Queer in Canton Code of Conduct

Queer in Canton is committed to fostering a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all participants, visitors, staff, and volunteers. The Code of Conduct outlined below is designed to ensure a positive experience for everyone. Adherence to these standards is required for continued participation in Queer in Canton activities and events, as well as the visitation of the Queer in Canton’s facilities (i.e. the Queer in Canton Community Center). 

Queer in Canton participants, visitors, volunteers, and staff are expected to abide by all Queer in Canton policies and regulations while at the Queer in Canton Community Center or while attending Queer in Canton activities and events. 

Harassment or abusive behavior is defined by any conduct of this type which offends you or makes you feel uncomfortable and should be reported. Keep in mind that Queer in Canton cannot address problems it does not know about. If you think you are a victim of harassment or abusive behavior in violation of this policy, you must report your concern using the process outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to: 

Abusive Behavior and Harassment:

• Physical harassment, sexual harassment, verbal harassment, or any other form of harassment of any individual or group. 

• Offensive or vulgar language, loud or disruptive behavior, derogatory remarks, touching or engaging in unwanted contact, discrimination, or bullying.

• Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Examples include but are not limited to: offensive sexual flirtations; advances or propositions; continued or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature; graphic or degrading verbal comments about an individual or an individual’s appearance; the display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; or any other sexually offensive or abusive physical contact or gestures.

• Other harassment. Examples include but are not limited to: Repeated verbal abuse; the circulation of written material that demeans or exhibits hostility or dislike toward an individual or any of the aforementioned groups of persons; or inappropriate jokes or slurs.

• Impeding anyone from entering or exiting the building. 

• Actual or threatened violence toward any individual or group. This includes but is not limited to fighting, challenging someone to a fight, assault, physical threats, or abuse.

• All outlined abusive behavior and harassment applies to behavior at Queer in Canton’s facilities, off-site sponsored QIC activities, or when contacting participants, volunteers, or staff through phone, email, or social media regarding QIC, which is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an abusive or hostile environment.

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Other unacceptable behavior:

• Destroying or damaging any Queer in Canton facilities, equipment, supplies, or property of participants, volunteers, and staff. 

• Possession or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs at Queer in Canton’s facilities or coming to Queer in Canton’s facilities while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Possession of firearms, weapons of any kind, or dangerous and unauthorized materials at Queer in Canton’s facilities or events. This includes but is not limited to explosives, firearms, knives, replica or imitation guns, any other weapons, or items that could be reasonably mistaken for a weapon.

• Bringing pets or animals to Queer in Canton’s facilities, except for service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable Ohio laws. 

• Smoking or vaping. 

• Unauthorized solicitation, political campaigning, or commercial activity.

• Photographing or making an audio or video recording that invades the privacy of participants, visitors, volunteers, or staff or rises to the level of harassment or interferes with Queer in Canton’s operations 

• Refusal to follow instructions from volunteers or staff members. 

• Refusal to follow safety guidelines such as engagement with protestors, holding the door open for unknown persons, and answering the doorbell without approval from staff present.

• Refusal to follow privacy and confidentiality guidelines. 

The conduct listed above is not a complete list of all violations; they are merely intended to provide guidance. Queer in Canton volunteers and staff are authorized to determine what constitutes inappropriate, unsafe, or disruptive behavior. 

Consequences of Code Violations:

• Failure to comply with Queer in Canton’s Code of Conduct, policies, and regulations may result in verbal warnings, suspension from activities and events, or permanent ban from Queer in Canton facilities, events, and activities, depending on the severity of the infraction. 

• Queer in Canton reserves the right to take appropriate action to maintain a safe and welcoming environment. Queer in Canton reserves the right to remove anyone from premises or suspend anyone from activities without prior notice or warning if Queer in Canton volunteers or staff believes the person’s presence or conduct poses an immediate and imminent danger to any person or property. 

• Suspension, restriction, or permanent ban from Queer in Canton facilities and activities may occur if a participant, visitor, or community member is found to have engaged in abusive behavior, harassment, or unacceptable behavior that is found to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an abusive or hostile environment.

• The determination relating to suspension, restriction, and/or permanent ban will depend on the nature of the offense, the extent of damage or disruption caused, any history of prior infractions of Queer in Canton’s Code of Conduct, and other relevant circumstances.

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Consequence Notification Process:

• Following review of the circumstances of the violation, Queer in Canton’s Executive Director or designee will issue a written notice via email to the patron informing the patron of the duration of any suspension, restriction, and/or permanent ban that is imposed.

Consequences Appeal Process:

• Any person whose has been suspended, restricted, or permanently banned from Queer in Canton facilities and activities has the right to appeal by requesting a hearing before the Queer in Canton Board of Directors or designee, provided such hearing is requested by written notice addressed to the Queer in Canton Board at board@queerincanton.com, emailed no later than ten calendar days after the date on which Queer in Canton’s notification of suspension, restriction and/or permanent ban was delivered to the individual. Any person requesting a hearing shall have the right to appear in person if they choose.

Reporting Complaints of Harassment or Abusive Behavior: 

• Any visitor, participant, volunteer, or staff member, who feels that they are a victim of abusive behavior or harassment, should fill out a complaint form which is available here: https://tinyurl.com/qic-report-25

Investigating Complaints of Harassment or Abusive Behavior: 

• Queer in Canton treats any allegation of harassment or abusive behavior seriously. 

• Allegations of violations of this policy will be investigated in a timely and confidential manner, to the extent possible. A confidential manner means within the bounds necessary to conduct an effective investigation. Queer in Canton will take appropriate remedial and disciplinary action whenever it determines that behavior is found to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an abusive or hostile environment.

• All reports will be shared with Queer in Canton’s Board of Directors. Confidentiality, to the extent possible, will hold high priority during the investigation in order to protect the interests of those involved. 

• An investigation of all facts will determine if abusive behavior or harassment is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an abusive or hostile environment. If so, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken up to and including possible permanent ban.

• Upon receipt of the report, a subcommittee of the Board of Directors will gather information, providing a deadline for all parties involved to submit reports and/or speak with designee from the committee. 

• The subcommittee will then report out and provide a recommendation of consequence to the Board of Directors at a regularly-scheduled or special meeting. The Board of Directors will then have the opportunity to ask questions to the subcommittee. 

• Following that discussion, the subcommittee will either recommend a vote on the consequence or provide a new recommendation for the Board to vote on.

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