OutWrite is dedicated to working towards a harassment-free convention experience for all members, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, age, origin, religion, class, or other marginalized identity. We do not tolerate harassment in any form.
We encourage OutWrite members to hold one another accountable to the Code of Conduct, and to take the perspectives of others seriously when a disagreement arises. We expect participants to follow the Code of Conduct at all venues, including those online, and convention-related social events.
Harassment
OutWrite’s definition of harassment includes: Verbal or written comments or displayed images that harmfully reinforce structures of oppression (related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, geographic origin, or class); deliberate intimidation; stalking; body policing (including gender policing in all bathrooms); unwelcome photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
Harassment does not include: respectful disagreement or critique in good faith. OutWrite continues to welcome and appreciate the reading or performance of risky, transgressive material and the discussion of controversial ideas.
OutWrite recognizes that codes of conduct can themselves be used to perpetrate abuse. In particular, they often function to accuse people of color–especially Black women–of “threatening” and/or “intimidating” behavior in public spaces. OutWrite’s effort to value the contributions and participation of all our members means that the weaponization of this code to deride, silence, and police others will be considered a violation of this policy.
Incidents at OutWrite
If a participant engages in harassing behavior at the convention, volunteers monitoring the situation may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from OutWrite. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact an OutWrite volunteer immediately.
Incidents outside of OutWrite
At times, concerns may be raised about members (or potential members) based on conduct that has occurred outside of OutWrite that may include gross violations of our policy and/or put members at risk, including:
- Individuals who have not attended OutWrite, but have a history of abusive behavior and/or known incidents that took place outside OutWrite that may cause risks to a member’s (or members’) safety, or which may contribute to a hostile or non-inclusive climate at the convention.
- OutWrite members who have been reported to volunteers for outside incidents, including (but not limited to) conduct at other conventions, threatening or abusive behavior online, or assault.
OutWrite considers online behavior to be just as important as offline behavior. Doxing or outing, online harassment or stalking, or deliberately connecting a pseudonym with a wallet name are all considered violations of our Code of Conduct and will be treated accordingly. These actions need not occur in OutWrite-affiliated spaces in order to be considered.
We understand that at times, our members will have disagreements or interpersonal conflicts that do not necessarily escalate to the point of harassment or abuse. OutWrite will not arbitrate feuds; we ask that you please leave these conflicts at the door to the extent that you are able. If, however, conflicts escalate to the point that they 1) threaten member safety, or 2) violate our Code of Conduct or policies at the convention, volunteers may become involved.
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