Our conference is a space for learning, collaboration, growth, and supporting one another as we work to create change. We invite you to be part of a culture of respect that acknowledges and honors the differences we bring in terms of our identities and our politics, without marginalizing or tokenizing each other. We can all do this by speaking from our own experiences and being respectful of differences. Our differences can be points of strength and the many diverse identities and perspectives we hold make for a stronger and more vibrant Reproductive Justice movement.
All of us—conference organizers, presenters, volunteers and participants—bring our varied identities to the conference. JusticeNOW2024 tries to provide the accountable and accessible spaces necessary for everyone to be able to participate in conference events. We ask that all participants help us create these accountable spaces by upholding JusticeNOW2024’s guidelines. For JusticeNOW2024, creating accountable spaces where we can learn and collaborate includes the following:
- Striving to engage in open and constructive dialogue with each other
- Using “I” statements and speaking from your own experience
- Expressing curiosity about and being open to a viewpoint that is different than yours
- Asking genuine questions for understanding
- Make space, take space
Our community agreements guide how we engage, strategize, and dream together in a protected environment where we can all show up as our authentic selves.
Mask up! Do your part to keep our community safe.
Masking is one of the most important ways we can all limit the spread of COVID. KN95 masks will be available in abundance to everyone participating in JusticeNow2024, and we encourage all of our attendees to help protect themselves and each other throughout the conference with this simple act.
Transparency helps us protect one another.
There is no shame in encountering a positive COVID test. As the pandemic is ongoing, we are all at risk of encountering infection, especially when we gather in large groups. Alongside masking, please commit to doing your part to limit preventable spread by using our COVID Testing Transparency Reporting Form if you test positive during the conference, and steering clear of further in-person participation in the event of a positive test or if you become symptomatic.
Care for each other: If you see something, say something. Our team and volunteers are here to support. Report any concerns or behavior that threatens safety.
Honor gender diversity: Avoid terms that gender our comrades, like “ladies” or “queen”, without checking in first.
Be kind and respectful: Harassment, threats, and discriminatory behavior are not tolerated. This includes:
- Threats of violence
- Discriminatory jokes or insults
- Sharing explicit or violent content
- Unwanted sexual attention
Honor boundaries: If someone asks you to stop, respect that. Disagreements should be approached with curiosity and respect. Seek support, and allow our challenges to help us grow.
If you are concerned about a violation of community agreements or you feel uncomfortable with another participant’s actions, please notify JusticeNOW2024 staff or volunteers with your concerns. Less urgent comments can be shared with us via conference evaluation forms. We are invested in making sure that participants feel respected and welcome in our space at all times, and we welcome your feedback on your conference experience.
If members of the conference community feel that participants are not upholding these community norms, those participants may be asked to leave the conference.
Please be sure to read more about conference accessibility and safety.
If you have further questions, please contact us at [email protected].