Community Safety and accountability Policy
1. PHILOSOPHY: SAFETY AS PRACTICE
At Our House, we recognise that for trans and queer people and communities in South Africa, "safety" is often a privilege, not a guarantee. The body has frequently been a site of policing, violence, and extraction.
Therefore, this Policy is not merely a list of rules; it is a practice of care. We are building a temporary utopia where the autonomy of the body is absolute. We distinguish between Safety (physical and emotional security) and Comfort (the absence of challenge). We are here to be challenged artistically, somatically, and holistically, but we are here to be safe physically and emotionally.
Our Core Mantra: My body is my house. I hold the keys.
Scope and Applicability: This policy applies to all Our House activities, including the Culture and Education Programmes (Classes and Workshops) and Events (Balls and Functions). It is binding for all organisers, facilitators, judges, media, security, staff, guests, participants, and audiences.
2. FOUNDATIONS: THE THREE PILLARS
This policy rests on three non-negotiable pillars that apply in every context:
2.1 CONSENT
Consent is not a checkbox; it is a continuous conversation.
F.R.I.E.S. Standard: Consent must be Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific.
The Ballroom Context: Ballroom is not a contact sport. In the heat of a battle or performance, bodies move close. However, touching is never part of the choreography unless explicitly agreed upon beforehand.
2.1 BODILY AUTONOMY
Each person has the fundamental human right to make independent decisions about their own body without coercion, violence, or discrimination. We champion this.
Expression: Participants are encouraged to explore the sensuality in categories like Sex Siren and Body. This expression of sensuality is a reclamation of power. It is never an invitation for sexual advances, commentary, or non-consensual touch.
Gender: You are the sole authority on your gender. Pronouns and chosen names are to be respected immediately and without debate.
2.3 MUTUAL ACCOUNTABILITY
We move away from "policing" towards "community keeping." Safety is everyone's responsibility. We prioritise calling in (education and growth) for minor infractions, and calling out/removal for threats to safety.
3. HOUSE RULES: CODE OF CONDUCT
The following rules apply to both the Culture and Education Programmes and our Events.
3.1 ZERO TOLERANCE (IMMEDIATE EXPULSION)
The following behaviors result in immediate removal from the space and the programme:
Sexual violence or harassment.
Physical violence.
Possession of weapons.
Outing a participant (disclosing their gender or sexuality) to outsiders/family without consent.
Infringing on a participant’s Human Rights as laid out in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
3.2 COMMUNITY STANDARDS
Shade vs. Slurs: Ballroom culture relies on "shade" (witty critique). However, shade that relies on racism, colourism, ableism, xenophobia, or transphobia is hate speech, not culture.
Substance Use:
Culture and Education Programmes: Strictly sober space.
Events: Controlled environment. Intoxication that threatens safety will be managed via the Decompression Space.
The "Dressing Room" Rule: Changing spaces are sanctuaries. No photography, video recording, or lingering in changing areas.
4. MEDIA AND MOBILE PHONES
4.1 MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Only pre-vetted photographers/videographers (wearing designated “MEDIA” armbands or lanyards, as assigned by Our House ) are permitted to photograph, film and record at our events.
No other person may photograph, film or record.
Our House shall be the sole custodian of all media related products emanating from the event in an effort to manage and protect the dignity and integrity of all present.
4.2 MEDIA CONSENT
All participants shall have the right to opt-in or opt-out of being photographed, filmed and recorded.
Each participant shall be provided with clear identification to indicate their choice.
4.3 MOBILE PHONES
We are creating a space that is as safe as we can possibly manage. We are also cultivating a space which requires our community and spectators to be present and engaged.
No person may film, photograph, or record at our events, with the exception of accredited media persons, as assigned by Our House.
We encourage all participants to be present, be in community, and celebrate the wonderful humans walking the runway.
5. CONTEXT-SPECIFIC PROTOCOLS
5.1 CULTURE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES (CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS)
Correction vs. Violation: Facilitators must ask permission before touching a participant to correct posture or pose. (e.g., “May I touch your shoulder to adjust your alignment?”)
