We’ve had an incredible year — thanks to your support! — and we’re excited to step it up even more in 2016!

Right now, we’re looking at ways to make sure our RightRides service is reaching the people who need it the most. We’re building strong relationships with people and organizations across the city who work to meet the needs of LGBTQ and gender nonconforming people. Today, we’re holding a focus group with bar staff to find about their experiences with sexual harassment in all its forms — patron on patron, patron on staff, staff on staff — and we’re using their feedback to advocate for solutions to change DC’s bar culture to no longer tolerate sexual violence.

Here are some more highlights from an amazing year:

• YOU helped us launch the pilot phase of our Safe Bars program by training bar staffs at The Heights and Hank’s Oyster Bar — plus trainers in New York & Colorado.
• YOU supported our advocacy with WMATA, which led to a multiyear PSA campaign to end harassment on public transit — a campaign that will continue into 2016!
• YOU made it possible for us to give free, safe rides home to 67 people through RightRides DC  —  overcoming the safety tax for women and LGBTQGNC folks.
• YOU allowed us to train more than 50 community members to respond to harassment and be active bystanders if they see it happening to someone else!

Thank you for all you’ve done to help us make public spaces safe for all. Let’s keep up this momentum in 2016: Pledge to give on #GivingTuesday to get Safe Bars to the next level.