Terms of Service

These Terms of Service govern access to and use of the services provided by Affirming Business Institute (“ABI,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). These Terms of Service (the “Terms”) constitute a binding agreement between you and ABI governing your use of our certification courses at affirmingbusinessinstitute.com , our public directory of Certified Queer-Affirming Businesses at affirmingbusinesses.com , and any related content and services (together, the “Platform”).

By creating an account, purchasing a course, applying for certification, browsing the directory, or otherwise accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not access or use the Platform.

ABI’s information practices are described in the Privacy Policy , and refunds are governed by the Refund Policy , each available on the Platform. The Privacy Policy and the Refund Policy are provided for informational purposes and are not incorporated into these Terms.

1. Eligibility & Your Account

You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account or use the Platform. By registering, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age, that the information you provide is true, accurate, and complete, and that you will keep it current. If you use the Platform on behalf of an entity, you represent and warrant that you are authorized to bind that entity to these Terms, and “you” refers to both you and that entity.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity occurring under your account. You must notify ABI promptly of any unauthorized use of your account. ABI may refuse, suspend, or terminate accounts as described in these Terms.

2. Our Services

The Platform comprises three principal offerings, to which different provisions of these Terms apply:

• Courses and content: “Content” means any course, lesson, video, assessment, or reference material ABI makes available to you on the Platform.
• Certification: businesses that complete a course and pass its assessment may become a Certified Queer-Affirming Business and receive a certificate and a digital badge (Section 5).
• The public directory: certified businesses may choose to be listed in our searchable directory so that consumers can find them (Section 6).

Who these Terms apply to

These Terms apply to all users of the Platform. Certain provisions apply according to how you use the Platform:

• A “Certified Business” is a business or individual that enrolls in a course, seeks or holds certification, or is listed in the directory. Sections 3, 4, 5, 6 (Listed Businesses), 7, and 12 apply in particular to Certified Businesses.
• A “Directory User” is any person who uses the directory to find a provider. Section 6 (Directory Users) applies in particular to Directory Users.

A single person or entity may be both a Certified Business and a Directory User, in which case all applicable provisions apply. References to “you” apply to each capacity in which you use the Platform.

3. License to Use Content

ABI grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to access and view the Content for your own personal or internal business use in connection with your certification. You shall not:

This license terminates automatically upon your breach of these Terms, and ABI may suspend or terminate it at any time. Upon termination, you shall cease all use of the Content and delete any copies in your possession or control.

The Content, including ABI’s methods, frameworks, curricula, templates, and assessments, constitutes ABI’s confidential and proprietary information. You shall not disclose, publish, or otherwise make the Content available to any person outside the Platform, except as expressly permitted by these Terms.

4. Payments & Refunds

Certain Content and certification services require payment of a fee. Prices are as displayed on the Platform and are subject to change. Payments are processed through third-party payment processors, and your payment information is provided directly to those processors. You are responsible for any applicable taxes. ABI does not process or retain your full payment card number.

Courses and certifications are digital products. Except as expressly stated in the Refund Policy , all fees are non-refundable once access to Content has been granted. You should review the Refund Policy before purchasing.

Chargebacks and failed payments. If you believe there is a problem with a charge, you agree to contact ABI first. Initiating a chargeback, payment dispute, or reversal without first contacting ABI is a breach of these Terms. If any payment is charged back, disputed, reversed, or fails, ABI may immediately suspend or void your certification, revoke your license to the ABI Marks and Designations, remove your directory listing, and suspend your access, and any certification or badge tied to that payment is deemed invalid until the payment is resolved in full. ABI may recover amounts owed and reasonable costs of collection.

5. Certification, Certificate, & Badge

Certification signifies only that, as of the date granted, a business completed the applicable ABI course and passed the associated assessment. Certification is a representation regarding a business’s completion of education and its stated practices. It is not a guarantee, warranty, endorsement, recommendation, or representation by ABI regarding the conduct, competence, services, or treatment of any client by that business. ABI does not audit, supervise, monitor, or verify the ongoing conduct of certified businesses.

Protected marks and designations

“ABI Marks and Designations” means, collectively: the name “Affirming Business Institute” and “ABI”; the ABI badge and certificate; the designation “Certified Queer-Affirming Business”; and any variation, abbreviation, translation, or industry-, service-, or profession-specific form of the foregoing (for example, “Certified Queer-Affirming Photographer,” “… Wedding Planner,” “… Baker,” or similar), as well as any word, title, badge, seal, or statement that represents, suggests, or implies that a person or business is certified, endorsed, or approved by ABI or holds ABI certification, however phrased. Your rights to use the ABI Marks and Designations are limited to the license granted in this Section and terminate as provided in these Terms.

