Family Week Community Agreements

Our values

Family Equality and COLAGE affirm all people and celebrate our different and intersecting perspectives and identities including, but not limited to, age, culture, ability status, ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family composition, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, body size, and citizenship status. We are continually taking steps to become more supportive and accessible organizations that value diversity and incorporate justice and equity into all of our actions and policies. We know that such an effort takes intentionality and feedback and that it is an ongoing process. Thank you for your continued support. 

Family Equality and COLAGE work to advance these values with a shared vision: that all LGBTQ+ families and people with an LGBTQ+ parent, caregiver, or family member live in communities that fully recognize, respect, protect, and value them.

Family Equality’s Values: Our values are the guiding tenets of the organization. They are timeless, enduring, and intrinsically important. Our core values support the vision, shape the culture, and reflect our identity. Crucially, they reflect how we strive to go about our work and conduct ourselves. These values include: Pride, Joy, Collaboration, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy, Love, and Courage. You can read more here.

Community Agreements

Family Week is a time when we celebrate, value, and respect the diversity of our community and our families. In the spirit of equity and accessibility for all participants, we ask attendees, participants, vendors and sponsors to commit to the following guiding values:

respecting identities

  • Be respectful of all families attending Family Week and the right to self-identify. This includes religious identities, gender identity, etc. Please don’t make assumptions.

power and privilege

  • Be aware of your privileges (gender, racial, size, economic, language, family structure, ability) and share space generously. 

  • Recognize that everyone has multiple and intersecting identities, and some may not be visible to you.

consent

  • Ask people of all ages for permission before taking their pictures or including them in your video. "Photo-Shy" badges are also available at registration for any attendee who does not wish to have their photo taken. COLAGE attendees can indicate on their registration form if they do not want their photo taken, and the COLAGE photographer will avoid taking photos of those attendees.

  • Ask for consent before hugs, high-fives, and other forms of physical contact.

    • Tip - Giving options can be very helpful! Ex: “Do you want a hug or a high five?” instead of just asking “Do you want a hug?”

  • Abuse, bullying and harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Harassment can include sexual harassment or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.

gender inclusivity

  • Ask everyone for their name and pronouns (not just the people you assume to be trans/nonbinary), and offer your name and pronouns as you are comfortable. If you don’t know a person’s pronouns, use their name and/or they/them pronouns until you confirm with them. 

    • Tip 1 - Instead of gendered terms like “ladies and gentlemen,” “sir/ma’am,” and “boys and girls,” please use gender-inclusive language. Examples: “friends,” “grown-ups,” “kiddos,” “children,” “partner,” and “family”

    • Tip 2 - If someone you have known for a while asks you to start using a different name and/or pronouns for them, respect their request.

  • Listen to transgender and gender non-conforming people’s needs and stories when they are volunteered, but also respect privacy and boundaries by avoiding unnecessary questions. 

    • Examples of what not to ask/say:

      • “Is that your real/birth name?”

      • “Wow, I would have never known you were trans!”

      • “Have you had the surgery?”

  • If you mess up and accidentally misgender someone, the best thing you can do is correct yourself, apologize, and move on! 

accessibility

  • Everyone has a right to use the accommodations that they need. Do not assume someone’s ability status, gender, or individual needs. 

  • Service animals are working - please do not pet them, feed them, interact with them, or ask about their purpose. 

  • When speaking to someone using a sign language interpreter, address the person you are speaking with, not the interpreter. If an interpreter is not present, you can use pen and paper or a cell phone to communicate through text to ask the person their preferred method of communication. 

 What to do if the Code of Conduct is not followed

If you have questions, concerns, or need assistance regarding these Community Agreements or issues of access, please contact a Family Equality or COLAGE staff member.

For Family Equality inquiries, you can contact Sarah Hyde (she/they), Director of Program Events.

For COLAGE inquiries, you can contact Angel Martin (they/them), National Program Director.

Family Week values all individuals and attendees globally. We sincerely thank you for your continued awareness, understanding, and support of our agreements and values. Enjoy your Family Week celebration and we hope you create amazing family memories!