'Wardrobe'
Guidelines
Purpose and what this is
The Wardrobe Initiative exists to help trans people access clothing that fits their gender and helps them feel safer and more themselves. People can donate pre-transition clothing or any clothing they no longer need, and other trans people can book it on our website and “adopt” it. This is a mutual-aid project, not a marketplace.
Why we take safety so seriously in Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan there is very limited legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and there are documented cases of harassment and abuse against LGBTQ+ people, including by authorities. Because of that, we design the project to minimize exposure, prevent outing, and avoid direct contact between donors and adopters whenever possible.
Core safety rules that apply to everyone
We never require you to publicly identify as trans, and we do not allow public comments, public messaging, or any “meet the donor” / “meet the adopter” feature. We do not publish names, phone numbers, addresses, social media handles, or any identifying details. We keep personal data to the absolute minimum needed to complete a handoff, and we delete it as soon as the handoff is completed (or after a short retention window if the handoff fails).
How donations work
A donor submits an item for review. If approved, we list it on the site using neutral, non-identifying wording (for example: item type, size, measurements, condition, and city/region only). Donors should never include personal notes, names, or any “this belonged to…” story, because that can unintentionally out someone later. Donors must only donate items they have the right to give away and that are safe and legal.
What we accept and what we don’t
We accept clean, wearable items in good condition. Items must be freshly washed, free of strong smells, free of pests, and safe to handle. We do not accept used underwear, used socks, or items that are unhygienic, damaged beyond repair, or unsafe. We do not accept anything illegal or dangerous.
Guidelines for photos for donors
Photos must never include faces, tattoos, unique jewelry, ID cards, mail, street views, recognizable interiors, or anything that can identify a person or a home. Use a plain background and neutral lighting. If you take photos on a phone, assume the photo may contain hidden metadata; we recommend you avoid showing location clues and we may re-save/strip metadata before publishing. Descriptions must stay practical (size, fit, fabric, measurements, condition) and must not include personal details.
How adopting works
An adopter books an item on the website. We do not force adopters to prove they are trans, because that can be unsafe and exclusionary, but we do monitor for suspicious behavior and harassment. If someone appears to be using the project to bait, identify, threaten, or shame trans people, we will block them and preserve relevant logs for safety follow-up. Direct contact with the donor is not possible. All communications will happen with the coordinator.
Thanks for your interest in our project!