Privacy Policy

At Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound (DAPS), your safety, autonomy, and dignity come first. As a trans-led, community-based organization, we treat your personal information with the same care we give to each other in times of need.

This privacy policy explains how we collect, protect, and use your data, not only online, but in general within the organization, — and how we uphold your right to decide what’s shared, seen, or stored.


What We Collect — and Why

We only collect personal information you voluntarily share with us. This may include:

  • Affirmed Name and Contact Info
    For communication related to services, events, or resources you’ve requested.
  • Demographics (Optional)
    Such as age, gender identity, zip code, or access needs, to help us tailor programs and support. These are never required.
  • Sensitive or Situational Info
    Such as medical needs, disability access, or emergency contact info — only when directly relevant to the services you’re receiving and with your consent.

We do not collect legal names, gender markers, or documentation unless required for a specific legal or travel-related service — and even then, only with your consent.


Name Privacy and Redaction

We do not store, retain, or share legal, dead, or birth names unless absolutely required by law or service logistics — and never without your consent.

  • If a legal name is needed (e.g., for travel booking or grant compliance), it is redacted from all non-essential records once used.
  • All communications and internal files will use your affirmed name only.
  • Your identity is yours — and we protect that at every level.

Who Has Access to Your Information

Privacy access is tightly restricted.

  • Only the Program Director of the specific service you’re using will routinely access your personal or identifying info.
  • If a situation requires escalation, the Executive Director and Board Chair — as heads of leadership — may access your information to ensure support or safety.
  • No other board members, facilitators, staff, or volunteers will ever access your private information unless absolutely necessary and with cause.

All individuals with access are required to complete confidentiality training, and any breach of that trust results in immediate removal and full review.

At DAPS, privacy isn’t just paperwork — it’s protection.


How We Use Your Information

Your information is used only to:

  • Provide the support or services you’ve asked for
  • Communicate with you about programs or updates
  • Track internal impact (with non-identifying data unless consented)
  • Comply with legal obligations (e.g., grant reporting, court compliance)

We do not sell, rent, trade, or disclose your personal information to any third party.


Data Security

We protect your data with care and intention:

  • Password-protected and encrypted platforms (e.g., Bitwarden)
  • Secure cloud storage with limited access
  • Timely redaction and deletion of sensitive or legal-name data
  • Printed intake forms are secured and destroyed per protocol

Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Know what information we have about you
  • Request corrections or deletions
  • Withdraw your consent at any time
  • Ask for a copy of your file or service record

To exercise these rights, contact us at:
📧 info@diversityallianceofthepugetsound.org


Cookies and Website Tools

Our website may use basic cookies to improve performance. We do not track individual browsing or use any third-party analytics for advertising purposes. You can adjust your browser settings to opt out of cookies at any time.


Content Liability

We are not responsible for any content appearing on your personal or organizational website if you link to ours. You agree to indemnify and defend DAPS against any claims arising from your website or its contents.

No link to the DAPS website may appear on any page or within any context that could be interpreted as:

  • Libelous, obscene, or criminal
  • Infringing on any third-party rights
  • Advocating for or enabling unlawful behavior

We reserve the right to remove or challenge any link to our site that violates our values or legal obligations.


Policy Changes

If this policy is updated, we will:

  • Update the date at the top of this page
  • Announce major changes via our newsletter or social media

Questions or Concerns?

If you have questions, need accommodations, or want to make a privacy-related request, please contact:
📧 Malaika Schwartz (Accessibility Director) wilma_soop@proton.me 📧 Morgan Whitten (IT & Cybersecurity Director) ham_soop@proton.me

We don’t ask for more than we need. We don’t hold more than we should. And we never forget who the data belongs to: you.

Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound is a transgender and gender diverse social service organization, founded in 2004.

Support, advocacy, and community action.