Overview

The Third Coast International Audio Festival is dedicated to providing safe, equitable, accessible, supportive, inclusive, and intentional spaces for all participants. This code applies to all of our programs, whether virtual or in-person. We take this code of conduct seriously, and strongly encourage participants to follow and respect this Code of Conduct.

• We do not tolerate discriminatory language or behavior on the basis of actual or perceived: gender, sexual orientation, ability, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment or violence in any form, including but not limited to: sexual harassment, deliberate intimidation, stalking, coercion, groping, or sexual assault. (See the full list of what constitutes harassment below.)
• We strive to address any unwelcome harmful, oppressive, or discriminatory behavior through policy, practice, and action. It is our policy to center the needs of the harmed party. We will work with them to determine the action that TCIAF should take to address the harm.

If someone has violated these standards or otherwise treated you inappropriately, our goal is to provide resources to you, including the option to officially report a violation to Third Coast organizers, who may respond with sanctions. Anyone who violates this Code of Conduct is subject to sanctions from Third Coast organizers, up to and including removal from this program, a report to one’s employer, or future sanctions related to Third Coast programming.

Please read through the “Resources” section below for more about Third Coast's internal and external resources.

DEFINITION OF HARASSMENT

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination
• Comments that are lewd, lascivious, demeaning, or derogatory
• Unwelcome discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
• Harassing photography or recording (audio or video)
• Sustained disruption of talks or other events
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Unwelcome sexual attention, including any specific activity for which consent was not requested and given
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

Response & Resources

THIRD COAST RESOURCES

It is our practice to center the needs of the harmed party or parties. If you witnessed or experienced a violation of this Code of Conduct, you can file an official report with Third Coast staff (if you choose). Emails of each staff member can be found in their bios on the “Who We Are” page of our website.

As always, if you have any non-urgent feedback, you can email info@thirdcoastfestival.org.

EXTERNAL RESOURCES — EMERGENCY AND CRISIS SUPPORT

If you need support beyond the resources provided by Third Coast, please refer to the following list:

• National Suicide Prevention: Provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7. Call: 800-273-8255 (English), or 800-628-9454 (Spanish)
• Crisis Text Line: Provides free 24/7 support via text to anyone having any kind of mental or emotional crisis. Text the word HOME to 741741