The certificate and badge

Upon certification, ABI issues you a certificate and a digital badge. While your certification is active and in good standing, ABI grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to display the ABI digital badge solely to accurately indicate your current certification status. You shall not alter the badge, use it in any misleading manner, use it to suggest any affiliation, endorsement, sponsorship, or approval beyond certification, or use it, or use any of the ABI Marks and Designations, or otherwise represent that your business is currently certified by or affiliated with ABI, after your certification has expired or been suspended or revoked.

Term and re-certification

Certification is valid for two (2) years from the date it is granted. To maintain certification beyond that period, a business must re-certify by completing the then-current course and assessment and paying the applicable fee. Upon successful re-certification, ABI issues a new certificate and digital badge and maintains or restores the business’s directory listing for the new term. If your certification lapses, you must stop using the badge and all other ABI Marks and Designations, and stop representing that your business is currently certified by or affiliated with ABI, and your directory listing may be removed as described in Section 6.

Re-certification pricing. If you re-certify within twelve (12) months after your certification expires, you may do so at ABI’s then-current re-certification price. If more than twelve (12) months have passed since your certification expired, you must re-certify at ABI’s then-current full certification price, the same as a first-time applicant. ABI sets all prices and may change them at any time.

Scope of certification. Certification applies only to the specific business or individual that completed the course and passed the assessment. Certification is personal to that business or individual, is not transferable, and does not pass to any successor, acquirer, or new owner upon a sale or transfer of the business or its assets. Unless ABI agrees otherwise in writing, certification does not extend to, and may not be claimed by, any parent, subsidiary, affiliate, franchisee, additional location, or any owner, employee, contractor, or personnel who did not personally complete the course and pass the assessment. You shall not represent that any person or entity is certified beyond the scope stated here.

Integrity of certification. You shall not share, publish, or solicit assessment questions or answers, submit work that is not your own, or obtain or attempt to obtain certification through misrepresentation, impersonation, or unauthorized assistance. Any certification obtained through fraud, cheating, or material misrepresentation is void from the outset, and ABI may revoke it without notice and without refund.

ABI owns the certification, certificate, and ABI badge. Certification is not a permanent status, and ABI may revoke it at its sole discretion.

Re-certification is not automatic. Certification does not renew on its own, and no business has a right to re-certify. ABI may decline to re-certify any business at the end of its term, at any time, for any reason or no reason, in its sole discretion. ABI is not required to give a reason for declining re-certification. If ABI declines, your certification ends on its expiration date, and you must stop using the ABI badge and all other ABI Marks and Designations, and stop representing that your business is certified by or affiliated with ABI, from that date. ABI may remove your directory listing. ABI will not issue any refund, in whole or in part, if it declines to re-certify a business or if a business does not re-certify.

ABI may also refuse to enroll, re-enroll, or re-certify any person or business at any time, in its sole discretion and with or without cause, including a business ABI has removed or intends to remove from the directory. Refusing enrollment or re-certification does not require ABI to revoke a current certification, and revoking a current certification does not require ABI to permit future enrollment.

Suspension and revocation. In addition, we may suspend or revoke certification before the end of its term, at any time, with or without cause, in our sole discretion. Reasons may include, without limitation, misrepresenting your certification, misusing the badge, conduct that conflicts with ABI’s stated values, or breach of these Terms. ABI is not required to establish any of these to suspend or revoke.

ABI will provide written notice of suspension or revocation to the email address associated with your account, stating the effective date. Upon expiration, non-renewal, suspension, or revocation, you shall, within five (5) business days, cease all use of the ABI badge and all other ABI Marks and Designations, remove them from all physical and digital materials under your control, and cease representing that your business is certified by or affiliated with ABI. ABI may also remove your directory listing. Continued use after that period constitutes unauthorized use of the ABI Marks and Designations. Fees already paid are non-refundable except as expressly stated in the Refund Policy.

You acknowledge that certification confers no vested, continuing, or property right, and you waive and release any claim against ABI arising out of or relating to the suspension, revocation, non-renewal, or expiration of certification, or the removal of a directory listing, except to the extent such waiver is prohibited by applicable law.

Not medical or clinical advice

ABI is an education and certification provider. ABI is not a health care provider, is not a licensed or accredited clinical training body, and does not provide medical, physical therapy, mental health, or other clinical advice. Course content is general education in affirming and inclusive service practices. Completion of an ABI course does not confer any clinical credential, does not authorize you to perform any service requiring a license in your jurisdiction, and does not expand your scope of practice. You are solely responsible for determining and operating within the scope of practice permitted by the licensing laws of every jurisdiction in which you practice, for maintaining your own licenses and insurance, and for complying with all laws governing your handling of client health information, including the Washington My Health My Data Act and comparable state laws.

