We party. We dance. We connect in toilets or darkrooms. But when the lights come on, or the never-ending chill finally ends, we inevitably, and often, return home alone.

– alone with our thoughts; our fears and desires, our regrets and hopes, our wounds and shame, our memories and triumphs.

yap! aims to create a space for queer people and close allies who rave, go clubbing, work in nightlife, partake in chills / sex parties – you know, Berlin things – and who may use drugs for all or any of the above. A space to share, to listen, and to connect outside of the party.

No judgment. No shame. Simply community, care, and compassion.

As in our community, it does not seem these spaces adequately exist – at least outside of these moments of hedonism in the queer party culture.

This is an experiment in accountability, community, and care.

If you’ve ever felt alone after a long weekend, if you’ve ever craved a deeper connection beyond the party, this space is for you.

• A sober, structured, confidential space where peers share, listen, and connect
• Not a recovery or therapy group
• Not a dogmatic or prescriptive program

What does that all mean in practice?

we are partaking in a peer-led support space where we can talk openly about our experiences – substance use, pleasure, shame, loneliness, sex, identity, and the complexities of queer party culture. this is a place to rework our relationship to ourselves, to our personal sense of autonomy and accountability, as well as our relationship to others. No stigma, no preaching – simply a shared or cultivated understanding for each other’s experiences and feelings.

• meetings will take place every tuesday for 2 hours (location confirmed after joining)
• we ask new members to fill out an intake survey and conduct a quick intro session with a host
• anyone can share, but no one has to
• we listen with respect – no interruptions, no unsolicited advice
• everything shared stays confidential
• no hierarchy, no authority – just (qu/p)eers supporting (qu/p)eers

Healing within the same social circles and environments that have shaped us is complicated.

This space exists because we deserve a community that doesn’t just exist under flashing lights, designer clothes or sex toys – but also in reflection, accountability, and care for one another.

many of us use substances or sex to connect, escape, or cope. Many of us come to the rave and nightlife spaces to meet people who look like us, who understand us, and who love us.

But when the music stops, the high fades, and the world slows down, we’re often left alone. Shame, loneliness, and self-doubt can creep in. And without a space and others to process those emotions, they can spiral into anxiety, depression, or even suicidal ideation.

This is where peer-to-peer groups can make all the difference.

Unlike therapy or clinical interventions, peer-to-peer groups offer something unique: connection without hierarchy.

There are no professionals diagnosing or prescribing solutions – just people with shared experiences, intentionally holding space for each other.

If this resonates with you, join us.

Group meetings create a sense of belonging by offering space for honesty and vulnerability. Many of us have felt the need for that kind of space within queer party culture – a space where we don’t have to explain or justify ourselves, where our experiences are understood and accepted without stigma.

Human connection is one of the most powerful tools for healing. When we feel seen, heard, and understood, it becomes easier to carry the weight of our struggles and doubts. But in queer spaces – especially within the party and hookup culture – it’s easy to feel isolated, even in a crowded room or city.

Some of us have witnessed or experienced the power of AA/NA meetings – not just for recovery, but for providing a space where people feel safe to talk openly and less alone. Peer support groups work in a similar way, but without the rigid structure of 12-step programs. There’s no requirement to quit substances, no pressure to fix anything – just a space to talk, listen, and be real.

Depression thrives in silence. Anxiety grows in isolation. Suicidal thoughts feel heavier when we think no one understands. But in a peer group, we remind each other that we’re not alone, our feelings are valid, our experiences matter and we belong.