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Cookies Policy

Effective Date: August 17, 2026 - Gatherings LLC

This Cookies Policy explains how Gatherings LLC dba Gaytherings ("Gaytherings," "we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies ("Cookies") on our website at gaytherings.com and the related services we provide through it (collectively, the "Services"). This Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle personal information more generally.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help a website function properly, remember your preferences, and provide information about how people use the site. We also use similar technologies, including browser storage (sessionStorage and localStorage) and web beacons, to support functionality and understand usage. In this Policy, "Cookies" refers to all of these technologies. Some Cookies are set by us. Others are set by third-party providers we work with, such as our payment processor and our analytics provider. We do not control how those third parties use the information they collect; their use is governed by their own privacy policies. To learn more about Cookies generally, including how to view and delete them in your browser, visit www.aboutcookies.org.

2. How We Use Cookies

We use Cookies to:

  • enable the core functionality of the Services;

  • authenticate users and maintain secure sessions;

  • remember your preferences and settings, including your cookie choices;

  • support location-based features, such as showing Events relevant to your general geographic area;

  • understand how people use the Services so we can improve them; and

  • detect and prevent fraud, misuse, and security issues.

3. Categories of Cookies We Use

Our cookie banner groups Cookies into three categories, matching the choices available to you.

Necessary Cookies (always active)

These Cookies are required for the Services to work. They support authentication, session management, security, and remembering the cookie choices you have made. They also remember basic interface preferences you have set yourself, such as language and region, so the Services work the way you have chosen. Because the Services cannot function properly without these Cookies, they cannot be turned off through our cookie banner. You can still block them through your browser settings, but parts of the Services may not work.

Analytics Cookies (optional)

These Cookies help us understand how the Services are used — for example, which pages are visited, how long visits last, and where errors or slow loading occur. We use this information to improve performance and the overall experience. Analytics Cookies are set only if you allow them. Analytics data is collected using pseudonymous identifiers assigned to your browser or device. It is not used to identify you by name, but it is not fully anonymous, and it may be treated as personal information under applicable privacy laws.

Marketing Cookies (optional)

These Cookies would be used to show you content and promotions about Events and Organizers that may be relevant to you, and to measure how that content performs. We do not currently use Marketing Cookies. The Marketing option appears in our cookie banner so that your preference is recorded in advance. If we begin using Marketing Cookies, we will update this Policy, and they will be set only if you have allowed them.

4. Cookies We Use

Necessary

  • session_id (or similar) — set by Gaytherings — maintains your session — expires at end of session

  • auth_token (or similar) — set by Gaytherings — verifies your signed-in identity — expires at end of session

  • csrf_token — set by Gaytherings — protects against cross-site request forgery — expires at end of session

  • cookie_consent (or similar) — set by Gaytherings — remembers your cookie choices — up to 12 months

  • user_preferences — set by Gaytherings — stores interface settings such as region and community selection — up to 30 days

  • language — set by Gaytherings — remembers your language selection — up to 30 days

  • __stripe_mid — set by Stripe — fraud prevention and payment security — up to 1 year

  • __stripe_sid — set by Stripe — payment session security — expires at end of session

Analytics

  • _ga — set by Google Analytics — distinguishes browsers or devices for analytics — up to 2 years

  • ga[container ID] — set by Google Analytics — maintains analytics session state — up to 2 years

  • _gid — set by Google Analytics — distinguishes browsers or devices — up to 24 hours

Marketing

  • None currently in use.

Cookie names and durations may change as providers update their technologies. We review this list periodically and update it as needed.

5. Browser Storage

In addition to Cookies, we use browser storage to support the Services:

  • sessionStorage — maintains temporary application state — cleared when you close your browser tab

  • localStorage — stores interface preferences and application state — remains on your device until you clear your browser storage

Unlike session Cookies, information in localStorage is not automatically deleted when you sign out or close your browser. You can clear it at any time through your browser settings.

6. Your Choices

Our cookie banner. When you first visit the Services, we show you a cookie banner. You can accept all Cookies, reject all non-essential Cookies, or choose which categories to allow. Analytics and Marketing Cookies are off by default and are set only after you allow them.

Changing your mind. You can change your choices at any time using the "Cookie preferences" link in the footer of our website.

Your browser. Most browsers let you block or delete Cookies through their settings. Blocking Necessary Cookies may prevent parts of the Services from working, including signing in and completing a purchase.

7. Third-Party Cookies

Some Cookies are set by third parties that provide functionality within the Services, including our payment processor (Stripe) and our analytics provider (Google Analytics). Embedded content, media players, and links to external websites may also set their own Cookies. We do not control these Cookies or the information collected through them. Please review the relevant third party's privacy policy for details about how they use that information.

8. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

In the past 12 months, we have not sold your personal information. California residents and residents of certain other states have the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. We do not currently use Marketing Cookies. If that changes, you will be able to opt out through our cookie banner or the "Cookie preferences" link in our footer. For more information about your privacy rights and how to submit a request, see our Privacy Policy or contact us at support@gaytherings.com.

9. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" setting. There is currently no widely accepted standard for how websites should respond to these signals, and the Services do not respond to them at this time. You can control Cookies using our cookie banner and the options described in Section 6.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the Cookies we use or to applicable law. When we do, we will revise the Effective Date at the top of this Policy. Material changes may also be communicated through the Services.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or complaints about this Cookies Policy, contact us at support@gaytherings.com.