A woman in Vancouver was denied access to a "2SLGBTIAQ+-friendly" outdoor theatre because her hair violated the venue's "Code of Conduct Cultural Appropriation policy."
This video is THE BEST. It's like a real life SNL skit. So many nuggets of gold, too — from the "blue haired manager" to Crystal calling herself "a retard" and then following it up with "I can call myself whatever I want." Every time I watch it I feel I catch something new.
Many questions in the replies about how the Birdhouse's "Cultural Appropriation Policy" works exactly.
So detailed, elaborate, and thorough, it has to exist as its own policy, nested within the larger "Code of Conduct Policy."
Here is that policy first—(and yes, this is real):
So detailed, elaborate, and thorough, it has to exist as its own policy, nested within the larger "Code of Conduct Policy."
Here is that policy first—(and yes, this is real):
BIRDHOUSE CODE OF CONDUCT!
We have a zero tolerance policy for physical or verbal violence in the space.
1. Consent is Mandatory:
Always obtain explicit consent before engaging in any physical contact or interaction with another person, including performers and staff. Respect personal boundaries. If someone expresses discomfort or asks you to stop, do so immediately.
2. Zero Tolerance for Oppressive Behaviours:
We have a strict zero-tolerance policy for any form of oppressive behaviour, including but not limited to misogyny, racism, body shaming, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any other behaviours or attitudes that contribute to an unsafe or unwelcoming environment.
Use inclusive and respectful language. Avoid making assumptions about other people’s genders and pronouns.
3. No Cultural Appropriation:
We are an anti-racist space, and we do not tolerate cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation refers to the nonconsensual wearing or utilising of culturally significant and/or sacred elements of a culture that you do not have ancestry or genuine, meaningful relationships within. Cultural appropriation, especially in relation to consumption, profit, capitalism and social capital is a form of theft and causes harm to marginalised communities. Please refrain from wearing others' cultures as costumes or fashion. This includes avoiding the use of traditionally black cultural hairstyles if you do not identify as Black or Black mixed race. We ask that attendees do not attend events if they have culturally appropriative hairstyles or clothing on. Please respect the need for Birdhouse staff to approach people who they think may be causing harm with cultural appropriation. For full policy see here: docs.google.com/document/d/1Jw…
4. No Harassment:
Harassment against staff or other guests will not be tolerated at the Birdhouse. Harassment includes verbal or physical abuse, threats, derogatory remarks, inappropriate jokes, taunts about appearance or beliefs, unwanted attention, intimidation, bullying, or any behaviour that creates an uncomfortable environment for another person.
5. Help Create a Safer and Inclusive Space:
We ask that guests take responsibility for understanding their own privileges, and how their actions may impact others. Be mindful of how you take up space, both physically and verbally. Foster an atmosphere of respect and consideration for all attendees.
Help us uphold our values around inclusion and mutual respect by maintaining open-mindedness towards others’ cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds. Refrain from making assumptions or judgments based on someone’s appearance. Treat all individuals with kindness and respect.
7. Be Respectful of Staff:
Please treat our staff with dignity and respect. Remember that this is their workplace, and that they are equally as deserving of a safer, respectful, and inclusive experience as guests are. Ongoing mistreatment of staff will result in a warning, removal from the venue, and you may not be permitted to return.
8. Report Incidents:
If you witness or experience any violations of this code of conduct, please report them to venue staff or security. We are committed to addressing concerns promptly and ensuring the safety and well-being of all attendees, artists, and staff.
By attending events at The Birdhouse, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. Failure to adhere to the Guest Code of Conduct may result in a warning, or removal from the venue, and you may not be permitted to return.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us make the Birdhouse a welcoming and inclusive space for all!
We have a zero tolerance policy for physical or verbal violence in the space.
1. Consent is Mandatory:
Always obtain explicit consent before engaging in any physical contact or interaction with another person, including performers and staff. Respect personal boundaries. If someone expresses discomfort or asks you to stop, do so immediately.
2. Zero Tolerance for Oppressive Behaviours:
We have a strict zero-tolerance policy for any form of oppressive behaviour, including but not limited to misogyny, racism, body shaming, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any other behaviours or attitudes that contribute to an unsafe or unwelcoming environment.
