FAQs

  • Shane is your global platform for LGBTQIA+ safety, visibility, and connection. Whether you're trying to find a safe place to grab coffee, planning a trip, or walking home at night—Shane’s here to help you move through the world with more confidence and fewer question marks.

    We bring together crowd-sourced info and smart safety tools to make sure you always know where you'll be welcome, how to get there safely, and what to do if things go sideways.

    The Shane platform includes three core parts:

    Our platform has two parts:

    1. The Mobile App (launched July 2025):
    Your safety sidekick, now live on Apple and Google App Stores. Search, rate, and review places using filters like “Trans Friendly” and “LGBTQIA+ Led,” plan safer journeys with our navigation tools, and use features like live location sharing and emergency alerts when you need them most. Accounts help keep the experience secure and community-driven.

    2. The Web App (launched December 2024 – temporarily offline):
    Our original browser-based version. It offered core search and review tools, but we’ve temporarily disabled it while we focus on the full mobile experience.

    3. The Shane Console (coming soon):
    Our dedicated dashboard for businesses and organisations. Manage listings, renew Shane Certification, and access premium tools to reach and support LGBTQIA+ folks meaningfully.

    Shane is powered by all of us—so the more input you share, the better and safer it gets for everyone.

  • Shane is built for LGBTQIA+ folks and anyone who wants to move through the world with more confidence, safety, and ease. Whether you’re looking for a queer-friendly café, a trans-inclusive clinic, or a late-night spot that actually feels safe, Shane helps you find places that get you.

    Right now, you can:
    🔍 Search, rate, and review inclusive places, businesses and services
    📍 Save custom lists of your favorite places
    🚨 Use our emergency alert tool to share your live location in real-time
    📱 Enjoy an ad-free, user-powered experience with optional subscription perks

    And this is just the beginning — we’re already working on things like:
    🧭 Safe navigation
    ✈️ LGBTQIA+ safe travel concierge
    🚨 Full safety features like automatic evidence recording
    💬 Custom avatars and community engagement features

    You can check out everything that’s coming here.

  • The Shane app is available globally* on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Just tap the links, download, and you’re in — ready to explore LGBTQIA+ inclusive spaces, use real-time safety tools, and make the world a little less sketchy for everyone.

    Heads up: Some countries may block or remove us from their app stores. Unfortunately, that’s out of our control — but we’ll always keep fighting to stay accessible.

    *Except in the 20 countries where LGBTQIA+ identities are currently severely punishable by law (death sentence, life imprisonment, or corporal punishment). Shane won’t appear in local app stores there.

  • The Shane Mobile App is available in most countries — but not all.

    We follow an Allow List policy based on verified data from ILGA, Human Rights Watch, and other trusted sources to help keep our users safe.

    Shane is not available for download in 20 countries where LGBTQIA+ identities are severely criminalised (with penalties like death, life imprisonment, or corporal punishment). This decision protects LGBTQIA+ individuals, activists, and businesses from increased visibility in regions where it could be dangerous. If you’re living in or traveling through one of these countries, you may still be able to use Shane if it’s already installed — but it won’t be accessible through local app stores.

    In the 64 countries where it is currently unsafe or illegal to be LGBTQ+, we’ve disabled the ability to add locations, ratings or reviews on the Shane map. Instead, only the following types of entries will appear:

    1. Verified local LGBTQ+ organisations that are publicly active in the country

    2. Global advocacy or international support organisations

    3. Businesses or services that have explicitly submitted a verified request to be listed on Shane

    This approach allows us to support visibility without compromising safety.

  • Yes! Shane’s core features are free to use on both the mobile and (when available) web app — including searching the map, reading reviews, adding your own, and creating lists.

    For those who want more, our Premium features are available on the mobile app through a subscription or one-time purchases. These unlock extra tools like emergency alerts, and an ad-free experience.

  • No stress — the Shane map is powered by our community, which means it's always growing.

    If a place you know and love isn’t listed yet, you can add it yourself in just a few steps: simply watch our quick explainer on how to add a place and you’re all set!

  • Shane Ambassadors are trusted community members who help make Shane better, safer, and more representative of LGBTQIA+ experiences around the world. They're our eyes and ears on the ground — people who know their cities, care deeply about inclusion, and want to make navigating the world safer for others.

