Questions From the Porch & How to Reach Us
The Pride Porch is a cozy, community‑first space where queer adults can find connection without pressure, subscriptions, or ads. This FAQ walks you through how the Porch works, how we keep the space safe, and how you can make the most of being here. Whether you’re stepping onto the porch for the first time or already settling into your favorite rocking chair, this guide has what you need.
If you ever need us, we’re just a knock on the screen door away.
What is The Pride Porch?
The Pride Porch is a platonic LGBTQ+ friend-finding space built for genuine connection, cozy conversation, and community care — no dating, no swiping, no subscriptions.
Is The Porch free to use?
Yes! We believe friendship shouldn’t cost money. The Porch is completely free, with no ads or subscriptions.
Is The Porch safe?
We work hard to keep The Porch a safe and welcoming space. Our chat is moderated, and we actively block bots, spam, and harassment. We’re always improving our safety tools and community guidelines to protect everyone who gathers here.
If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe in the space, please reach out to us so we can address it. If someone threatens you or makes you fear for your immediate safety, contact your local authorities right away by calling your local emergency number or going to the nearest police station.
Do you accept donations?
Right now, we aren’t able to take direct donations. Accepting funds legally requires formal nonprofit registration and approval, and we’re not there yet. As The Pride Porch grows, becoming a registered nonprofit is absolutely on our roadmap so we can welcome donations in a way that’s transparent, ethical, and sustainable for our community.
In the meantime, your presence matters more than you know. Joining our group chat, showing up in The Porch Journal, and engaging with the space gives us the energy and encouragement to keep the porch light on for everyone who needs it.
Who is The Porch for?
The Porch is for LGBTQ+ adults seeking platonic connection — friends, chosen family, group chats, and safe spaces to be yourself. It’s not a dating app, and it’s not just for one identity or age group.
How do I join the chat?
You can join The Porch Chat by clicking the “The Porch” or “The Porch Chat” button at the top of the page. On mobile, you’ll find the same button in the menu dropdown. Both options take you to our chat space, which is hosted through Matrix.org.
When you tap the button, you’ll be directed either to Matrix.org or to Element, the chat app built on the Matrix network. You can log in through either one. If you don’t already have an account, just follow the prompts to create a Matrix or Element account.
On mobile devices, you’ll be asked to download the Element app after signing in. Once you’re logged in, you’ll be able to enter The Porch and start chatting with the community.
Can I delete my messages?
Yes — you can delete your own messages in The Porch Chat.
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On computer/web: Hover over your message and click the three dots that appear above it. Choose Delete from the menu.
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On mobile: Press and hold the message until a menu appears, then tap Delete.
From this same menu, you can also react with emojis, reply directly, forward a message, edit it, or copy it.
Will you add more features?
We’re always exploring new features to make The Pride Porch even better. Because we operate as a not‑for‑profit project, it can be challenging to find tools and add‑ons that are free or affordable. Many free options come with limitations The Porch also comes with real costs. Our web hosting is $14-28 per month, and to embed a chat directly into our page would cost another $28+ per month. Our domain is free for now but will renew at $23 per year. Even with our simple setup, the expenses add up quickly for one person trying to create something meaningful for our community.
Despite these challenges, we’re committed to growing The Porch at a sustainable pace and adding new features whenever possible. Every bit of support helps us keep building a safe, unique place for LGBTQ+ adults to make friends.