Learn the ins and outs of SQSH.

We are happy to answer your questions about SQSH. If you have questions after reading our FAQ, please email the relevant Team Facilitator after viewing Our Team or fill out a general contact form. We'll be in touch!

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Our Organization Our Helpline The SQSHBook Miscellaneous Contact Us

Our Organization

What does the name SQSH mean?

"SQSH" stands for St. Louis Queer+ Support Helpline. The acronym is pronounced as "squish", a reference to both the aromatic/asexual term for queer-platonic relationships and the feeling of being wrapped in a hug.

We acknowledge that the word “queer” can be a pejorative term for many members of our community, especially older adults, and is a term with a history of hatred and pain. We commonly refer to our resource as “the Helpline” instead, and welcome you to use whichever term you prefer.

What does SQSH do?

We are a community-based non-profit organization focused on creating opportunities and spaces for St. Louis LGBTQIA+ individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Our Helpline provides free, confidential, and identity-affirming emotional support and resource referrals for LGBTQIA+ individuals, friends, family members, allies, or service providers. Our trained Helpline Volunteers provide short-term peer counseling over-the-phone when you call in.

Is SQSH mindful of the needs of QTPOC (Queer and Trans People of Color)?

We know that the members of our community who face the most marginalization and least support are those of us holding multiple oppressed identities.

We aim to be an intersectional resource; our volunteers strive to affirm, recognize and uplift all members of our community, especially queer and trans people of color (QTPOC), low-income, disabled, intersex, asexual/aromantic, non-binary folx and others who don't usually feel seen. Our logo intentionally includes not only rainbow colors, but also the colors of the trans flag (light blue, pink, white), and the colors of the QPOC-inclusive Pride Flag (brown, black).

We always have a long way to go to undo internalized oppression. If you have any feedback about the inclusiveness or effectiveness of our Helpline, we are always open to hearing it via our General Contact Form.

How is SQSH funded?

We started this project in 2019 using an initial $5,000 Civic Scholars grant from Washington University's Gephardt Institute for Civic & Community Engagement. In our first year, we were sustained by the following major funding streams: a $2,500 Mini Grant from the St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission, $1,900 from our Facebook Fundraiser, and $400 from our 2019 Benefit Show by C U Next Tuesday.

Moving forward, we hope to sustain this project through local donations, fundraisers, grants, and awards. We spend our funds on training, rent, technology, volunteer support, insurance, and PR. We aim to publish annual financial reports to be fully transparent with how we obtain funding and spend our money.

If you value the work we do, please consider a donation to keep SQSH going. Any amount is welcome and equally appreciated.

Donate

Where is SQSH located?

SQSH is housed at a confidential location in order to protect the safety and privacy of our volunteers and callers. We thank you for understanding our unique needs as a LGBTQIA-specific helpline. Please email our Treasurer if you would like to drop off a check or in-kind donation.

How can I get more involved with SQSH as a volunteer, intern, donor, or community partner?

We welcome all individuals seeking to get involved with our organization! Please check out the links below to learn more.

Volunteer or Intern Donate Partner

I'm with the media. How can I get in contact with SQSH?

Since its founding in 2019, SQSH has been represented in the media by STL Mag and Fox 2 St. Louis. If you are interested in giving SQSH a media appearance, please fill out this form and our Media Advisor will be in touch.

What if I have a general inquiry?

Please fill out this general contact form. Our Social Media Facilitator will be in touch!

Our Helpline

What is the Helpline number?

Local number: 314-380-7774
Toll-free number: 844-785-7774

What are the Helpline hours?

We have volunteers taking helpline calls on Friday to Monday from 1:00-7:00PM.

If I don’t identify as LGBTQIA+ or queer, can I still call?

Yes! Anyone of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression can call to receive identity-affirming peer support. Friends, family members, allies, and service providers are also welcome to call about LGBTQIA+ issues and/or how they can best support the LGBTQIA+ people in their lives.

When I call, what should I expect?

You will hear a voice message with an option to connect with a SQSH volunteer or to the 24/7 BHR crisis hotline. For LGBTQIA-affirming peer support, choose to connect with a SQSH volunteer.
Start of the Call: The SQSH volunteer will introduce themself and the Helpline. They will also ask if you are in a safe place to talk.
During the Call: The SQSH volunteer will then ask you what you would like to talk about. Share as much or as little as you'd like—they are here to listen.
After the call: We may ask you to fill out a brief, anonymous online survey about your call experience. Participation in the survey is strictly optional, but we welcome your feedback to improve our Helpline.

