Trans people and SOFFAs (significant others, friends, families and allies) are all too frequently subject to others' judgements, projections, assumptions, and worse.

FORGE therefore seeks to provide a safe haven where people's identities, needs, and beliefs are not questioned, devalued, or disrespected.

Participants in FORGE events are therefore expected to:

• Be true to themselves and their own convictions.
  

• Stay open-minded and flexible to allow for and honor individual difference and diversity.
  

• Respect and support others' identities and choices, including their decisions to express their gender in whatever ways are comfortable.
  

• Remember that individuals' identities and external appearances may not "match," and that at FORGE, identities are more important than appearances.
  

• Recognize that SOFFAs face the same sorts of prejudices, dilemmas, and challenges that their trans loved ones do, and deserve an equal measure of respect and support.
  

• Listen carefully to others.  Questions or alternative viewpoints should be phrased carefully to acknowledge that what works for one may not work for others. 
  

• Avoid stereotyping.
  

• Agree to disagree when necessary.
  

• Be considerate of others' privacy.  Think before speaking so you don't accidentally out someone or cause an embarrassing situation.