6. The Public Directory

Listed businesses

Certified businesses may elect to be listed in the ABI public directory. Listing is optional and requires your separate consent to publication; ABI’s handling of that information is described in the Privacy Policy. To update or request removal of your listing, contact ABI at hello@affirmingbusinesses.com .

ABI maintains the directory manually. Following the expiration of a business’s certification, if the business does not re-certify, ABI will remove the business from the directory. ABI aims to process such removals around the month in which the certification expires but does not guarantee removal by any particular date or on any fixed schedule.

If you are listed, you represent, warrant, and agree that:

• you are lawfully able to operate your business and hold all licenses, permits, and registrations required for the services you offer;
• the information in your listing is accurate, not misleading, and kept current, and does not infringe the rights of any third party;
• you will conduct your business in a manner consistent with the affirming practices reflected in your certification and in compliance with applicable law;
• ABI may remove, suspend, decline, or modify any listing at any time in its sole discretion, including in response to complaints, conduct concerns, or certification lapse, and without liability to you;
• a listing does not guarantee any inquiries, clients, revenue, or business results; and
• a listing is public and, once indexed by search engines or archived by third parties, may remain accessible after removal from the directory, which ABI cannot control or reverse.

License to your listing content. You grant ABI a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, reproduce, and distribute the business name, logo, images, description, and other materials you submit for your listing (“Listing Content”), and to use your Listing Content, business name, and certification status to operate and to promote and market the directory and ABI. You represent and warrant that you own or have the necessary rights to your Listing Content and to grant this license. This license ends within a reasonable time after your listing is removed, except for materials already used in ABI marketing that has been distributed and for records ABI must retain.

Listing Content is provided by you, not by ABI, and does not represent the opinion, recommendation, or endorsement of ABI. The only representation ABI makes regarding a listed business is that it completed ABI certification as described in Section 5.

Consumer complaints. ABI may, but is not obligated to, review or investigate complaints regarding a Certified Business, and may suspend, revoke, decline to re-certify, or remove a listing based on such review, in its sole discretion. ABI does not mediate, arbitrate, or resolve disputes between Certified Businesses and their clients, makes no assurance regarding the conduct of any Certified Business, and assumes no responsibility for acting or declining to act on any complaint.

Directory users

ABI does not independently verify the information in directory listings, which is provided by the businesses themselves. Listing information is provided to assist you in exercising your own judgment, and your reliance on it is at your own risk.

The directory identifies businesses that have completed ABI certification. ABI is not a party to any transaction, engagement, or communication between you and any listed business. ABI does not guarantee, endorse, recommend, warrant, or assume responsibility for any listed business or for the conduct, services, products, statements, acts, or omissions of any listed business, whether occurring online or offline. You are solely responsible for evaluating any business you engage and for your dealings with that business.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you release ABI and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any and all claims, demands, damages, losses, and liabilities of every kind, whether known or unknown, arising out of or relating to any dispute with, or any conduct, services, or products of, any business listed in the directory.

You may use the directory solely to identify providers for your own purposes. You shall not scrape, crawl, harvest, index, copy, republish, or compile directory data, in whole or in part, or use directory data to send marketing, spam, or other solicitations to listed businesses.

7. Acceptable Use

You shall use the Platform lawfully and shall not:

ABI may remove content, suspend or terminate your account, revoke certification, or refuse access, with or without notice, for any violation of this Section. ABI’s exercise of these remedies does not limit any other remedy available to it.

8. Our Intellectual Property

The Platform and everything on it that ABI provides, including its Content, courses, curriculum, text, graphics, logos, the ABI name and badge, trademarks, software, and the design and “look and feel” of the Platform (“ABI IP”), is owned by ABI or its licensors and is protected by intellectual property laws. Using the Platform does not give you any ownership of ABI IP. Any use of ABI IP not expressly permitted by these Terms is prohibited, including any unauthorized use of the ABI name or badge.

You shall not use any of the ABI Marks and Designations (as defined in Section 5) in any manner likely to cause confusion, or that disparages ABI, or in connection with any product or service that is not certified. Any goodwill arising from use of the ABI Marks and Designations inures solely to ABI.

Copyright complaints

ABI respects the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe content on the Platform, including a directory logo or image, infringes your copyright, notify ABI at hello@affirmingbusinesses.com with: (a) your physical or electronic signature; (b) identification of the copyrighted work; (c) identification of the material claimed to infringe and information sufficient to locate it; (d) your contact information; (e) a statement that you have a good-faith belief the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and (f) a statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are authorized to act on the owner’s behalf. ABI may remove or disable access to the material and may terminate the accounts of repeat infringers.

