Values and Agreements

COMMUNITY VALUE:

RESPECT

SisterSpace is an inclusive festival of LGBT+ women, non-binary (assigned female at birth) persons,  and their allies in the women’s community

WE AGREE TO:

• Treat everyone with kindness and respect regardless of their age, body, physical ability, gender identity, ethnic background, size, sexual history, etc.
• Value all voices and walks of life – amplify the voices of the softspoken without cutting each other off or shouting another person down.
• Ask questions if you are not sure you understand what another sister is trying to communicate.

COMMUNITY VALUE:

INCLUSIVITY

All self-identified lesbians, women, and nonbinary (assigned female at birth) members of the women’s community are welcome at SisterSpace. We welcome participation from women, and nonbinary (AFAB) community members of all ages, abilities, races, ethnicities and spiritual traditions.

WE AGREE TO:

• Ask for, or gently explain chosen gender pronouns. (As a long-running women’s festival, please expect to encounter a default of “she/her,” especially from elder attendees). Respect a person’s identifying pronouns to the best of your ability. If a mistake is made, correct it without focusing on it.
• Avoid jokes or comments that could reinforce negative stereotypes about a person’s ethnicity, ability, body, gender identity, language/ accent, age. Refrain from using insulting speech, name calling (including terms like TERF, snowflake, etc.) slurs or insults of any kind (even in jest) .

COMMUNITY VALUE:

BODY POSITIVITY

All bodies are celebrated at SisterSpace, regardless of size, shape, color, ability or modification.

WE AGREE TO:

• Nudity is welcome at SisterSpace. Some volunteer areas have certain clothing requirements for safety, and shoes are required in the dining hall.
• Explain body-positive culture to our children if we bring them. We will make sure they understand the human body as natural and beautiful at any size, shape, presentation, color or build or ability.
• Throw glitter, not shade! Be generous with compliments and avoid deprecating language
• Redirect any body negative behavior or comments with positivity. Use counteracting phrases like, “you/ they are beautiful, “ etc.

COMMUNITY VALUE:

CONSENT CULTURE

SisterSpace is building a community based upon consent and radical acceptance. The only way to create and maintain a safe, comfortable community space is to radically accept that some folks need time and space to determine and define their desires at their own pace.

WE AGREE TO:

• Treat (only) “yes” as “yes.” If someone says “maybe,” we consider it a “no” to any request.
• Respect each person’s freedom to choose not to participate in an activity or answer questions.
• Assume photography is not allowed unless everyone in the picture gives explicit consent.
• Keep adult-specific activity (exposed genitals, explicit sexual speech, public restraint, graphic conversations) private or in the Sexuality Space.

COMMUNITY VALUE:

INTENTIONAL SPACES

Public spaces must remain child friendly because some campers are children. Shared spaces, like cabins, require accommodations and preparations for cabin campers who will be sharing facilities.

WE AGREE TO:

• Ask permission of cabin mates before engaging in sexual activity or any loud, potentially disruptive activity
• For light sleepers, bring ear plugs and request a quiet cabin. For everyone, expect and respect reasonable requests made of us by our cabin mates and those camping near you.

COMMUNITY VALUE:

COMMUNITY

This space is made up of a wide range of people with different interests and passions. Get to know each other! Take advantage of workshops and performances. 

WE AGREE TO:

• Be curious. Ask questions and make a friend. Be present.
• Talk it out. Address conflicts with open conversation, with a mediator if necessary.
• Participate and give feedback on what we would like to see and do.