Purpose

A safer space is a place where people can fully and comfortably participate without fear of being harassed or discriminated against because of their race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, age, or physical or mental ability. 

 

No space can ever be 100% safe for all people because everyone’s requirements to feel safe are different. Using the term “safer space” also reflects the fact that discrimination and harassment can and do occur even in spaces where norms, policies, and procedures have been put in place to prevent such behavior, and that the work of increasing safety is an active process that should never be considered “done.”

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Extent

These policies are primarily meant to address behavior and situations within Under the Umbrella Bookstore (including inside the store, immediately outside the store, and at on-site and off-site events, as well as on our social media platforms). 

 

We must also consider how people who have caused harm outside of our space may or may not be involved here. However, there are limits to what we as a small organization can do to address behavior that has not happened here or that we have not witnessed and may not be fully informed about. 

 

We encourage you to reach out to hello@undertheumbrellabookstore.com if you have any concerns about someone who has caused harm having access to our space. We believe in restorative justice and reports will take into consideration any steps for redress that were offered to the harm-doer and what the outcome was. 

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Community Agreements

By entering Under the Umbrella Bookstore (including the space outside the store) and/or participating in our in-person or virtual events and activities, including our social media, you agree to abide by the following guidelines:

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• Respect peoples’ opinions, beliefs, experiences, and differing points of view.

• Respect everyone’s identity and background, including pronouns and names. 

• Do not make assumptions about identity, including gender identity, sexual preference, survivor status, economic status, background, health, etc.

• Respect everyone’s physical and emotional boundaries. Physical and/or verbal threats will not be tolerated at Under the Umbrella Bookstore under any circumstances. Disruptive individuals will be asked to leave.

• Respect store policies, such as wearing a mask.

• Be responsible for your own actions; be aware that your actions have an effect on others, despite what your intentions may be. Listen and change your behavior if someone tells you that you are making them uncomfortable.

• Be aware of your prejudices and privileges and the space you take up.

• Do not bring weapons into the store.

• Respect this space as a sober space: do not bring drugs or alcohol into the store.

• Recognize that this list cannot be exhaustive and staff and official volunteers are empowered to create and enforce rules that are consistent with this policy and the store’s mission statement.

 

Privacy and Confidentiality

We understand that not everyone who comes into the store is “out” or comfortable being seen at the queer bookstore. The bookstore will never post pictures of individuals in the store without their verbal and/or written permission. We ask that others respect this policy as well and will enforce it to the best of our ability. Individuals who enter the store understand that we cannot completely control the actions of others within the store.

 

Feedback

We welcome continuing discussion about and improvement of this policy. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or something that has happened at Under the Umbrella Bookstore, please approach us directly or email us at hello@undertheumbrellabookstore.com.