{"id":4418,"date":"2026-09-20T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/?page_id=4418"},"modified":"2026-09-20T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T09:00:00","slug":"safety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety at a swap"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"bsw-hero bsw-hero-lg has-art\" data-bsw-hero style=\"--bsw-shade:0.72\"><div class=\"bsw-hero-media\"><svg class=\"bsw-art bsw-art-door\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 420\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path class=\"l\" style=\"stroke-width:1.8\" d=\"M240 386 V96 H400 V386\"\/><path class=\"l fb\" d=\"M240 96 L176 128 V404 L240 386 Z\"\/><path class=\"fr\" style=\"stroke:none\" d=\"M240 386 H400 L520 414 H150 Z\"\/><path class=\"h\" d=\"M150 414 H560\"\/><rect class=\"r\" x=\"286\" y=\"52\" width=\"68\" height=\"26\" rx=\"4\"\/><path class=\"r\" d=\"M300 65 h24 m-8 -6 l8 6 -8 6\"\/><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"bsw-hero-glow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div><div class=\"bsw-wrap bsw-hero-grid\"><div class=\"bsw-hero-copy\"><p class=\"bsw-eyebrow bsw-in bsw-in-1\">Safety<\/p><h1 class=\"bsw-h1 bsw-in bsw-in-2\"><span class=\"bsw-h1-claim\">No photos. No questions. No one at the door.<\/span> <em class=\"bsw-turn\">You can leave any time, by any exit.<\/em><\/h1><span class=\"bsw-rule bsw-in bsw-in-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><div class=\"bsw-hero-lede bsw-in bsw-in-3\"><p>A Bloom Swap is set up so you can come in, find clothes that fit who you are, and go, without being recorded, questioned or checked. These are the rules every volunteer and every host agrees to, and what to do if something feels wrong.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"bsw-actions bsw-in bsw-in-4\"><a class=\"bsw-btn bsw-btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/upcoming\/\" data-bsw-magnet><span>Upcoming swaps<\/span><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-arrow\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M5 12h13\"\/><path d=\"m13 6 6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"bsw-rail\" role=\"list\" aria-label=\"At every Bloom Swap\"><span class=\"bsw-rail-bar\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><span class=\"bsw-rail-end bsw-rail-end-l\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><span class=\"bsw-rail-end bsw-rail-end-r\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><div class=\"bsw-tag bsw-tag-1\" role=\"listitem\" style=\"--i:0\"><span class=\"bsw-tag-string\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><span class=\"bsw-tag-card\"><span class=\"bsw-tag-hole\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><span class=\"bsw-tag-t\">No photos<\/span><\/span><\/div><div class=\"bsw-tag bsw-tag-2\" role=\"listitem\" style=\"--i:1\"><span class=\"bsw-tag-string\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><span class=\"bsw-tag-card\"><span class=\"bsw-tag-hole\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><span class=\"bsw-tag-t\">No ID<\/span><\/span><\/div><div class=\"bsw-tag bsw-tag-3\" role=\"listitem\" style=\"--i:2\"><span class=\"bsw-tag-string\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><span class=\"bsw-tag-card\"><span class=\"bsw-tag-hole\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><span class=\"bsw-tag-t\">No intake<\/span><\/span><\/div><div class=\"bsw-tag bsw-tag-4\" role=\"listitem\" style=\"--i:3\"><span class=\"bsw-tag-string\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><span class=\"bsw-tag-card\"><span class=\"bsw-tag-hole\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><span class=\"bsw-tag-t\">Leave any time<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bsw-sec bsw-g-stone\"><div class=\"bsw-wrap\"><header class=\"bsw-head bsw-rv\"><p class=\"bsw-eyebrow\">The rules<\/p><h2 class=\"bsw-h2\">A safe clothing swap for trans and nonbinary guests.<\/h2><p class=\"bsw-head-lede\">These are not good intentions. Volunteers sign them, hosts agree to them for the two days, and they do not bend for anyone.<\/p><\/header>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>No photographs of guests, ever, by anyone.<\/strong> Not by volunteers, not by the host, not for Bloom\u2019s own use. No picture Bloom publishes of a swap shows a guest.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No intake that identifies you.