Feedback: Critique the performance, not the person. (e.g., "Sell the confidence" vs "You aren't sexy").
Look, Don’t Touch: Audience members and peers may cheer, snap, and judge, but they may never touch a performer during a walk without prior consent.
5.2 EVENTS (BALLS AND FUNCTIONS)
The "Guest in Our House" Rule: Spectators are welcome, but they are guests in a space centered on Black and Brown trans and queer bodies. The safety of the participants on the runway takes precedence over the entertainment of the crowd.
Decompression Space: A designated quiet space, separate from the loud music and action, will be provided and staffed.
Crowd Dynamics:
Look, Don’t Touch: The audience is strictly prohibited from touching participants on the runway. "Praise" does not authorise physical contact.
Consent on the Runway: If a participant engages the crowd, it is a performance choice, not an invitation for the crowd to grab them. Explicit consent is required for contact.
Catcalling vs. Cheering: We encourage noise (chanting, snapping). We have zero tolerance for slurs, misgendering, or sexually predatory comments.
Battle Safety:
Battle Consent: By walking a category, participants consent to the proximity of other walkers. However, touching without permission is never part of the choreography unless explicitly agreed upon beforehand. Intentional physical harm results in immediate disqualification and potential ban.
Judges' Boundary: Judges hold power. Judges may not touch participants during a walk unless explicit consent is given by participants and even then, it must be professional and appropriate. Propositions from Judges to participants in exchange for status/wins are grounds for a permanent ban from judging future Our House events.
6. PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING HARM
6.1 DESIGNATED SAFETY ROLES
Safety Marshals: Designated, identified individuals present at every event. They are community de-escalators, not security guards.
House Parents: The primary point of contact for participants within their "House" structures.
6.2 REPORTING MECHANISMS
Tap Out: A physical/verbal signal to a Safety Marshal for immediate intervention.
Decompression Space: A private sanctuary staffed by a first-aider/peer support for immediate regulation, including managing intoxication and incidents of harm.
The Digital Box: An online form for reporting incidents after the fact.
6.3 ACCOUNTABILITY PROCESS
For non-violent boundary crossings, we use a 4-step process:
Pause: The harmful behavior is stopped immediately. The parties are separated.
Assessment: Safety leads determine if this is a matter of ignorance (needs education) or malice (needs discipline).
Accountability: Acknowledgement (The person who caused harm must admit to the specific action), Impact: (They must listen to how that action affected the other person, without defending their "intent), and Repair (They must agree to a specific change in behaviour).
Re-Integration or Removal: If the person accepts accountability, they are re-integrated with monitoring. Refusal or failure to take accountability will result in their expulsion to protect the collective.
6.4 FOR EVENTS (BALLS AND FUNCTIONS)
We recognise the unique nature of hosting public events that centre Black and Brown trans and queer people. As such the following additional safety procedures shall be in effect at our Events:
Level 1: Discomfort (Non-Emergency)
Example: Unwanted staring, accidental misgendering, "messy" shade.
Action: Safety Marshals intervenes, educates, and separates parties.
Level 2: Harassment (Serious)
Example: Touching without consent, persistent slurs, refusing to stop filming, violence.
Action: Immediate ejection from the venue. Banned from future events.
Level 3: Crisis (Emergency)
Example: Physical fight, medical emergency, overdose.
Action: The following protocol will be strictly observed:
Music stops immediately ("Lights Up").
Crowd cleared to the perimeter.
Designated First Aider/Medic takes lead.
House Parents secure their "children."
Police are only called as a last resort if there is a weapon or life-threatening situation, due to the community's sensitive relationship with law enforcement.
7. COMMITMENT
By participating in any Our House activity, whether as an organiser, facilitator, judge, media, security, staff, guest, category participant or audience, you agree to:
Do no harm.
Be responsible for your actions, as well as the energy you bring into the space.
Practice consent that is freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific.
Centre the safety of trans and queer people and communities.
Hold one another mutually accountable.
Respect and act in accordance with the rules and protocols laid out in this policy.