appendix: Public Policies

Short & Sweet

We are a safer space for LGBTQI folks, POC groups, punks, lawyers, cyclists, trivia nerds, and almost everyone else.

The Pinhook, music venue, Durham, NC

We invite, welcome, and celebrate all identities and expressions!

Safe Space Cafe, meetup group, Gainesville, FL

Theater X

[Written by Laura Mateczun, these Audience Rights and Responsibilities (posted on Theater X’s website) are a great way to let people know your values in advance and that you care about all your patrons. The inclusion of “responsibilities” lets audiences know that respect is a two-way street. Just because someone is performing or in costume does not mean they deserve harassment.]

Audience Rights and Responsibilities

At Theater X, we believe audience members are artists as well. This list of rights and responsibilities for all visitors to Theater X attending plays, special events, or other programmatic activity, is non-exhaustive. It is intended as an outline of our principles and expectations as an organization. Theater X is an inclusive space at the nexus of experimental theater and community engagement. We work towards realizing the values of accessibility, equity, and dignity each day so that those who enter our space may create and enjoy the arts together. This specifically includes people of color, and people of all ages, abilities, gender expressions and identities, sexual orientations, education status, cultural backgrounds, and religious affiliations, or lack thereof.

The foundation of these values includes:

Treating every person with dignity and respect;
Being fair, considerate, and honest when interacting with all; and
Rejecting violent or discriminatory behavior.

If you require immediate assistance, please speak to the nearest staff member.

Rights

To feel safe
To be treated with respect
To have your comments and concerns heard
To have your accessibility needs addressed, to the extent that we can
To dress and express yourself comfortably and truly

Responsibilities

Do not act or speak in a discriminatory manner, or use racist, sexist, transphobic, homophobic, or xenophobic language.
Do not touch audience or cast members unless permission is expressly given in the production.
Do not engage in any form of abuse, sexual misconduct, or violent behavior.
Do not bring violent weapons into the space, such as loaded gun.
Do not enter the backstage or prop storage space, unless given express permission by Theater X staff.
Pay attention to important emergency evacuation and other safety procedures.
Please return your program after the show if you are not going to keep it.
Take your trash with you when you leave. (Please recycle!)

Isotope Comic Lounge

[The statement of this comic book store is posted on their website]

There was a time when I didn’t think our little comic book shop needed to have a Harassment Policy. I was wrong. As a leader in the comics industry it’s up to folks just like us to step up and let our industry know what behavior is socially acceptable, and what is not. Here at the Isotope it is our goal to create an environment where everyone is treated with dignity, courtesy and respect—and I know that people who regularly attend our events, shop at the store, or know any member of our Isotope family even a little can be confident that if they tell us someone is behaving poorly we will ask that ill-mannered person to leave. But what of those people who are at the Isotope for their first time? Our industry is going through some radical changes and the Isotope wants to be part of a positive change for the better. So we’re putting this in writing.

The Isotope will not tolerate harassment of our guests of any kind. This includes unwanted, unwelcome or uninvited physical contact or attention, offensive verbal comments, inappropriate jokes or propositions, stalking, harassing photography or recording, or any other behavior which makes a person feel humiliated, intimidated or offended in regards, but not limited, to their race, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, appearance, body type, color, creed, origin or simply who they are.

People who violate this policy will be given an official First Warning by either a member of our staff or any member of our community. This warning may be phrased in an official sounding capacity such as “that is a violation of Isotope’s Harassment Policy” or it may be phrased in a more casual manner such as, but not limited to, “that makes me uncomfortable” or “that is inappropriate” and even “hey not cool, man.” These too are considered an official First Warning. There will be no Second Warning. If the behavior does not change, the offending party will simply be told they need to leave and be politely escorted out.

We realize that even the best of humans are flawed, imperfect beings, and with so many of our visitors coming from different parts of the world and walks of life, that some cultural differences may occur. And different people might have conflicting definitions of what “harassment” is. So everyone here is afforded the chance to correct a social faux pas. But you won’t get two. Those who can’t muster up the decency to respect each other, our community, the Isotope and also themselves just aren’t welcome. Officially.

And because the Isotope is your community as well as ours, we deputize each and every one of you to take part in the enforcement of this policy. Which means that your Harassment Policy warning is just as official as mine is. In the event of an uncomfortable or awkward situation we still ask that all parties treat everyone at the Isotope with the kindness and respect they are due as fellow human beings. Even if they are jerks.

Our policy applies to all guests, including featured creators and also ourselves and staff. And even the music we play. Simply, if it’s gotta go, then it’s gotta go. This Harassment Policy is in effect at the Isotope always and forever. We will be adding a link to this post on every special event we announce so that this policy is clear to one and all.

Let’s work together, like Zan and Jayna, to co-activate our Wonder Twin powers for a better world of comics! The Isotope has grown over the years as people and an entity, and we will continue to evolve for the betterment of ourselves, our community and the greater comics industry. So let’s join forces… my fellow comic fans, fellow retailers and industry leaders… for a higher community standard and a greater, more welcoming comics industry for all.

Thank you to all of you for helping us build and better our amazing Isotope community.

Riot Fest

[The folks at this music festival worked with Our Music, My Body, to create a very clear anti-harassment policy that they posted on their website. Check out the whole thing to see the music-festival-specific examples. Below is a short sample.]

Riot Fest believes everyone should feel safe during the music festival. We will help maintain this by not tolerating harmful behaviors, which may include non-consensual touching or verbal harassment. If a participant chooses to break these policies they may be removed from the fest. If someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, no matter how minor it may seem, please do not stay silent. You can report it to any Riot Fest staff member and they will follow your lead and work with you to try to make sure it does not happen again and that you continue to feel safe at our festival.

Riot Fest has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to: race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, citizenship, pregnancy.

Harassment includes but is not limited to: stalking, verbal or physical intimidation, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and/or battery, harassing or non-consensual photography or recording, bathroom policing, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome physical attention.

Suggested Tweets

If you’re harassed at a show, just let our staff know! Everyone deserves to have a fun, harassment-free night. #makingspacessafer

Reminder: we do not allow harassment, bigotry, or violence of any kind at our venue! If u are harassed, tell staff immediately or message us here—we’ve got your back! #makingspacessafer