<\/strong> No name, no ID, no address, no sign-in. Bloom keeps a ledger of clothes in and out, and it holds nothing about who took them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Nobody asks why you are here.<\/strong> Not at the entrance, not at the racks, not on the way out.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Name tags with pronouns, on volunteers only.<\/strong> You always know how to address the people running the swap. Nobody asks for your name or your pronouns.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A designated volunteer.<\/strong> At every swap, one volunteer is named as the one to go to if something is wrong. The greeter can point them out.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Every exit is yours.<\/strong> You can leave at any moment, by any door, with or without a bag, without telling anyone.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bsw-sec bsw-g-parchment bsw-light\"><div class=\"bsw-wrap\"><header class=\"bsw-head bsw-rv\"><p class=\"bsw-eyebrow\">The host<\/p><h2 class=\"bsw-h2\">How a host venue is chosen.<\/h2><p class=\"bsw-head-lede\">A host lends the room. Bloom sets the rules for the two days, and the host agrees to them before a date is set.<\/p><\/header>\n<p>Before any swap is announced, the host has read the playbook and agreed to its conduct rules: no photographs of guests, no questions of guests, no comments on bodies or choices, nobody turned away, nothing charged. The host\u2019s own people who work the swap follow the same rules as Bloom\u2019s volunteers. A host that will not agree to them does not host.<\/p>\n<p>Bloom runs the room on the day. The building\u2019s own rules still apply, like which doors are open and where the fire exits are, and the greeter can tell you both.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"bsw-honest bsw-rv\" aria-labelledby=\"bsw-honest-0670a7075ac1f7492ad341e5ebb73fbd\"><p class=\"bsw-eyebrow\">Where we honestly stand<\/p><h2 class=\"bsw-h2\" id=\"bsw-honest-0670a7075ac1f7492ad341e5ebb73fbd\">What Bloom cannot promise.<\/h2><div class=\"bsw-honest-b\"><p>A swap is open to anyone who walks in, and that is the point. It also means Bloom cannot promise who else will be in the room. What Bloom can promise is how the people running it behave, and what happens when someone else does not: they are asked to stop, and asked to leave if they will not.<\/p><\/div><p class=\"bsw-stamp\">Written September 2026 \u00b7 figures update from records<\/p><\/aside><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bsw-sec bsw-g-ink\"><div class=\"bsw-wrap\"><header class=\"bsw-head bsw-rv\"><p class=\"bsw-eyebrow\">What to do<\/p><h2 class=\"bsw-h2\">If something feels wrong at a swap.<\/h2><p class=\"bsw-head-lede\">You do not need to be sure, and you do not need a reason anyone else would accept.<\/p><\/header><ol class=\"bsw-steps bsw-steps-flow bsw-rv\" style=\"--n:3\"><li class=\"bsw-step bsw-d1\"><span class=\"bsw-step-n\" aria-hidden=\"true\">01<\/span><h3 class=\"bsw-step-t\">Find the greeter or the designated volunteer<\/h3><div class=\"bsw-step-b\"><p>Say as much or as little as you want. They will deal with it, away from you if you prefer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li class=\"bsw-step bsw-d2\"><span class=\"bsw-step-n\" aria-hidden=\"true\">02<\/span><h3 class=\"bsw-step-t\">Or leave<\/h3><div class=\"bsw-step-b\"><p>Leaving is always allowed. You do not owe anyone an explanation, and what you chose goes with you.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li class=\"bsw-step bsw-d3\"><span class=\"bsw-step-n\" aria-hidden=\"true\">03<\/span><h3 class=\"bsw-step-t\">Tell Bloom afterwards<\/h3><div class=\"bsw-step-b\"><p>If you want Bloom to know, write through <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/need-clothes-now\/\">the private request form<\/a>. It asks for the safest way to reach you, and a person replies within one business day.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bsw-sec bsw-g-stone\"><div class=\"bsw-wrap\"><header class=\"bsw-head bsw-rv\"><p class=\"bsw-eyebrow\">Crisis and reporting<\/p><h2 class=\"bsw-h2\">If you or someone else is in danger.<\/h2><p class=\"bsw-head-lede\">Clothes can always wait. If anyone is not safe, use these first.