Quink Fair is deeply committed to creating an active and healthy consent culture.
We are inspired by the work the Principle 11 work group has done and their consent principle, as well as the influences of the Network for New Culture.
Consent Principle: Our community values the transformative experience of consensual touch, play, and interaction by hearing and honoring the informed consent (or lack thereof) of those we interact with. We believe that consent plays a vital part in our connectivity and community. Our vision is that all parties feel empowered to participate as they feel comfortable, by “opting in” from a place of enthusiasm and autonomy.
Consent isn’t just about physical touch…
- It is also about recording someone’s voice or image. Ask every person, every time, before you take a photo, video, or otherwise record them. “I love your music, is it alright with you if I record it?”
- Consent is also about engaging in conversational topics that could be difficult. If you are connecting with someone and want to ask them about something personal or share a story that includes triggering content, ask first! “Hey, do you mind if I ask you about your…?”
Practicing good consent at Quink Fair includes (but is not limited to):
- Silence DOES NOT equal consent.
- “No” is a complete sentence.
- Receive “no” gracefully.
- Again, “no” is a complete sentence. It is not an invitation for a negotiation or discussion.
- Ask before touching, each time. Someone may be okay with being hugged or cuddled on Friday evening but not want to engage that way at lunch on Saturday.
- Consent can be withdrawn at any time for any reason.
- Ask open ended questions- for example, avoid saying “It’s okay if I hug you, right?” Instead try saying “I’d like to hug you, how would you feel about that?”