    All Ambassadors go through a vetting and onboarding process to ensure they align with Shane’s values, understand our safety-first mission, and are committed to uplifting the entire LGBTQIA+ community.

    In the Shane app, you can spot them by the Ambassador badge next to their username. If you see a review or place added by an Ambassador, you’ll know it’s been shared with care, integrity, and community in mind.

    Please reach out via our contact form to apply to become a Shane Ambassador.

  • We've temporarily disabled the Shane web app as we shift all our focus to the Shane mobile app, now live on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

    The mobile app offers everything the web app did (and more), with smoother features, better performance, and all the safety tools you love.

  • Shane is a platform for the whole community — individuals and the organisations that serve them. Shane connects people who need inclusive, safer spaces with the businesses and groups actively creating them.

    Through Shane Certification, organisations can commit to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, earn visibility, and show up clearly in the app with a Shane Certified badge. And with the upcoming Shane Console, they’ll be able to manage their listings, renew certifications, and access tools to better engage with the community in meaningful ways.

    Whether a space is queer-owned, proudly inclusive, or working to do better — Shane helps amplify it.

  • Shane Certification highlights businesses and organizations that are committed to LGBTQIA+ safety and inclusivity.

    Certified spaces are prominently marked in our Mobile App, so you can trust they’ve got your back.

  • We’re here to help! Contact us through the form on our website, and we’ll be happy to assist.

FAQs for Businesses

  • Shane isn’t just for finding safer spaces — it’s about building them.

    Our platform connects businesses and organisations with LGBTQIA+ people who want to support those that truly support them. Whether you're queer-led, proudly inclusive, or just getting started on your inclusion journey, Shane helps you reach the right audience, show your values, and make a real impact.

  • The Shane Console is our dedicated platform for businesses and organisations.

    It lets you manage your Shane listing, update your info, renew your Shane Certification, and access tools to authentically connect with LGBTQIA+ customers, clients, and community members. You’ll also be able to explore Shane’s business products.

  • At present, our core business offering is Employer Benefit Subscriptions — bulk Shane Premium accounts for organizations that want to support LGBTQIA+ staff with meaningful, safety-focused benefits. Pricing is available on request by contacting our team directly.

    Additional business products will soon be available through the Shane Console, including:

    • Pay-per-click advertising tools to boost visibility in the Shane app

    • API integrations for organizations that want to embed Shane features into their own platforms

    • A Partner Program for strategic third party integrations into Shane

    Please note: Shane Certification is not a paid product, it’s our free recognition program to spotlight organizations already creating safer, more inclusive spaces.

  • Shane Certification is our way of spotlighting businesses and organisations that are actively committed to LGBTQIA+ inclusion and safety.

    It’s free to apply, and certified spaces get a visible badge on the Shane map — helping users know they’re stepping into a place that welcomes and respects them. Whether you're queer-owned, values-driven, or taking real steps to improve, Shane Certification is about recognition, not perfection.

    It’s not performative. It’s not pay-to-play. It’s a growing network of trusted, inclusive spaces built on real-world impact.

  • Trusted Recognition: Position your organization as a leader in inclusivity and safety, enhancing your reputation in the market.

    In App Badge: Gain enhanced visibility within the Shane app, making it easier for users to discover you.

    Community Trust: Build stronger relationships with LGBTQIA+ consumers, fostering loyalty and brand advocacy.

    Expand Your User Base: Access a large audience of engaged users actively seeking LGBTQIA+ friendly businesses and services.

    Increase Your Revenue: With 71% of LGBTQIA+ consumers more likely to purchase from brands that actively support LGBTQIA+ causes, certification can significantly boost your revenue potential.

  • Shane Certification is open to organizations and businesses of all types and sizes, regardless of their location.

    Whether you are a small local business, a large corporation, a nonprofit organization, or a service provider, you are encouraged to apply for certification.

    Our goal is to create a diverse network of entities committed to fostering safe and inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

    By joining the Shane Certification program, your organization can demonstrate its dedication to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and promoting a culture of safety and inclusivity.

  • Yes! By partnering with Shane, you're not just expanding your reach but also actively contributing to a safer, more inclusive world for everyone.

  • Fill out the online application to begin your journey toward becoming Shane Certified.

    For any questions, you can fill out our contact form or email us at hello@shanecollective.com

Still Have Questions?

For any questions, fill out the contact form or email us at hello@shanecollective.com