings for the #LGBTQSouth from Campaign for Southern Equality
Strategies for Getting Grounded and Staying Principled in Uncertain Times from Campaign for Southern Equality
The Neighborhood: A Virtual Hub for LGBTQ+ Families from Family Equality
Virtual Events for Youths and Parents from Family Equality
Shows, Movies, and Books for Social Distancing:
Shows:
Pose - Netflix
Dickinson - Apple TV
Sense8 - Netflix
Transparent - Prime Video
Movies:
I Am Not Your Negro - Netlfix, Amazon
Moonlight - Netflix
Tangerine - Hulu
Blue is the Warmest Color - Netflix
But I’m a Cheerleader - Prime Video
Boys Don’t Cry - HBO
Birdcage - Prime Video
Paris is Burning - Netflix
Books:
Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story by Jacob Tobia
Real Queer America: LBGT Stories from Red States by Samantha Allen
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
Burn the Place: A Memoir by Iliana Regan
Queer: A Novel by William S. Burroughs
Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens: 2nd Edition by Kathy Belge & Marke Bieschke
Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles
Other Media
Movies, Films, Documentaries and more on Kanopy
We Are Family is closely monitoring advice from public health experts and are taking measures to enhance the safety of our youth and their families, thrift store guest, and staff—an inherent risk of contracting COVID-19 and other contagious diseases exists in any public space. If you are attending a We Are Family in person program or event you agree to comply with all health and safety protocols implemented by We Are Family based on applicable federal, state, and local rules and guidelines, and agree that:
We Are Family cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed to and contract COVID-19 or other contagious diseases, and all those attending a We Are Family event or program do so at their own risk.
You accept the risk of being exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 or other contagious diseases along with all related consequences. You agree that this waiver means you give up your right to bring any claims, including but not limited to claims of negligence.
Admission to We Are Family’s programs and any of our events is conditioned on compliance with health and safety protocols. Guest who do not follow applicable safety protocols may be asked to leave the premises.
We Are Family youth and their families, thrift store guest, staff, and visitors have the right to an environment free from abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behavior. We Are Family reserves the right to remove any person acting in an unacceptable or inappropriate manner.