Attendee Agreement

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ALL ATTENDEES MUST READ AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING AGREEMENTS PRIOR TO TICKET PURCHASE.

Our goal at S.I.R. Festival is to create a respectful, playful, safe environment for everyone. These agreements aim to create alignment and clarity regarding expectations and assumptions. All attendees of S.I.R. Festival are expected to uphold the standards of behavior within this document. 

NOTE: “Sex” is only a part of this festival. While sex is an integral part of our relationships, the objective of S.I.R. Festival is to educate and cultivate community and brotherhood among men who love men.

KEY DEFINITIONS

Men who love men: Includes gay, straight, bi, trans, and non-binary self-identified men.

Consent: Explicit permission or approval. This is critical in any situation that includes touch. Never assume that another person desires to be touched in a specific way – or at all. It is as simple as asking “May I….” For workshops in which   extensive touch is integral to the workshop, it is a good practice to also   check in with your partner regularly throughout the practice – “How is this   for you?”, “How are you feeling?” At all times, respect and honor your partner’s response.

Container: A defined space with explicit agreements and guidelines to protect those within it and to allow an authentic dialogue. The weekend is one container, and each workshop is its own container. In essence, the container is meant to protect those who enter it and ‘contain’ anything that happens within. When entering the event, we will have a set of agreements that defines the container for all attendees. Each workshop may have additional agreements which are meant to provide safety for all attendees.

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

• All attendees are expected to treat each other with respect and dignity. This includes refraining from any form of discrimination, harassment, or offensive behavior.
• Consent is critical. Always request consent before engaging in physical contact with another person. Respect and honor their response. Sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior of any kind will not be tolerated.
• Respect, honor, and be open to the opinions and perspectives of others. Engage in respectful dialogue.

CONFIDENTIALITY/PRIVACY

• This event is a safe space and your privacy is respected. Nothing shared within the container of this event will be shared outside this event without explicit permission in writing. 
• What is shared in the container stays within the container. Respect your fellow attendees and promote a safe environment by NOT discussing the experiences of others outside of the workshop or event.  
• Speak only from your own experience and not the experience of others.

ATTENDEE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be on time. Once the container for a workshop has been set, attendees may not be allowed to join that workshop. 
• Own your experience. Understand and honor your emotional limits. 
• Participation in any workshop or group activity is always at your discretion. Listen to your heart, mind, and body. 
• Be aware of and own your biases. Step outside of judgment.
• Open your heart to new experiences and relationships. Be playful. Let’s cultivate community and brotherhood together.
• Respect and honor the experiences of your fellow attendees. Everyone has a different tolerance, learning style, or capacity. Everyone deserves respect and dignity at all times.
• Approach with love.

SUBSTANCES

• S.I.R. Festival is a substance-free event. No substances are to be brought into or used while attending the event. 
• We would prefer that marijuana be limited or not used while onsite.
• Use technology respectfully and responsibly.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Facilitators agree to not engage in sexual activity with attendees for the duration of the festival, regardless of a previous relationship. We ask that attendees respect this agreement and not attempt to initiate sexual activity with facilitators.
• We request that attendees do not engage in sexual activity with each other while onsite. 
• Be playful but respectful. 
• Open yourself to new relationships and make an effort to strengthen community and brotherhood. You may surprise yourself. 

VIOLATIONS

• Any attendee who violates the standards of behavior outlined in these agreements will be asked to leave the event without a refund.
• Facilitators and event hosts reserve the right to take any appropriate action necessary to maintain the safety and well-being of all attendees.
• Attendees are encouraged to report violations of the Attendee Agreement to either JoJo or Evan.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

• Separate space will be available to attendees for additional support. Event hosts and facilitators will be available for emotional support throughout the event. There will be clear spaces for this to occur.
• Event hosts and facilitators are not licensed therapists, nor will there be licensed therapists on site. We expect and rely on the belief that each attendee is aware of and maintains their own mental well-being. 
• Attendees are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone as self-awareness permits. If you have any conditions that may become unmanageable during the event, we ask that you consider not purchasing a ticket.
• If at any time you feel overwhelmed, need to take a break, or need to leave the event, please inform JoJo or Evan. 
• Therapeutic assistance is not provided. In case of emergency, please see JoJo or Evan.