Who attends and what is said during meetings stay at those meetings and are not discussed outside of the group or at another meeting.

We are not here to tell anyone how they should or should not feel.  Our feelings are our feelings.

We encourage people to use "I" statements when sharing thoughts, opinions, feelings, and ideas.  This helps us have a nonjudgmental environment.  Examples are:  "I think…"  "I feel…"  "I believe…"

Many of us have certain issues that we feel unsafe or uncomfortable discussing.  This is okay.

Many of us have different kinds of relationships with other people at GAY.  Some group members may be dating each other.  Some group members may have broken up with each other.  In some cases, it may not be okay to share details of relationships when other members are present.  We ask that people try to be sensitive to this and that people avoid gossiping, spreading rumors, and disrespecting each other.

Just because we may be quiet does not mean that we are not communicating.  We try to ensure that a person is finished sharing before going on to the next person.  We ask that no side conversations occur when other people are sharing.

GAY is made up of people of different ages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, political beliefs, religious or spiritual beliefs, class backgrounds and HIV statuses.  We encourage everyone to avoid making assumptions about each other and to respect our diversity.  We all have a right to be here.

We come to GAY to get away from judgments, blame, guilt, and shame.  We work to keep our meetings free of these things.