Why Chat is Safe?
All chats are completely confidential and anonymous; whatever is written in the one-one one chat session remains fully confidential. All peer chat interns sign confidentiality agreements. The RCSGD is aware that questions concerning an individual’s identity and expression are sensitive topics. Participants choose their own screen name and they can be as anonymous as students would like.
How Can Chat Help?
Peer chatting can provide answers to questions about their sexuality and/or gender. Peer chats provide a judgment free and safe space to ask any question that has been on one’s mind. No one will pressure students to "choose" a sexual orientation or gender identity. Peer Chat interns can help answer questions about safer sex practices, how to navigate tricky relationships, how to make more LGBTQ friends, or what resources there are on campus. The Peer Chat program is a safe haven for students to explore their individuality and expression.
Who is involved with the Chat?
The Peer Chat program is led by professional staff members from the Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity, whom have advanced degrees focused on gender and sexuality. The RCSGD partners with Counseling Services to ensure students’ mental and emotional needs are being met. Chats are facilitated by trained student interns and professional career staff members. Peer Chat interns are highly trained and equipped with the most up-to-date resources and knowledge on how to provide students resources and guidance as they navigate UCSB. Peer Chat interns are carefully selected and monitored by university staff members and counselors.
Disclaimer
The chat site developers, facilitators, or its affiliates take no responsibility whatsoever for the consequences experienced by the student who may use the information provided on this chat site. The Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity (RCSGD) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Services provides this online chatting service to provide basic information about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, and transgender community at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The chats are led by trained student interns from the RCSGD as a means to become familiar with resources on campus and in the community. Information and opinions expressed on this chat site are those of the writers who have written them on the basis of their education and experience.
This chat site does not share information about individual students unless deemed necessary out of emergency safety situations. All chats will be conducted with students using only screen names created by the student. Anonymity is a significant component to this chat service.
In case of any emergency situation or crises please call 911 and seek immediate help. Additionally, the UCSB after-hours phone counseling can be a resource at 805-893-4411. The online chat service is not intended to be a hotline and should not be utilized in place of seeking a counselor or emergency information.
This disclaimer governs your use of our online chatting services; by using our services, you accept this disclaimer in full. If you disagree with any part of this disclaimer, do not use this chat site. We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. You should therefore check periodically for changes. By using this site after we post any changes, you agree to accept those changes, whether or not you have reviewed them.
"I agree to participate in the online chat services conducted by the Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Services. I have been informed that the purpose of the online chat service is to provide any person a venue to ask questions about and/or regarding the LGBTQ community at the University of California, Santa Barbara anonymously. I understand that if I agree to participate in the chat service, the RCSGD and LGBT Services is not responsible for any and all actions, causes of actions, loss or injury, which may be sustained. Likewise, I acknowledge that use of this chat site is at my own risk and discretion. I am aware that my participation is voluntary and may be withdrawn at any time without penalty or prejudice, and that any questions concerning the online chat service should be directed to the Director of LGBT Services. I understand that all information gathered during conversations will be kept anonymous by only using screen names. I agree that my consent to participate in this project does not constitute a waiver of any legal rights or redress I might have as a result of my participation, I acknowledge that I agree with this disclaimer."
Instructions
- Read the Disclaimers and Check the Agreement Box.
- Then, press "Open Peer Chat" to continue.
- Create a Username you want to be identified by, no Passwords are required.
- Double Click on the Chat Room and the next available Peer Mentor will be with you as soon as possible.