Pittsburgh Freethought Community |
Pittsburgh Freethought Community
Code of Conduct
The membership and leadership of PFC encompasses individuals with diverse life experiences and views. PFC organizes and holds a variety of public meetings and activities and creates multiple opportunities for individuals to meet both in person and virtually, such as in online forums and social media. In our governance, administrative, and public activities, all participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of other participants and that encourages open dialogue and free inquiry. Passion, disagreement, and well-reasoned arguments are expected and welcomed, but rudeness, disrespect, and hostility are not.
PFC prohibits intimidating, threatening, or harassing conduct in interpersonal and virtual interactions. Critical examination of statements or beliefs does not, by itself, constitute hostile conduct or harassment. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:
Any significantly disruptive conduct, including yelling at or threatening either speakers or other attendees. Harassment of any participant based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, socioeconomic class, or any other protected group status, as provided by local, state, or federal law. Behaviors which create a hostile or offensive experience such as, but not limited to, verbal, virtual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature whether intended seriously or in jest, unwelcome sexual advances, and requests for sexual favors, and misogynistic language.
Abusive conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with another person’s ability to enjoy and participate.
Personal attacks on an individual or group based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, socioeconomic class, or religion.
Racist behavior.
Expressing hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against people based on their real or perceived sex or gender, including misogyny.
PFC has a zero-tolerance policy for hostile and harassing conduct. If a person or group engages in hostile or harassing conduct, appropriate remedial action will be taken. Such action will include an examination of the incident and context in which it occurred and consideration of steps that PFC should take to reduce the opportunity for such conduct. Additional actions may include, but are not limited to, expulsion from a specific event or online forum, or revocation of PFC membership, and prohibition of participation with PFC.
Persons who are the targets of, or witnesses to, hostile or harassing conduct should contact PFC Board members or Officers. Reports of hostile or harassing conduct will be promptly addressed.
In addition to these prohibitions, everyone involved with PFC is expected to abide by all applicable local, state and federal laws.