Policies

The best way to become a part of our community is to: attend non-sexual events like classes, meetups and game nights. When people see you being involved, they can build trust with you over time; Offer to volunteer or coordinate events; join the discord and be part of the conversation For In person events: That's a tough question, but from our observations and experiences, here are some tips: Try to avoid: • Interrupting people who are busy talking, playing, or doing stuff • Staring or making comments about strangers' bodies • Making assumptions about people • Injecting yourself into situations and groups that you were not invited to join • Meeting anyone with intention. We are here to be humans together, not to have sex, date, fall in love, or find a harem. That stuff happens naturally when you are in a community in which you have earned trust. • Kink-shaming. Your YUCK may be someone else's YUM. If you're not into it, don't watch. Things to try: • Introduce yourself with a question about something relevant and at hand ("That's a beautiful color for a rope, did you dye it yourself?) • The reason we have so many different events is so everyone can find a common passion or hobby to connect over. Find something you enjoy and do it with us! • Approach conversations with an open mind • Read the room and the people around you. This can be difficult for some humans. Looking at faces, observing body language, listen to their tone of voice and choice of language can give you a clue of how someone feels about you • Accept "No" and any variation thereof, as a complete answer • Be helpful, clean, and contribute to the community • Be curious about people. Asking relevant questions can open up great conversations • Be YOUR SELF and ACCEPT others for being themselves. Authenticity will take you anywhere you want to go. If some people don't like you, that's their problem • Keep your opinions to yourself if they are not positive, uplifting, helpful, or relevant to the situation Always avoid: • Touching anyone without their consent • Come up behind people when they don't know you are there • Not asking for people's pronouns, mis-gendering humans • Making any assumptions about a persons motivations or desires • Talking about anyone behind their back or to others • Believing information or rumors about someone without going to the source

If you are engaged in sexual activity with others, regular testing and communication with your partners should be a priority. After communication about your and your partners status, everyone can make an informed decision about the level of risk they are willing to take. You are responsible for your own protection against STI's or other transmissible infections or conditions. • To read Planned Parenthood's guide about testing, click here. (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-care/our-services/std-testing-and-treatment) • To read the CDC's most recent statistics on STI's in the U.S. (https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2022/default.htm)

We have a dark quiet space in our front room for any decompression and sensory shut out you need.

If for any reason, you feel unsafe, afraid, or suspicious, notify or ask a friend to notify a staff member in a BVC Logo Tee or Badge, or a Security member wearing a neon shirt. Reasons could be- that you see a fire risk, were touched without consent, someone is creeping you out, equipment is broken, you need to be walked to your car- anything in which you feel your safety is at risk.