Social Media Community Rules
These Community Rules apply to all of EPOA’s social media channels, both public and private, including those reserved only for members.
1 Be kind and courteous
We’re all in this together to create a welcoming environment for all of Europe’s Pride organisers. Let’s treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but courtesy is required.
2 No hate speech or bullying
Make sure everyone feels safe. Bullying of any kind isn’t allowed, and degrading comments about things like race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated. We don’t tolerate threats of any kind, including legal threats that should be in private, if necessary at all.
3 Respect everyone’s privacy
Being part of this group requires mutual trust. Authentic, expressive discussions make groups great, but may also be sensitive and private. What’s shared in private groups should stay in the group.
4 Trust
We all have made a commitment to our movement. To fulfill the responsibilities of our role in the organization, to support our colleagues, and to further the mission of EPOA. With that commitment, we make a choice to trust one another. We will trust that each person is here to further EPOA’s work in their own way and that collaboratively we can accomplish our goals. We will be open and transparent about our views, feelings and personal values as they relate to our work.
5 Respect
Every one of us comes from different life experiences, abilities, skill sets, privileges and perspectives. We commit to being respectful with one another at all times. This includes respecting different opinions than our own.
6 Accountability
We are all accountable to one another and should be honest, open and transparent in all our dealings with each other.
7 Diversity
EPOA includes people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics. We commit to celebrating this diversity in the European Pride movement, our team and our member organisations. We will refrain from any form of racism, ableism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, interphobia, or other identity-based discrimination or judgement.
8 Multiculturalism
We are an international organization and therefore will have many people from different cultures and ways of life on our team. Our personal culture is complex and is not defined only by our locality or nationality. We commit to being open to learning from each other and acknowledging that we will approach things differently than others on the team. We make a commitment to embrace, acknowledge and celebrate our cultural similarities and differences.
What happens if the Rules are breached?
In the first instance, the person or group engaging in the behaviour that is against the rules will be asked to stop.
If they don’t, they may be removed temporarily, usually for one week. This is at the discretion of the President or the Communications Coordinator.
In serious cases, or cases of repeated breaking of the rules, the removal may be permanent. This will be by agreement of the EPOA board. A member organisation may always add an alternative member to the channels.
Any appeal against the decision of the Board can be appealed to the next AGM.