Queer Harbor FAQ

Queer Harbor exists to be a safe space for LGBTQIA+ folks to come together and create. It stands as a place to hold yourself accountable for making time for your craft, while also gaining community. 

When do meetings occur?

Meetings are on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 12-2pm. There are occasional changes, so stay tuned for updates on our Instagram!

Where are meetings held?

Meetings are held at the main branch of the Beverly Public Library (32 Essex St, Beverly, MA 01915). This branch has a variety of meeting rooms that we utilize for meetings, most often the Fogg Room or the Barnett Gallery. You can see what room the meeting is in using the display at the front entrance of the library. There is a TV screen there with all room bookings listed. 

How are meetings structured?

We begin every meeting with a brief check-in about what our individual goals are. The majority of our time is then spent focused on writing, editing, or working on personal projects. Within this period, writers can rely on each other – asking questions, getting opinions, or leveraging different perspectives. The session ends with a conversation about what progress we made. At this time, folks are welcome to do a brief reading of their work to close us out. 

I’m not queer. Can I still join?

Of course. We do not discriminate against any members. We do, however, expect your allyship. This is a queer-centered space that was created to give a safe place for writers in our community. We expect all members to uphold that safe space. 

How do you create a safe space?

The basis of any safe space is communication. We expect all members of our group to communicate responsibly and be kind and responsive to those around them. This is a space to lift each other up. This means providing constructive criticism, when asked for, in a caring and productive manner. 

What are the community guidelines?

We want everyone to feel empowered within Queer Harbor and that comes with many considerations. Should any person feel uncomfortable based on the words or behaviors of another member, we ask that a conversation unfold – whether between those two parties, or with the Queer Harbor organizer (Alex Kist) stepping in for the uncomfortable party. We believe that educating each other should always be the first step. We ask that all members be open to any feedback given and thank the other party for investing in them as a community member. Should the behavior continue, we will assess any potential repercussions on a case by case basis. However, any individual who uses hate speech within our space will immediately be banned from Queer Harbor meetings.