SPECTRUM’s goal is to create a safe and confidential environment in which participants feel that their contribution (especially disclosing their experiences and feelings) will be respected.
To that end, we ask participants:
- to treat all people with civility, respect, integrity and fairness
- to respect the confidentiality of those in the group
- to abide by the principles, values and laws accepted by Canadian society
- to be mindful of the amount of time that they are speaking, so that other participants have the option of time to speak
- to engage in respectful dialogue with regard to racial, sexual, political, religious or government policy; racism and sexism will not be tolerated
- to avoid interrupting people
- to avoid making generalizations about groups of people in the rainbow community since this might leave some participants feeling marginalized or judged
- to avoid making assumptions about the gender identity or sexual orientation of participants; they will disclose this themselves if they wish to; also avoid asking trans folk intrusive questions – about hormone therapy or surgery.
- to avoid suggesting that there is one correct way of behaving or living – for example, by giving unrequested advice to participants
In order to provide a safe environment for all, we ask that participants refrain from using, possessing or distributing alcohol or recreational substances at Spectrum or during our programs and events.