Last updated: 23/04/2026
Welcome to Growing Up Gay (growingup.gay). This page explains how we use the website and how we handle your privacy.
By using this website, you agree to the terms outlined below.
1. About this website
Growing Up Gay is a digital platform sharing empowering stories, supportive content, and relevant news through the lens of gay men, while recognising and respecting the diversity of the wider LGBTQIA+ community.
The site aims to provide an inclusive, empathetic space for exploring identity, connection, and lived experience.
2. Use of the website
You agree to use this website in a respectful and lawful way.
You must not:
- Post or share abusive, threatening, or harmful content
- Engage in hate speech, harassment, or discrimination of any kind
- Attempt to disrupt or misuse the website or its services
- Impersonate others or provide false information
We reserve the right to remove content or restrict access if these rules are violated.
3. Community standards
We are committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive space.
Hate speech, discrimination (including based on sexuality, gender identity, race, religion, disability, or any protected characteristic), harassment, or incitement of harm is not permitted.
We aim to foster a space grounded in empathy, respect, and understanding.
4. Content disclaimer
All content on this website is for informational and personal reading purposes only. It is not professional advice (including medical, legal, or mental health advice).
Opinions expressed in articles belong to individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Growing Up Gay as a whole.
5. Privacy and data
We respect your privacy and aim to be transparent about how data is used.
a) Information we collect
We do not collect personal information unless you choose to provide it (for example, by contacting us directly).
We may automatically collect limited data such as:
- Pages visited
- Time spent on the site
- Browser and device type
- General (non-precise) location
b) Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site and to improve content and performance.
Google Analytics may use cookies and collect anonymised usage data. We do not use this information to identify individual users.
You can learn more here: https://policies.google.com/privacy
c) Cookies
This website uses cookies to help improve functionality and analyse traffic.
You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but some features of the site may not work properly.
d) How we use data
We use collected data to:
- Improve website content and performance
- Understand audience engagement
- Maintain site functionality
We do not sell or share personal data for marketing purposes.
e) Your rights
Under UK data protection law, you have rights including:
- Access to your data
- Correction or deletion of your data
- Objection to certain processing
- Withdrawal of consent (where applicable)
To exercise these rights, contact us using the details below.
6. Data security
We take reasonable steps to protect data, but no online service is completely secure and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. External links
This website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites.
8. The .gay domain
Growing Up Gay uses a .gay domain, a verified top-level domain created to support LGBTQIA+ visibility and community online.
This domain signals an affirming space but does not change how data is collected or processed.
You can read about the .gay policies we follow here.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this page from time to time. Updates will be posted here with a revised “Last updated” date.
10. Contact
If you have any questions about these Terms or your privacy, contact:
hey@growingup.gay