Health and Safety

COVID-19

The Something Queer Music and Arts Collective Board of Directors feels that prioritizing the health and safety of our community is critical. We have been very careful to navigate COVID by first requiring vaccinations and tests, to then requiring just vaccinations. Given that we are in a much different world today than when we were together at our first gathering in 2021, our board has decided to have our policy reflect our current situation with the expectation that things might change (so, please make sure to check for any updated requirements). Importantly, we know that new government mandates might require us to change our policies. Here are our notes about the event:

  1. We recommend (but not require) that everyone be fully vaccinated and boosted from COVID-19. We hope that you will protect yourself in the manner that’s most appropriate for you.
  2. Please test yourself prior to attending. We ask that you just take a quick at-home test before you attend the gathering. If you are sick or are feeling ill, please don’t attend. You can add cancellation insurance to your ticket (through our ticket vendor) and we highly recommend that you add this!
  3. We have a lot of space to spread out! The event is held on a 260-acre retreat center with a ton of outdoor space. We will have parties and events both indoors and outdoors, meals can be eaten outdoors, and you can decide to camp to prevent staying in the same space with others.
  4. Masking for Indoor Spaces? This is your choice. We are not requiring masks; however, we are a shame free event, so if you feel more comfortable with masking, you are absolutely welcome to do so!
  5. Process for on-site illness. We will have a wellness cabin setup on site. If you feel like you are having any symptoms of COVID-19, we ask that you stop by and obtain a rapid test. 
  6. Monitor yourself for the week following the gathering. We ask that you please keep a low profile the week following the gathering. Monitor yourself. If you feel symptoms and/or have a positive test, please tell your friends and also notify us at [email protected]. 

You should assess your tolerance for risk and make choices that you are comfortable with. The reality of this event is that there will be opportunity for close gathering and for distance, depending on your choice. Some activities will be indoors (with the option to be outdoors) and others will be entirely outdoors. There is a ton of space to spread out, if you like. We recognize that we are all in a very different place this year than last year and that we are moving closer to an endemic stage of this pandemic. Therefore, we want to recognize the steps we are taking to balance event safety with an opportunity to gather as a community.

MPox

MPox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that surged among the LGBTQ+ community (among others) in mid-to-late 2022. While the World Health Organization has officially removed the “Health Emergency” declaration, we should continue to be vigilant. Many individuals were able to obtain a 2-series vaccination against MPox in 2022. If you did not obtain a vaccination and would like to, we recommend checking out this website (https://mpoxvaxmap.org/) to locate a vaccine clinic. The California Department of Health also posts information about free vaccination clinics in California. Please note that the two-part series takes about a month to complete, so please plan accordingly. If you do experience any of the following symptoms of MPox, we ask that you stay home:

  • People with mpox often get a rash that may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals, including penis, testicles, labia, and vagina, and anus.  The incubation period is 3-17 days. During this time, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine.
  • The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
  • The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

Event Health, Safety, and Harm Reduction

Something Queer is a firm believer in harm reduction. Throughout our weekend, we will engage in activities and discussions centered around harm reduction. That said, here are a few items that we would like to call to your attention:

  1. Fentanyl and Opioid overdoes are real. Many street drugs (Cocaine, Ecstasy/Molly, Ketamine, etc.) have become adulterated with opioids, causing overdoses among those who don’t use opioids. Therefore, we ask that you (a) test any substance that you are going to use with Fentanyl Test Strips and for other adulterants and (b) keep Narcan with you. Need Narcan? Check out one of our favorite non-profits, End Overdose. You can complete an online training and receive a free dose of Narcan. They also sell Fentanyl test strips. Our friends at DanceSafe also have test kits for purchase. We have an onsite harm reduction crew during the gathering.
  2. Consent is required for all sexual activities (and really, for any touch). You and your partner must engage in an active process of consent before engaging in sexual activity. We will have workshops around how to do this and what consent means for our queer community.
  3. Understand your own sexual health and engage in open communication with others about that. Some individuals might want to engage in sex with a barrier, others may not. Communicate about your limitations and needs. It doesn’t hurt to get a sexual health checkup prior to the event, if you are thinking of engaging in sexual activity at the event. As a shame-free and inclusive event, we promote all forms of sexual expression and statuses.
  4. Our weather at the event can vary significantly, please remember to plan for warm or hot weather (bring a water bottle to refill) along with cool or colder weather. Heck, it might even rain (you never know!).
  5. If you need something at the event, are having a difficult experience, or just want to talk, find any of the event staff (wearing a radio) and let them know. You can also approach one of our medical team members along with our harm reduction members or the vibe check crew in the evenings.

Have questions or want to chat with one of us, just e-mail [email protected] or find us on Facebook Messenger as @somethingqueerSF.

Updated December 2023