<\/p><\/header><div class=\"bsw-crisis bsw-rv\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Crisis lines\"><p class=\"bsw-crisis-k\">If you are in danger right now<\/p><ul class=\"bsw-crisis-list\"><li><a href=\"tel:988\" data-bsw-tel><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-phone\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.6 3.5h2.6l1.4 4.1-2 1.3a11 11 0 0 0 6.5 6.5l1.3-2 4.1 1.4v2.6a2 2 0 0 1-2.2 2A16.5 16.5 0 0 1 4.6 5.7a2 2 0 0 1 2-2.2z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"bsw-crisis-n\">Call or text 988<\/span><span class=\"bsw-crisis-d\">Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline<\/span><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"tel:+18775658860\" data-bsw-tel><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-phone\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.6 3.5h2.6l1.4 4.1-2 1.3a11 11 0 0 0 6.5 6.5l1.3-2 4.1 1.4v2.6a2 2 0 0 1-2.2 2A16.5 16.5 0 0 1 4.6 5.7a2 2 0 0 1 2-2.2z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"bsw-crisis-n\">Trans Lifeline<\/span><span class=\"bsw-crisis-d\">877-565-8860<\/span><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"tel:+18664887386\" data-bsw-tel><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-phone\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.6 3.5h2.6l1.4 4.1-2 1.3a11 11 0 0 0 6.5 6.5l1.3-2 4.1 1.4v2.6a2 2 0 0 1-2.2 2A16.5 16.5 0 0 1 4.6 5.7a2 2 0 0 1 2-2.2z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"bsw-crisis-n\">The Trevor Project<\/span><span class=\"bsw-crisis-d\">1-866-488-7386<\/span><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"tel:+18555037233\" data-bsw-tel><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-phone\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.6 3.5h2.6l1.4 4.1-2 1.3a11 11 0 0 0 6.5 6.5l1.3-2 4.1 1.4v2.6a2 2 0 0 1-2.2 2A16.5 16.5 0 0 1 4.6 5.7a2 2 0 0 1 2-2.2z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"bsw-crisis-n\">Oregon Child Abuse Hotline<\/span><span class=\"bsw-crisis-d\">855-503-SAFE (7233)<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"bsw-crisis-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/crisis-support\/\">Bloom\u2019s crisis support<\/a> is free, and a person replies within one business day. Clergy and Bloom staff are mandatory reporters under ORS 419B.010.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Oregon Child Abuse Hotline: <\/strong><a href=\"tel:+18555037233\">855-503-SAFE (855-503-7233)<\/a>. The number is in the footer of every page on this site. Clergy are mandatory reporters under ORS 419B.010, and Bloom honours that duty.<\/p>\n<p>For any other crisis, <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/crisis-support\/\">Bloom\u2019s crisis support<\/a> is free, and a person replies within one business day.<\/p><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bsw-sec bsw-g-parchment bsw-light\"><div class=\"bsw-wrap\"><div class=\"bsw-faq\"><header class=\"bsw-faq-head bsw-rv\"><p class=\"bsw-eyebrow\">FAQ<\/p><h2 class=\"bsw-h2\">Safety questions<\/h2><p class=\"bsw-faq-more\">Still asking? Write to <a href=\"mailto:swap@bloomministries.org\">swap@bloomministries.org<\/a> and a person answers.<\/p><\/header><div class=\"bsw-faq-list bsw-rv\"><details class=\"bsw-q\" data-bsw-q><summary><span class=\"bsw-q-t\">Will anyone take my photo?<\/span><span class=\"bsw-q-mark\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/summary><div class=\"bsw-q-a\"><p>No. No one photographs guests at a Bloom Swap, and no photograph of a guest exists for Bloom to publish. If you see someone photographing guests, tell the greeter, and it is stopped. <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/first-time\/\">Your first swap<\/a> has more on the day itself.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"bsw-q\" data-bsw-q><summary><span class=\"bsw-q-t\">Does Bloom keep any record that I came?<\/span><span class=\"bsw-q-mark\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/summary><div class=\"bsw-q-a\"><p>No. There is no sign-in, no ID check and no intake that identifies you. Bloom keeps a ledger of clothes that go out to a swap, counted by category, and nothing about who took them. <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/where-the-clothes-go\/\">Where the clothes go<\/a> explains the ledger.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"bsw-q\" data-bsw-q><summary><span class=\"bsw-q-t\">Can someone be turned away?<\/span><span class=\"bsw-q-mark\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/summary><div class=\"bsw-q-a\"><p>Hosts agree never to turn anyone away. The only reason anyone is asked to leave is breaking the rules on this page, whoever they are. <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/how-it-works\/\">How a swap works<\/a> describes the day for everyone.