The NYC Satire and Humor Festival is committed to providing a safe environment at our events for all attendees. This includes, but are not limited to: venue staff, writers, industry professionals, moderators, volunteers, staff, media, and members of the general public.
We believe in an experience free of harassment, discrimination, and threatening or disrespectful behavior. It is all of our responsibility to give this environment to each other.
So, by attending the festival, you are agreeing to abide by the following values and Code of Conduct:
APPROACHABILITY
You will welcome the festival’s theme of accessibility, and be open to speaking to people you don’t already know. We want everyone to leave with a fistful of introductions, contacts, and a good feeling about the community. If you see someone who seems alone or nervous, say hi! If you’re an anxious person, let a staff member or volunteer know, and we’ll stand by you and hold a few conversations! Many events have designated hosts circulating for just this purpose.
RESPECTWe at the Satire and Humor Festival have a zero tolerance policy toward behavior that is harassing, intimidating, or threatening.
Harassment may take a number of forms. It includes behavior which is offensive, threatening, intimidating or degrading. Behavior that purposefully makes someone feel uncomfortable, threatened, or in danger is considered to be harassment. Behavior includes actions and verbal and written comments.
Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to: unwanted sexual or violent approaches or comments, unwanted physical contact, stalking, following, racial slurs, ableist, homophobic, queerphobic and transphobic comments, the taking of photographs, audio or video recordings after being asked not to do so, recording without permission, verbal threats, inappropriate statements or gestures, sustained disruption of speakers, and disrespectful comments that go beyond the boundaries of civil disagreement and civic discourse.
Any guest or attendee whose behaviour violates our respect policy will be asked to stop and cooperate immediately. Staff and security at the festival venue will remove those violating this policy. No refunds will be given. We follow Alamo Drafthouse rules, people!
In appropriate cases, the matter may be reported to the police.
For Festival workshops - these rules apply at the Magnet Training Center as well. You can also review Magnet Theater’s harassment policy
here.
CONSIDERATION AND CONSENT
You will not engage with other attendees or panelists in a way that makes them uncomfortable. That includes, but is not limited to, unwanted physical contact, monopolizing someone’s time past a reasonable length, and aggressively asking for professional contacts or favors beyond the scope of your relationship with a panelist or attendee.
Also, do everyone a solid and put your cell on silent when you’re in events.
RELATIVE SOBRIETYRemain sound in mind and body. Don’t do panels visibly drunk or high, or attend events so inebriated that you are disruptive and making people uncomfortable (see: RESPECT). We’re here for a good time, but like, a 6.5 out of 10 good time, OK?
PUNCTUALITY
GUESTS/ARTISTS: As a panelist, you will be on time for your events. Panellists and staff are expected to arrive at events at least 15 minutes prior to their commencement. If you are later than this, please contact the designated staff member listed in the event information you will be given. If you arrive after a panel or event starts, you will not be allowed on stage. This pulls focus from the work of the other speakers.
AUDIENCES/ATTENDEES: As an attendee, if you’re late, you agree to enter events with an awareness and respect for everyone else in the venue.
THANK U, NEXT
This Code of Conduct extends to all festival venues and events, as well as drinks and activities held before and after festival events. If you turn up to an event, you’re bound to the Code. If a festival guest is found to violate the Code of Conduct they will be removed from further events and banned from the festival. If festival audience, attendees, and workshop participants are found to violate the Code of Conduct, they will be banned from the festival and no refund will be given to their tickets.
Have a suggestion or an amendment for the Code? We’d love to hear from you!
This Code is inspired by the hard work of the
Nerdlesque Festival and the
Texas Book Festival. So if you like our behavioural agreement, you’re going to love attending those two festivals.
