Rules of conduct
1. Privacy and Confidentiality Policy
- All participants agree to respect the privacy and confidentiality of other participants. This includes not sharing personal information about other participants without their consent.
- Participants should be mindful of the potential for discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. If you experience or witness any form of discrimination or harassment, please report it to a meeting organiser immediately.
- Participants should be respectful of other people's boundaries. If someone asks you to stop talking about a particular topic or to stop touching them, please respect their wishes.
- Meeting organizers are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all participants. We will not share personal information about participants without their consent.
2. Security Assessment
The purpose of this security assessment policy is to protect the privacy, safety, and security of all participants in the LGBTQIA+ in Astronomy Meeting.
- All participants must wear their name badges at all times.
- Participants should be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to a meeting organizer immediately.
- Participants should not share personal information with strangers.
- Participants should not leave their belongings unattended.
- Participants should be respectful of security staff and follow their instructions.
3. Emergency Plan
- In the event of an emergency, please follow these instructions:
- Remain calm and listen to the instructions of emergency personnel.
- If you are able, evacuate the building in a calm and orderly manner.
- If you are unable to evacuate, find a safe place to shelter and wait for instructions from emergency personnel.
- If you see someone who is injured or in need of assistance, please help them if it is safe to do so.
4.Preferred Gender Pronouns
- All participants agree to respect the preferred gender pronouns of other participants.
- If you are unsure of someone's pronouns, please ask them respectfully.
- If you make a mistake, please apologize and correct yourself.
- Do not use gendered language to refer to participants unless you know that they are comfortable with it.
- Do not out someone's gender identity or pronouns without their consent.
5. Communication Preference under the Colour Communication Labels
- All participants agree to respect the communication preferences of other participants.
- Participants can indicate their communication preferences by wearing a color communication label.
- The following color communication labels are available:
- a: Green: I am open to all forms of communication.
- b: Red: Please do not approach me unless I initiate contact.
- c: Yellow: I prefer to be approached with caution.
- If you see someone wearing a color communication label, please respect their wishes.
- If you are unsure of someone's communication preferences, please ask them respectfully.
6.Anti-Harassment Act (IAU)
The Anti-Harassment Act (IAU) is a policy of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) that prohibits all forms of harassment at IAU events and in IAU-related activities. Harassment is defined as any behavior that is unwelcome, discriminatory, or offensive. It can include verbal abuse, physical abuse, threats, intimidation, bullying, and unwanted sexual advances.
All participants in the NILAM are required to comply with the Anti-Harassment Act. This means that you must treat all other participants with respect and dignity, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
Examples of prohibited behavior under the Anti-Harassment Act:
- Making offensive or discriminatory remarks about someone's sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression
- Using slurs or derogatory language
- Engaging in physical or verbal harassment
- Making unwanted sexual advances
- Spreading rumors or gossip
- Taking or sharing unwanted photographs or videos
If you experience or witness any form of harassment at the NILAM, please report it to a meeting organiser immediately.
Meeting organisers will take all reports of harassment seriously and will investigate them promptly.
Meeting organisers are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all participants.
7. Safety Support
- Create a safe and inclusive space: Meeting organisers and participants alike are responsible for creating a safe and inclusive space for all NILAM participants. This means being respectful of everyone's pronouns, gender identity, and sexual orientation. It also means being aware of the potential for discrimination and harassment, and taking steps to prevent it.
- Be supportive: If you see someone who is being harassed or discriminated against, be supportive. Let them know that you are there for them, and offer to help them report the incident to a meeting organiser or security personnel.
- Be mindful of your surroundings: Be aware of who is around you and what is happening around you. If you see something that doesn't seem right, say something.
Here are some additional safety tips for NILAM participants:
- Be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut: If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, leave the situation.
- Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back: This could be a friend, family member, or meeting organizer.
- Have a backup plan: In case your original plan for getting home safely falls through, have a backup plan. This could include having money for a taxi or knowing how to get to a safe place.
- If you are harassed or discriminated against, report it to a meeting organiser or security personnel: They have a responsibility to create a safe and inclusive space for all participants.
Meeting organisers will ensure to also take steps to create a safer and more supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ participants, such as:
- Provide training to all staff and volunteers on LGBTQIA+ inclusion and safety: This training should cover topics such as how to identify and respond to harassment and discrimination, and how to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants.
- Provide safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ participants: This could include a designated safe room, or a list of trusted people that participants can go to for help if they feel unsafe.
- Have a clear policy on harassment and discrimination: This policy should be communicated to all participants and staff, and it should be enforced consistently.
By following these safety guidelines, we can all help to create a safe and inclusive environment for all NILAM Participants.