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"bsw-q\" data-bsw-q><summary><span class=\"bsw-q-t\">What if I recognise someone?<\/span><span class=\"bsw-q-mark\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/summary><div class=\"bsw-q-a\"><p>Nobody at a swap is asked why they came, and nobody should be. Bloom asks every guest for the same courtesy the volunteers have agreed to: let people be. <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/accessibility\/\">Accessibility at a swap<\/a> covers the quiet corner, if you need a moment.<\/p><\/div><\/details><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bsw-sec bsw-g-stone\"><div class=\"bsw-wrap\"><div class=\"bsw-related\"><header class=\"bsw-related-head bsw-rv\"><p class=\"bsw-eyebrow\">Keep going<\/p><h2 class=\"bsw-h2 bsw-related-h\">Where to go from here.<\/h2><\/header><div class=\"bsw-related-grid bsw-rv\"><a class=\"bsw-rel bsw-d1\" href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/first-time\/\"><span class=\"bsw-rel-k\">Next<\/span><span class=\"bsw-rel-t\">Your first swap<\/span><span class=\"bsw-rel-r\">Nervous about going? What happens from the door to the way out, and how to leave at any moment.<\/span><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-arrow\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M5 12h13\"\/><path d=\"m13 6 6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/a><a class=\"bsw-rel bsw-d2\" href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/accessibility\/\"><span class=\"bsw-rel-k\">Next<\/span><span class=\"bsw-rel-t\">Accessibility<\/span><span class=\"bsw-rel-r\">What every swap provides for access, what varies by venue, and how to ask before you set out.<\/span><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-arrow\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M5 12h13\"\/><path d=\"m13 6 6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/a><a class=\"bsw-rel bsw-d3\" href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/need-clothes-now\/\"><span class=\"bsw-rel-k\">Next<\/span><span class=\"bsw-rel-t\">If you cannot wait<\/span><span class=\"bsw-rel-r\">Need clothes before the next swap? Tell a person, privately, and hear back within one business day.<\/span><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-arrow\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M5 12h13\"\/><path d=\"m13 6 6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bsw-sec bsw-close bsw-g-ink\" data-bsw-close><span class=\"bsw-close-rail\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><div class=\"bsw-wrap bsw-close-in bsw-rv\"><p class=\"bsw-eyebrow\">When you are ready<\/p><h2 class=\"bsw-h2 bsw-close-h\">The same rules at every swap.<\/h2><div class=\"bsw-close-lead\"><p>The rules on this page travel with every Bloom Swap, whoever hosts it. The board shows the next one.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"bsw-actions bsw-actions-center\"><a class=\"bsw-btn bsw-btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/upcoming\/\" data-bsw-magnet><span>Upcoming swaps<\/span><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-arrow\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M5 12h13\"\/><path d=\"m13 6 6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/a><a class=\"bsw-btn bsw-btn-ghost\" href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/first-time\/\"><span>Your first swap<\/span><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-arrow\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M5 12h13\"\/><path d=\"m13 6 6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/div><p class=\"bsw-exit\"><svg class=\"bsw-ico bsw-ico-exit\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M14 4h4.5A1.5 1.5 0 0 1 20 5.5v13a1.5 1.5 0 0 1-1.5 1.5H14\"\/><path d=\"M10 16.5 5.5 12 10 7.5M5.5 12H16\"\/><\/svg><span>In danger right now?<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/crisis-support\/\">Bloom\u2019s crisis support is free, and a person answers<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":18,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4418","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4418"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4418\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomministries.org\/swap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}