Ethics of Practice

Queers Discuss is a group for anyone who identifies as a queer woman or non-binary person. The aim of the group is to create a safe space where we can openly discuss life-centred topics, learn from and support each other, and foster community.

Each week there will be a one-word topic, allowing for the conversation to be open to various interpretations. We will discuss a wide and diverse range of topics – for instance, conceptions of home, purpose, shame, and many others. Participants will also be able to suggest one-word topics for future sessions.

In order to ensure that our members* feel safe and able to engage in vulnerable conversations, Queers Discuss will take the following stance: There will be no place for hate speech, intimidation, violence, or discrimination against anyone in the group on the basis of age, disability, race, class, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, or trans status. 

The facilitator's duties involve being the primary discussion moderator for the group every week and ensuring that the Ethics of Practice is respected by members. The group is governed by seven founding members who are responsible for the functioning of the group, including running the group’s social media and website, organising the meeting space, responding to member concerns, and ensuring the Ethics of Practice is upheld.

This group is founded on the following principles, and participation in the group signals an agreement to abide by this Ethics of Practice. The rules of the Ethics of Practice apply to all members and facilitators alike.

1. As indicated above, respect and safety are integral to the success of this group. Therefore, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and hate speech, especially transphobic comments, in this group. 

2. In the event hate speech and/or discrimination occurs, the facilitator together with the founding members can make a decision based on the nature of the comment made or action taken to either:

• ask the individual to make a formal apology to the member(s) as well as restate their commitment to the Ethics of Practice. This will be done in a manner and setting that the member(s) are content with, and we would encourage the affected member(s) to speak to the founding members and/or facilitator about the best way to proceed. If the formal apology cannot be given within one week of the occurrence in the manner discussed with the facilitator and/or founding members (without a valid reason for why this cannot be carried out within one week), then they will be asked to no longer attend the group. If a formal apology is made in a way that respects the affected member(s), this will be the first warning. Any subsequent offence will result in permanent removal of the member from the group. 

• remove the individual from the group and bar them from access to future meetings.

3. To allow all members to participate, we ask that everyone be conscious of how long they speak for, and to allow those who have not yet spoken the opportunity to speak first. The facilitator has the right to respectfully ask a member to wrap up their remarks.

4. However, we should be mindful that some members may require more time to articulate themselves, and we should always be respectful of each other's needs.

5. We should listen to what the person speaking has to say and not interrupt them; nor have individual conversations while a member is addressing the group; nor make non-verbal gestures that would signal disrespect towards the speaker (e.g., eye-rolling, inside jokes about other members).

6. We will respect the group facilitator and understand they have the responsibility to do the best they can to help the group abide by the principles of this Ethics of Practice.

7. In the event that the facilitator violates the terms of this Ethics of Practice, they will be held to the same procedure as members (see point 2). Until the situation is resolved, the facilitator will step down from any facilitation duties, and their ongoing position as a facilitator will be reviewed. 

8. If members find an issue with how the facilitator has handled a situation or with facilitation more generally, they are welcome to reach out to any of our founding members, who will ensure there is a timely conversation between the facilitator and the member(s) submitting the claim.

9. If any member wishes to amend the Ethics of Practice, they can send any suggestions to queersdiscuss@gmail.com. The proposed suggestion will then be discussed in a group with members, and voted on face to face in the next two sessions as well as posted via an online poll (e.g., Google/Microsoft Polls) in the group’s WhatsApp to determine whether it should be written into the Ethics of Practice.

10. To ensure the safety of our members and to continue to foster a respectful environment, if members arrive after the 8:00 pm start time, they will not be allowed entry.

*Members are individuals who have attended at least one session.