SafeSpaces Policy

BarCamp Philly has a long history as a safe, positive place to gather, talk and explore all kinds of interests. The community has always shown up at its best. This policy puts in writing what has long been part of the culture.

The SafeSpaces policy keeps BarCamp Philly supportive and non-threatening for everyone who takes part: attendees, presenters, volunteers, sponsors and the admin collective. Everyone shares the work of making the day welcoming.

That work starts with paying attention to your words and actions, and to how they land on other people. Oppressive behavior is any conduct that demeans, marginalizes, rejects, threatens or harms anyone because of ability or disability, activist experience, age, body size, cultural background, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, immigration status, language, nationality, physical appearance, race, religion, self-expression, sexual orientation, status as a parent, or similar factors.

What you agree to

By registering for and attending BarCamp Philly, you agree to:

• Be considerate of other people and respect their boundaries. Check in before raising topics that might be painful, such as sexual abuse, sexual experiences, physical violence or encounters with the police.
• Give a content note before sharing material that might stir strong emotions. One sentence at the start is enough. Say what’s coming so people can decide whether to stay.
• Own the effect of your actions. Impact matters more than intent.
• Stay aware of your own biases and privileges.
• Use the names and pronouns people share with you. Make no assumptions about anyone’s gender identity, sexual orientation, survivor status, economic status, background or health.
• Respect opinions, beliefs, experiences and points of view that differ from yours. Behind every opinion is a person.
• Let every session run. Disagreement is welcome in Q&A and in the hallway. Repeated interruptions, heckling, or packing a room to shut a session down count as harassment under this policy.
• Honor photo preferences. A green lanyard means photos are fine, yellow means ask first, and red means no photos or recording. If anyone asks you to stop photographing or recording them, stop. Record someone else’s session only with the presenter’s advance consent.
• Respect each person’s choice about masks. Masks aren’t required, and anyone is welcome to wear one.
• Anyone who is visibly intoxicated will be asked to leave the venue.
• Bring any discomfort to a volunteer or a member of the admin collective. Volunteers wear blue-and-white badges. The admin collective wears yellow-and-black badges. You can also email info@barcampphilly.org, during the event or after.

Sessions and the session board

BarCamp Philly welcomes sessions on almost any subject, including politics, religion and current events. Hard topics often make for the best conversations. What matters is how a session treats people. A session whose message demeans, rejects or threatens people because of any trait named in this policy doesn’t belong on the board, however it’s framed.

The admin collective reviews the session board throughout the morning and lunch. Admins may ask a presenter to retitle or reframe a session, assign its room and time slot, or remove it from the board if it conflicts with this policy. Dot votes help size rooms and shape the schedule, but they don’t guarantee a slot. Every session is held to the same standard, whatever its point of view.

If your session touches on violence, abuse or other painful subjects, add a short content note to your card and repeat it when you start. That gives people a chance to use their two feet before you begin.

When something feels wrong

Most sessions are pitched the morning of the event, so the admin collective can’t preview every presentation. Two things help.

If a session makes you uncomfortable, use the rule of two feet and leave. Nobody will take it personally.

Then tell a volunteer or admin collective member what happened. The admin collective wants to hear about problems right away, so it can talk with the presenter and act if needed.

If you experience harassment or abuse, or someone is interfering with your participation, find any volunteer or admin collective member, or email info@barcampphilly.org. A quiet room is available if you need a break. Any volunteer can point you to it.

How the admin collective responds

When someone’s conduct conflicts with this policy, the admin collective responds in proportion. That might be a quiet word, a request to stop, ending a session, or asking someone to leave the event without a refund, as the registration terms state. If safety is at risk, or someone won’t leave when asked, the admin collective calls Penn Public Safety, which staffs the venue during the event. Admins keep written notes on every incident so decisions stay consistent.

If you believe a decision was made in error, email info@barcampphilly.org after the event and the admin collective will review it.

Keeping this policy current

This policy draws on the safer spaces model developed by the Coalition for Safer Spaces. It will keep evolving with the community. Suggestions are welcome at info@barcampphilly.org.