How to be together

EAF presents the work of a wide range of artists and hopes to be a location for engagement with critical and challenging ideas. We recognise that some subject matter can be challenging.

We encourage everyone to contribute if you would like to and we ask that you do so with an open mind, respecting views and opinions that might be different to yours. 

Respect personal boundaries and don’t assume that others have the same boundaries as you.

Be aware of the impact your language may have upon others. Avoid making assumptions about other people’s pronouns. Pronouns, like personal names, are integral to a person’s identity. Always ask others how they would like to be addressed if you are unsure.

Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, religion, class, age or dis/ability is wrong and we will challenge it.

Ask for consent to film, photograph or record others, and respect people’s right to refuse. If our photographer takes a photo of you and you would like us to delete it, please let us know. 

Support your peers if you witness any inappropriate behaviour or language being directed towards them, and please always make a member of festival staff aware if this happens.

Be respectful of our volunteers and staff, including the artists and moderators presenting at events so they can carry out their work and duties, including in relation to Health and Safety.

If you are overwhelmed and would like a quiet space, please ask a member of staff.

If you wish to discuss our themes in more depth, have concerns or feedback, please contact it to [email protected]

Safer Spaces Policy

EAF believes in the power of art to connect and transform communities. Care, support and respect are key values of EAF. As an organisation, we are inclusive of trans, non-binary, and gender fluid individuals, people of colour, older people, and disabled people.

We ask that when you join us in the spaces that we create that you respect other attendees, workers, and artists and uphold our values. At EAF, we care for and centre people, and constantly endeavour to actively oppose oppression based on, but not limited to ableism, ageism, homophobia, racism, sexism, transphobia, or prejudice based on ability, appearance, asylum status, class, ethnicity, gender, gender presentation, nationality, or religion. 

If you are subject to or witness oppressive or discriminatory behaviour, we encourage you to intervene or approach a member of staff. We will do our best to support you through the situation. 

Be mindful of others, and of our differing experiences and capacities. Do not assume the gender, pronouns, ability, or background of others, and please be aware that this and other information is personal and at the discretion of individuals to share. When it is appropriate, ask, if and when you or others make mistakes, such as misgendering someone, apologise, and correct yourself or fellow attendees. Similarly, if someone misidentifies you or someone that you know, then please correct others if you feel able to. 

We also remind you to be aware of and respectful of the social, physical and emotional boundaries of the other attendees, workers, and artists present at EAF. 

These community guidelines are in place to make EAF a space where everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and safe. 

Photography + Consent
All records including photography will happen at our events, where we will display information that the events are being recorded. You have the right to with-hold consent to being in any reporting (both written and visual) at events, and please just speak to a member of EAF staff 

Pronouns
A pronoun is how you refer to someone, for example using “she” or “they”. Please ask people what their pronouns are if you are meeting them for the first time. Use their correct pronouns, even if the words are unfamiliar to you. If you make a mistake and refer to someone with the wrong pronoun, apologise and move on.

Assumptions
Don’t make assumptions about someone’s identity and think about the ways that people from minority groups may be impacted in different ways by the issues you discuss. Be aware that your experiences are not necessarily the same as everybody else in the room. Be aware of any position and privileges you may bring regarding for example your race, your class, your gender identity, your ability or your age. Try not to make generalising statements such as ‘All women hate X’.

Oppressive Behaviour
Racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, ageism or discrimination on basis of ethnicity, immigration status, or religious, cultural, and/or spiritual beliefs, or any other kind of oppressive behaviour is unacceptable and will be challenged. Please do not use slurs that are not yours to use: e.g if you are white, do not use racial slurs, even if you are being critical of them. Please give a choice for people to interact without having to talk if they don’t want to. If someone is neurodivergent, do not criticise them if they want to talk or move when everybody else is seated quietly, and give space for people to go at their own pace.

Sexual Harassment
There is a zero tolerance policy to sexual harassment. This means no unwanted touching, including hugs, so please make sure you have consent before engaging in any physical contact with someone. This also means no wolf whistling or catcalling, and no inappropriate sexual comments or sexually based jokes, songs or taunts. If you or someone else experiences sexual harassment at an EAF-led event, please notify a member of EAF staff, who will aim to support you and intervene.

Accessible Language
Try to use clear, uncomplicated language and to avoid any acronyms, unnecessary jargon, and in-jokes. If you mention a theory or person, please give a brief description of who/what they are, no matter how well known you believe they are.

Care Considerations
Give people a heads up if you are going to discuss something that others might find upsetting. Sometimes upsetting things happen and we need to be able talk about how we deal with them as a community. It’s important to have a space where we feel able to do this, and we hope that this event will provide that. However, not everyone is able to talk about everything all the time, so let people know if you are going to talk about something potentially upsetting, such as mental illness or domestic abuse. During breaks and other less formal settings, you can also do this informally by asking ‘is it okay if I talk about X?’

Space to Speak
Please be aware that it is difficult for those belonging to marginalised groups or minority groups to participate in discussions both online and in person. Do not talk over people and try to gauge whether it is appropriate for you to speak on certain topics. Try to give less confident and quieter people a chance to speak.

Privacy and Confidentiality
We will ask everybody to respect the fact that not everybody is “out” everywhere outside of this space so if you use social media, please do not share any contact information or identifiable information of other people without their explicit consent.

Social Media
Everything in this safer spaces agreement also extends to social media, so keep that in mind when using social media.

LGBTQ+ Spaces
Our spaces are for all self-identifying LGBTQ+ people, regardless of their gender identity, trans status, queer expression or race, who want to access LGBTQ+ spaces.