A New Safe Space for All: BQC Joins Bellingham’s New Safe Place™ Program

We’re grateful to see safer, more supportive resources expanding in our city. The City of Bellingham recently launched an important new initiative to protect community members who experience bias, harassment, or violence: the Safe Place™ Program.

We’re thrilled to share that The BQC Center is an approved Safe Place!

This program will make it easier for victims of hate crimes — including those targeting people based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and other personal characteristics — to connect with help right away. Safe Place™ is a partnership between the Bellingham Police Department and local businesses and organizations. Participating locations display a Safe Place™ decal in their window, signaling that if someone walks in after experiencing a hate-based incident, staff will offer a safe indoor place to wait and immediately call 911 on your behalf. The goal is to support individuals the moment they need help and to encourage timely reporting, so that investigations can begin quickly and effectively.

This program has roots in efforts to support victims of anti-LGBTQ+ crimes and bullying and has since expanded to cover all hate crimes. In launching Safe Place™, Bellingham is reaffirming that hate and intimidation have no place here — and that everyone deserves to feel secure, respected, and supported in our community.

If you’re out and about and see the Safe Place™ decal, know that you are in a space where staff are ready to help you stay safe and connect you with police assistance if needed. And for business owners or organizations interested in joining this effort, applications are open — participation is free, and training and materials are provided.

Together, we can build a Bellingham where all people — including our LGBTQ+ community — live free from fear, intimidation, and hate.  Learn more about the program on the City of Bellingham website here.