Who will I speak with?

SQSH volunteers are St. Louis area community members. Each Helpline Volunteer receives 48+ hours of training focused on peer counseling, LGBTQIA+ cultural humility, anti-racism, and relationship and sexual violence survivor support. SQSH volunteers are not licensed mental health professionals. Read more about our Helpline Curriculum.

What is peer support?

By peer support, we mean the identity-affirming, relational support that only peers who share similar experiences or identities are able to provide. The source of support is a peer, a person who is similar in fundamental ways to the recipient of the support; their relationship is one of equality. A peer is in a position to offer support by virtue of relevant experience: they have "been there, done that" and can relate to others who are in a similar situation.

I have phone anxiety. Can I still call?

Absolutely! We understand that it can be difficult to share about your life with a stranger over the phone. Our Helpline Volunteers fully appreciate the mental effort it takes to pick up the phone and call, and will cherish any amount of time they get to speak with you. We welcome you to share as much or as little as you'd like when you call.

Can I call SQSH more than once?

Absolutely! While we are not a long-term professional mental healthcare service, our Helpline Volunteers would be happy to chat with you any number of times. Since we do not keep ongoing case notes, please do not expect the Helpline Volunteer to have knowledge of your previous conversation(s) when you call.

What should I do if I know someone working on the Helpline and I don’t want to talk to them?

There will usually be at least two Helpline Volunteers on call at the same time. If you call and know the volunteer who answers, you can always ask to talk to the other volunteer on shift. We prioritize your comfort level and would be happy to make the switch.

The Helpline is currently offline. Where can I find more resources?

We are sorry we are offline and unable to take your call! You are welcome to leave a voicemail so that a SQSH volunteer can call you back during our operating hours. If you would like to speak with someone immediately, we recommend the local and national hotlines listed under External Resources.

I called and was connected with a volunteer at STL Mutual Aid. Why?

STL Mutual Aid is one of our partner organizations that works to provide food, supplies, and emotional support amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We shared our phone line with STL Mutual Aid from March to June 2020. Please call again and follow the prompts to reach a SQSH Helpline Volunteer.

The SQSHBook

What is the SQSHBook?

The SQSHBook is a curated database of LGBTQIA-affirming resources throughout the St. Louis region, including housing, food, healthcare, support groups, social events, and more. Our SQSHBook Team is working hard to bring the SQSHBook to you in 2021! Visit the Resources page to learn more.

When can I use the SQSHBook?

We are currently working on sorting over 1000+ LGBTQIA-friendly resources within our database. We do not currently have a projected publish date. However, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or our Newsletter to keep up-to-date with announcements about our SQSHBook project.

How can I get more involved with the SQSHBook?

We welcome all individuals seeking to get involved with our organization! SQSHBook Editors work with the SQSHBook Coordinator to organize the SQSHBook resource spreadsheet, fact-check resource information to keep the SQSHBook updated, and incorporate community feedback and input into the database. If this interests you, take a look at our Volunteer openings!

Miscellaneous

What does LGBTQIA+ mean?

LGBTQIA stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual/biromantic, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/aromantic. The plus (‘+’) includes the plethora of other sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions that are not currently captured by the LGBTQIA acronym.

What does Queer+ mean?

We use Queer+ as an umbrella term to describe sexual and gender identities other than heterosexual and cisgender. Queer is sometimes used to express that sexuality and gender can be complicated, change over time, and might not fit neatly into either/or identities, like male or female, gay or straight.

However, we acknowledge that the word “queer” can be a pejorative term for many members of our community, and is a term with a history of hatred and pain. So, we welcome our community members to use whichever term you prefer.

Who made your website?

The SQSH website was created by Edwin (he/him) and Bread (they/them) with help from the entire SQSHWeb Team, including Lisa (she/they) and Luka (they/them).

I have a question, comment, or concern about your website. How can I contact you?

We are always looking to improve our website and welcome any feedback you have. Please email our SQSHWeb Team.

Have a question, suggestion, or desire to make a general connection? Get in touch!

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