"I'm gay and I couldn't say it for a long time. I had no one to turn to," says the student who started a queer site so others wouldn't be alone

At a time when a large part of interpersonal relationships is moving online, there is a need for deeper understanding and security alongside quick contacts. This is exactly what the new queer community server on the Discord platform, behind which eighteen-year-old student Dominik is behind, is responding to. He himself went through a period of searching for his own identity and uncertainty about who to confide in, and it was his personal experience that led him to the idea of creating a space where people in similar situations would not have to be left alone.

The server aims not only to offer a friendly and safe environment for the queer community from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but also to open a dialogue towards the heterosexual majority. The ambition is to break down prejudices, to explain and connect worlds that often pass each other by. In the future, Dominik plans to expand the project beyond the online environment - for example, through joint events or participation in Prague Pride.

The idea came about at a time when I was looking for myself. I had no one to turn to, I was on my own. I was scared to tell anyone, and even though my mom is cool and took it, I didn't want to tell her for a long time. Then later, when I found myself and started to feel confident about my orientation, I thought of making a space for people who are going through something similar or who are looking for people who are similar to them and with whom they can pull together in this.

When you look at the current online scene, in what ways do you think similar safe spaces for queer people are still lacking or insufficient?

For me, psychological support is still pretty lacking in particular. A lot of young queer people struggle with their identity, whether it's at home, at school, or later at work. Even coming out is a difficult process and it would be great if there were more support groups for queer people who often really need help but don't know where to turn.

How does the site work in practice today - who is creating it, what kind of community is starting to form around it, and what do people most often look for on it?

The server is currently at a stage where a lot of people are looking for a friend, someone to write with. It's mostly a queer community from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but there are also a few straight people. Mostly, as mentioned, people are looking for friends, someone who understands them, and looking for a nice community.

You mention the emphasis on a safe environment. How do you specifically handle moderation and setting rules so that people actually feel comfortable there?

The server has clearly stated rules that are meant to protect everyone. The rules are enforced by our team of moderators and admins who, in my opinion, do a great job. In addition, the server is protected by automated applications (bots) that ensure no one is spamming the server. And to avoid people who might cause problems, we have a questionnaire with a few questions before entering the server to find out what kind of people and where they come to us from.

Are you already experiencing any challenges or conflicts that are typical of communities like this?

Of course we do. Even as a small server, we encounter trolls who just want to cause trouble on the server, but they usually don't even get through our logins. Unfortunately, there are also people who would like to delete the whole server, but we are secure against them and do our best to keep the community safe.

Sources: Adobe Stock/ Se svolením

In addition to supporting queer people, you also want to reach out to a heterosexual audience. How are you trying to break down prejudices and open up dialogue between these groups?

The server is not only open to queer people, but also to straight people. We would like straight people to get to know the queer community more for what it is. I occasionally encounter straight people who call me out for being gay. And then I often wonder what's going on in their heads. I talk to some of them about their views and try to prove to them that the queer community is full of nice people too, even though it's often quite difficult to convince them. We would like to expand the server further not only among the queer community, but also among straight people, so that they too can get to know the community and maybe change their minds.

Have you gotten feedback from the first members yet - what does the server give them and why did they choose to be a part of it?

I have already received feedback as well. Be it about the functioning, moderation or the look and feel. People often come here because they are interested in the server on other sites, and they either stay or they don't. For some it gives a sense of security, for others a chance to get to know others - but I hope that everyone will find their own thing here and find something to like about the server.

You also mention plans for offline activities, for example, joint participation in Prague Pride. How important is it for you to move from the online space to the real world?

I also see offline activities as an important part for the server. As a smaller server, there is not much interest in these events, but when we get bigger, I hope that someone will get up the courage thanks to us, decide to come with us to such events and maybe then they won't be afraid to be more themselves. At the same time, a lot of things can't be done in the online space either, so it's nice to take a trip out sometimes, where you definitely get memories for the future.

What other activities or formats would you like to develop in the future if the community continues to grow?

Definitely, besides movie nights or competitions, we would like to organize events like picnics where we get together in a nice place, have a meal together and let go of the worries we might have about work or school. At the same time, I'd like to do support meetings where we would talk about things like "mental health of queer people" or "coming out".

And when you look at the project in hindsight - what do you think it should ideally look like in a year or two to fulfill what you envisioned at the beginning?

If I were to imagine the project in a year or two, I would be very happy to see more people getting involved in different activities. I'd like to see more awareness of the server and everyone to be able to find their own thing here. I would definitely like to see more people willing to help us with events, organizing them or helping with security. And last but not least, I would like young people to stop being afraid of coming out, find friends here and maybe even inspire someone to start a project like this.