Use inclusive and respectful language. Avoid making assumptions about other people’s genders and pronouns.
3. No Cultural Appropriation:
We are an anti-racist space, and we do not tolerate cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation refers to the nonconsensual wearing or utilising of culturally significant and/or sacred elements of a culture that you do not have ancestry or genuine, meaningful relationships within. Cultural appropriation, especially in relation to consumption, profit, capitalism and social capital is a form of theft and causes harm to marginalised communities. Please refrain from wearing others' cultures as costumes or fashion. This includes avoiding the use of traditionally black cultural hairstyles if you do not identify as Black or Black mixed race. We ask that attendees do not attend events if they have culturally appropriative hairstyles or clothing on. Please respect the need for Birdhouse staff to approach people who they think may be causing harm with cultural appropriation. For full policy see here: docs.google.com/document/d/1Jw…
4. No Harassment:
Harassment against staff or other guests will not be tolerated at the Birdhouse. Harassment includes verbal or physical abuse, threats, derogatory remarks, inappropriate jokes, taunts about appearance or beliefs, unwanted attention, intimidation, bullying, or any behaviour that creates an uncomfortable environment for another person.
5. Help Create a Safer and Inclusive Space:
We ask that guests take responsibility for understanding their own privileges, and how their actions may impact others. Be mindful of how you take up space, both physically and verbally. Foster an atmosphere of respect and consideration for all attendees.
Help us uphold our values around inclusion and mutual respect by maintaining open-mindedness towards others’ cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds. Refrain from making assumptions or judgments based on someone’s appearance. Treat all individuals with kindness and respect.
7. Be Respectful of Staff:
Please treat our staff with dignity and respect. Remember that this is their workplace, and that they are equally as deserving of a safer, respectful, and inclusive experience as guests are. Ongoing mistreatment of staff will result in a warning, removal from the venue, and you may not be permitted to return.
8. Report Incidents:
If you witness or experience any violations of this code of conduct, please report them to venue staff or security. We are committed to addressing concerns promptly and ensuring the safety and well-being of all attendees, artists, and staff.
By attending events at The Birdhouse, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. Failure to adhere to the Guest Code of Conduct may result in a warning, or removal from the venue, and you may not be permitted to return.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us make the Birdhouse a welcoming and inclusive space for all!
And here, for your convenience, is the policy-within-a-policy.
It has two titles and is extremely detailed — (and yes, it is also real):
Cultural Appropriation at The Birdhouse (Newest Version)
The Birdhouse Cultural Appropriation Policy
Overview
The Birdhouse is committed to creating an anti-racist environment. We recognize that racism does not only present itself in the form of slurs, hate speech and physical violence, but that it can often show up in more covert ways through microaggressive behaviours such as cultural appropriation.
Cultural appropriation is the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of culturally significant and/or sacred elements of a culture's aesthetics, or practices by members of another typically more dominant group that does not have an ancestral connection to the culture. Cultural appropriation, especially in relation to consumption, profit, and social capital is a form of theft and causes harm to marginalized communities.
Cultural exchange is different from cultural appropriation. When different cultures come together on an equal footing, exchange happens. When dominant groups take from an oppressed group, we’re dealing with appropriation. Additionally, it is not the same as assimilation, which is when marginalized people adopt elements of the dominant culture as a survival tactic where their differences are persecuted.
Cultural appropriation typically results in the applause or celebration of the ‘appropriator’, in contrast with the persecution or mockery of those who have practiced the customs culturally and historically.
Intentions
To make clear our firm stance against racism in all its forms
To provide a safe and inclusive space for racialized community members
To recognize the ongoing harm caused by cultural appropriation
To uplift the voices and concerns of racialized folks, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+
To establish clear and non-negotiable guidelines around participation in our space
To use our platform and privilege to continually hold space for conversations around racism, microaggressions and cultural appropriation
The Process
The Birdhouse policy on cultural appropriation is shared on our online ticketing platforms so as to provide attendees with an opportunity to review said policy before arriving at the event.
