FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS: (producers, volunteers, MCs, performers, stage helpers, crew, attendees, vendors, etc.) involved in all Victoria Pride Society Events.

***Please read the entire document***

Welcome and thank you for being a part of our Pride events! Your participation is vital in creating an inclusive and vibrant experience for everyone involved. To ensure a positive and respectful environment, we ask that you adhere to the following Code of Conduct:

Our Values

Inclusivity: We embrace individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, age, ability, or socioeconomic background. Our parade contingent should reflect this commitment to inclusivity.

Respect and Tolerance: Mutual respect and tolerance are fundamental to our community. We expect all participants to treat others with respect, acknowledging and celebrating the diversity within our community.

Non-Discrimination: We do not condone discrimination or intolerance towards any individual or group based on their identity or background. Discriminatory behaviour or language is not acceptable within our parade contingent.

Why Alignment with Our Values Matters

It is crucial for all participants to share and uphold Victoria Pride Society’s values for the following reasons:

• To Ensure a Safe and Welcoming Environment: Upholding our values fosters an inclusive and safe environment for all participants, spectators, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community attending the parade.
• To Maintain the Integrity of Our Message: Our parade contingent represents our commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and GSRD rights. Alignment with our values ensures that our message remains consistent and impactful.
• To Uphold the Spirit of Pride: Pride celebrations are rooted in activism, celebration, and unity. Individuals who support our values contribute to the positive and empowering spirit of pride.

VPS is committed to operating with integrity, openness, compassion, and respect. As such:

• We provide all guests with a warm and welcoming environment in which to learn, experience, and create.
• We will operate and be governed to the highest attainable standards of transparency, accountability, and professionalism.
• We respect the topics we cover and the people whose lives we represent, and we encourage our audiences, visitors, staff, volunteers, and communities to do the same.
• We are committed to upholding our Community Policies and celebration of people of colour, artists of all ages, sizes, genders, and body types, GSRD/2SLGBTQIA+ artists and many more performers from a wide range of backgrounds.

The following guidelines will help ensure a safer space:

• Respect and celebrate the diversity of our attendees, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, age, ability, or background.
• Treat all festival participants, including staff, volunteers, and attendees, with courtesy, kindness, and respect. Discrimination, harassment, or offensive behavior will not be tolerated.
• Respect peoples’ physical and emotional boundaries.
• Get enthusiastic verbal consent first. Use coherent verbal communication to express your desires before touching anyone.
• Be responsible for your actions, and aware that they may have an effect on others regardless of original intent.
• Dispose of waste responsibly and use environmentally friendly materials whenever possible.

VPS staff, crew, volunteers, performers, hosts, vendors, attendees and everyone else involved are expected to adhere to these guidelines and be accountable for their conduct and actions during their time at any VPS Pride Events.

If an issue arises:

If an issue arises during any of the events, our staff and Safer Space Staff will be available to mediate on-site and attempt to find a solution. Staff reserves the right to ask anyone who is violating our community policies to change or address their behavior or language, or leave the event if needed. Our staff will also follow up and support the person who brought said issue to our attention during their time at the event(s).

If you are made to feel unsafe, harassed, or disrespected by anyone (staff, crew, volunteers, performers, hosts, vendors, or attendees) please notify one of our staff immediately, and appropriate action will be taken. We will have Safer Space Staff identified at the beginning of the events and will be visible throughout the events by wearing yellow safety vests. We recommend that you take the time to familiarize yourself with our Safer Space Staff should you need any help throughout your festival and other event experiences.

Please look out for each other. If you notice someone in distress please check with them to see if they need help, and you can assist them by contacting one of our Safer Space Staff. 

Lastly, If you believe you are in serious danger, please call 911 and /or find one of the security staff, and then follow up with a Safer Space Staff. 

For Vendors

As a vendor of any of the Victoria Pride Society (VPS) events, you also serve as an ambassador for all attendees at VPS events. Your business has been chosen to be a part of a VPS event, and it should reflect the values of the Victoria Pride Society as stated above.

• Promote messages and merchandise that align with the spirit of Pride, celebrating love, equality, and inclusivity. Hate speech will not be tolerated. 
• Maintain a clean and organized vending space. Dispose of waste responsibly and use environmentally friendly materials whenever possible. Minimize environmental impact by reducing single plastic use and promoting recycling or reusable products.
• Do not sell alcohol or any illegal substances as part of your merchandise.
• Conduct business in a professional manner, respecting other vendors’ spaces and all festival infrastructure.
• Address any customer concerns or disputes courteously and efficiently.

For Parade Participants

As a participant in the Victoria Pride Society (VPS) parade, you also serve as an ambassador for all attendees at VPS events. Your participation has been chosen to be a part of the VPS parade, and it should reflect the values of the Victoria Pride Society as stated above.

• Promote messages and merchandise that align with the spirit of Pride, celebrating love, equality, and inclusivity. Hate speech will not be tolerated. 
• Maintain a clean and organized parade space. Dispose of waste responsibly and use environmentally friendly materials whenever possible. Minimize environmental impact by reducing single plastic use and promoting recycling or reusable products.
• Conduct yourself in a professional manner, respecting other participants’ spaces and all festival infrastructure.

For MCs/Hosts

As a host of any of the Victoria Pride Society (VPS) events, you also serve as the public face of the organization for the time you are on the mic/stage—essentially, you are serving as a spokesperson for VPS. You address the audience as a representative of VPS, and as such, your content and demeanour should reflect the values of the Victoria Pride Society as stated above. We serve our community and welcome the active participation of its members. 

While we recognize that a significant part of the host’s role is improvisational, we ask that you refrain from jokes or comments that target persons or groups on the basis of their degree of able-bodiedness, age, body type, sexual orientation or identification, gender, race, or ethnicity, as well as any statements that minimize or mock sexual assault, abuse, or harassment.

THANK YOU!

Victoria Pride Society values the participation of all individuals and groups who align with our mission and values. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, included, and celebrated. By upholding our values, all participants contribute to the success of our Pride Events

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Thank you for your participation in Victoria Pride Society’s Event. We look forward to celebrating diversity and inclusion with you.

Thank you for taking the time to read and acknowledge our Code of Conduct. If you have any questions, please email president@victoriapridesociety.org.

 

Sincerely,

Victoria Pride Society Leadership Team