Events Code of Conduct
We are committed to making our events as safe, respectful, inclusive and enjoyable as possible.
Our events draw a wide variety of attendees with different identities, views and experiences so it is important that everyone has a common understanding of appropriate behaviour.
We require all attendees of our events to follow this Code of Conduct.
If you think you might have difficulty understanding or following this Code of Conduct, please let us know before the start of the event so that we can help you.
Respectful Communication
- Use the names and pronouns that others have asked you to use for them.
- If you are unsure of the pronoun someone uses, ask them, or avoid gendered language, e.g. use “they” instead of “he” or “she”.
- Be inclusive and supportive of those who are less confident or who have diverse communication styles so that everyone can contribute.
- Listen to and follow the instructions of facilitators, including their decisions about what is off-topic and who is next to speak and for how long.
- Rather than interrupt another participant who is speaking, indicate to the facilitator that you wish to speak and then wait your turn.
- Friendly constructive discussion is welcomed but personal insults and demeaning or argumentative comments are not acceptable.
Consent
- Everyone has the right to say no to any activity at any stage. This includes saying no to participation in activities or discussions, disclosing personal information, or discussing any topic.
- If someone asks you to leave them alone, do so.
Equality and Diversity
- We won’t tolerate racism, bi+phobia, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, ageism, ableism or any form of discrimination.
- Be respectful of people’s identities, names and pronouns.
- Avoid negative comments, assumptions and stereotyping of people based on their gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, class, disability, religion, beliefs, age, body size, accent or culture.
Disability and neurodiversity inclusion
We aim to be accessible and welcoming to everyone, whatever their access needs. Help us do this by:
- Respecting requests that will help make our events more accessible, such as speaking one at a time in workshops and groups both online and in person.
- Remembering you don’t know by looking how able or not someone is.
- Not offering medical or alternative therapy advice.
- Not asking intrusive questions like ‘What’s wrong with you?’.
Confidentiality
- Keep personal information shared at our events about others private, and only share it if they have given you permission.
- Get permission before publicly identifying any event attendee, including on personal blogs, websites and social networking sites, e.g. Facebook.
- Ensure you have permission from everyone whose face may be visible before taking a photograph.
- Ensure you have permission from everyone who might be recorded before starting any audio or film recording.
- If you believe someone has photographed, audio recorded or filmed you without your permission, you may ask them to delete the image/recording or contact any of the event organisers for assistance.
- We will not publish information, photographs or recordings which may identify attendees without their permission.
- We will not share any information about attendees without permission unless necessary due to safety concerns.
General Behaviour
- Attendees may leave a session or event at any time without explanation.
- The behaviours of others are never justification for anyone to break this Code of Conduct in response.
- Bringing alcohol to events is not permitted.
- Alcohol is only permitted when provided by the events facilitation team, and only to be consumed in moderation.
- Any attendee who causes damage to property will be held liable.
- The use or possession of illicit drugs is never permitted during our events.
- Shouting, swearing, harassing, threatening or humiliating behaviour (verbal, physical or sexual) towards others is unacceptable.
What happens if the Code of Conduct is broken?
We take all kinds of discrimination seriously and respect that not all discrimination is overt. Please report actions and comments that make you feel uncomfortable. If you do not wish actions to be taken by the organising team, that is fine. It will however help us to keep our code of conduct up to date and ensure that we can take steps to avoid future issues at our events. We take all complaints and comments seriously.
You can tell us during the event by speaking to a member of staff or a volunteer.
After the event, you can email en@equality-network.org or sta@equality-network.org.
Examples of things we can do:
- listen to you in a private space
- talk to the others involved
- ask for an apology
- ask them to leave you alone
- require them to not be where you are
- exclude them from the rest of the event
- exclude them from future events
Breaches of the Code of Conduct will be dealt with at the discretion of Equality Network and/or Scottish Trans staff. We may also make other reasonable requests that are not specifically included here or take other action if necessary.
If you have a complaint you can also send it to us using our complaints policy.
Thank you for reading and following this Code of Conduct.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
(Last updated on 1 November 2024)