If an individual shows up at an event wearing a culturally appropriative hairstyle, clothing item, etc. a member of the Birdhouse team will approach them to engage in conversation.
given the noise levels of our events, this could mean stepping outside or into a private area
The Birdhouse team member will explain or offer a reminder of this policy to the individual
without making assumptions about the person’s race
and giving the individual an opportunity to respond, clarify or express their feelings
In the event that the individual does not choose, or is not able, to remove the culturally appropriative hairstyle or clothing item, they will be asked to leave the space for the remainder of the event
The individual is welcome to return to the venue on a different occasion provided they are no longer engaging in cultural appropriation.
The Birdhouse is committed to the ongoing education and the unlearning of racism, as such, we are open to continuing conversations, outside of the space, with those who do not understand the policy or our decisions.
Additional Information
The Birdhouse recognizes that cultural appropriation is a complicated issue. As such, all conversations around cultural appropriation will be approached with compassion, respect, and space for growth, while still retaining the severity and integrity of the above guidelines.
We encourage those engaging in cultural appropriation to resist instincts of defensiveness, knowing this conversation is not personal, but rather, a societal pattern. Calling in cultural appropriation is an exercise of community accountability and growth.
It has two titles and is extremely detailed — (and yes, it is also real):
Cultural Appropriation at The Birdhouse (Newest Version)
The Birdhouse Cultural Appropriation Policy
Overview
The Birdhouse is committed to creating an anti-racist environment. We recognize that racism does not only present itself in the form of slurs, hate speech and physical violence, but that it can often show up in more covert ways through microaggressive behaviours such as cultural appropriation.
Cultural appropriation is the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of culturally significant and/or sacred elements of a culture's aesthetics, or practices by members of another typically more dominant group that does not have an ancestral connection to the culture. Cultural appropriation, especially in relation to consumption, profit, and social capital is a form of theft and causes harm to marginalized communities.
Cultural exchange is different from cultural appropriation. When different cultures come together on an equal footing, exchange happens. When dominant groups take from an oppressed group, we’re dealing with appropriation. Additionally, it is not the same as assimilation, which is when marginalized people adopt elements of the dominant culture as a survival tactic where their differences are persecuted.
Cultural appropriation typically results in the applause or celebration of the ‘appropriator’, in contrast with the persecution or mockery of those who have practiced the customs culturally and historically.
Intentions
To make clear our firm stance against racism in all its forms
To provide a safe and inclusive space for racialized community members
To recognize the ongoing harm caused by cultural appropriation
To uplift the voices and concerns of racialized folks, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+
To establish clear and non-negotiable guidelines around participation in our space
To use our platform and privilege to continually hold space for conversations around racism, microaggressions and cultural appropriation
The Process
The Birdhouse policy on cultural appropriation is shared on our online ticketing platforms so as to provide attendees with an opportunity to review said policy before arriving at the event.
If an individual shows up at an event wearing a culturally appropriative hairstyle, clothing item, etc. a member of the Birdhouse team will approach them to engage in conversation.
given the noise levels of our events, this could mean stepping outside or into a private area
The Birdhouse team member will explain or offer a reminder of this policy to the individual
without making assumptions about the person’s race
and giving the individual an opportunity to respond, clarify or express their feelings
In the event that the individual does not choose, or is not able, to remove the culturally appropriative hairstyle or clothing item, they will be asked to leave the space for the remainder of the event
The individual is welcome to return to the venue on a different occasion provided they are no longer engaging in cultural appropriation.
The Birdhouse is committed to the ongoing education and the unlearning of racism, as such, we are open to continuing conversations, outside of the space, with those who do not understand the policy or our decisions.
Additional Information
The Birdhouse recognizes that cultural appropriation is a complicated issue. As such, all conversations around cultural appropriation will be approached with compassion, respect, and space for growth, while still retaining the severity and integrity of the above guidelines.
We encourage those engaging in cultural appropriation to resist instincts of defensiveness, knowing this conversation is not personal, but rather, a societal pattern. Calling in cultural appropriation is an exercise of community accountability and growth.
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