9. Feedback

If you submit suggestions, ideas, or other feedback regarding the Platform, ABI may use, reproduce, modify, and exploit that feedback for any purpose without restriction, attribution, or compensation to you. You acquire no ownership or other rights in the Platform as a result of any feedback.

You further agree that ABI may reproduce, display, publish, and otherwise use any public comments, reviews, testimonials, or messages you submit or post in connection with the Platform, including for promotional purposes, with such attribution as ABI considers appropriate.

10. Disclaimers

THE PLATFORM AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ABI DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

ABI DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE, OR THAT IT WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR ACHIEVE ANY PARTICULAR RESULT. ABI DOES NOT GUARANTEE ANY OUTCOME FROM CERTIFICATION, INCLUDING ANY LEVEL OF SALES, REFERRALS, OR BUSINESS RESULTS, AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR ENDORSE ANY BUSINESS LISTED IN THE DIRECTORY. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

No professional advice; no advisory relationship

The Platform and all Content are provided for general educational and informational purposes only. ABI is not a law firm, medical or mental-health provider, or licensed professional-services firm, and nothing on the Platform constitutes legal, medical, psychological, financial, tax, employment, or other professional advice. ABI’s instructors serve as subject-matter educators and are not your advisors, agents, or representatives; no attorney-client, therapist-client, fiduciary, or other professional relationship is created by your use of the Platform. You are responsible for obtaining independent professional advice suited to your circumstances before acting on any information provided through the Platform.

No guarantee of results

ABI makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee regarding any business, financial, professional, or reputational outcome from certification or use of the Platform, including any level of sales, clients, referrals, inquiries, revenue, or growth. Any examples, testimonials, or projections are illustrative only and are not a promise of results. Outcomes depend on numerous factors outside ABI’s control, including your own efforts, your market, and how you apply the education provided. You may realize little or no benefit from certification.

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AND REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, WARRANTY, OR OTHERWISE, AND EVEN IF ABI HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, ABI WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, BUSINESS, OR GOODWILL, OR FOR THE CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY INCLUDING ANY CERTIFIED OR LISTED BUSINESS, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PLATFORM, CERTIFICATION, OR THE DIRECTORY. ABI’S TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM RELATING TO THE PLATFORM WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID ABI IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100). SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIABILITY LIMITATIONS, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU, AND NOTHING HERE LIMITS RIGHTS THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

12. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless ABI and its officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or relating to: (a) your breach of these Terms; (b) your use of the Platform; (c) any content or information you submit to ABI; (d) your violation of any law or the rights of any third party; (e) your use or display of the ABI badge, name, or marks; and (f) if you are a certified or listed business, your services, conduct, acts, or omissions, including any claim brought by a client or third party relating to your treatment of that person.

ABI reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you, in which case you agree to cooperate with ABI’s defense of that claim. You shall not settle any such matter in a manner that imposes obligations on ABI without ABI’s prior written consent.

13. Third-Party Links & Services

The Platform may link to third-party websites or rely on third-party services, including its course platform and payment processor. ABI does not control and is not responsible for the content, practices, availability, or security of any third party, and no link constitutes an endorsement. Your use of third-party sites and services is at your own risk and governed by their terms.

14. Suspension & Termination

You may cease using the Platform at any time. ABI may suspend or terminate your access, with or without notice and with or without cause, including if you breach these Terms or if ABI is required to do so by law.

ABI may modify, suspend, or discontinue the Platform, or any course, feature, or certification program, in whole or in part, at any time and without liability to you. ABI does not warrant that any course or certification program will remain available for any period.

Provisions that by their nature should survive termination, including Sections 5 (as to post-termination badge obligations), 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17, survive termination or expiration of these Terms.

15. Changes to These Terms

ABI may modify these Terms from time to time. ABI will revise the “Last updated” date above and, for material changes, will provide reasonable notice by email or through the Platform. Modifications apply prospectively. Your continued use of the Platform after modifications take effect constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree, you must cease using the Platform.

16. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Washington , without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree that any dispute relating to the Platform or these Terms will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in King County, Washington , and you consent to their jurisdiction. Nothing in this section limits any rights you may have under the consumer-protection laws of your home state that cannot be waived.

Notice before suit. Before bringing any legal action relating to these Terms or the Platform, you agree to notify ABI in writing and give ABI a reasonable opportunity, of at least thirty (30) days, to address the matter.

Time limit on claims. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform must be filed within one (1) year after the claim arose, or it is permanently barred.

Jury trial waiver. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each party waives any right to a trial by jury in any action arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform.

17. Miscellaneous

18. Contact Us

Questions about these Terms? Contact us:

Affirming Business Institute, LLC

Email: hello@affirmingbusinesses.com