In order to create a safe and supportive environment at LYRIC we ask that all youth who participate in programming agree to some community agreements.  These Community Agreements have been developed in collaboration with youth input, incorporating what is most important for everyone to feel safe.

LYRIC exists for youth.

At LYRIC every person is valued, and we try to look out for each other. As a participant, volunteer or staff member, we are all responsible for fostering a respectful and healthy environment and holding one another accountable to the following agreements. These guidelines were developed in order to cultivate safety, consistency and clarity and are meant to be the beginning of a continuous dialogue. Please read this and think about what these community agreements mean to you. If there is something that you don't understand, please ask for clarification.

Everyone Belongs: All lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth and youth who are their allies are welcome at LYRIC. We are committed to challenging and addressing ableism, adultism, ageism, anti-immigrant prejudice, anti-religious prejudice, classism, heterosexism, racism, sexism, transphobia/genderism, and other forms of oppression. Be aware of how you impact others and address conflicts peacefully.

Age Limits: In order to make sure that LYRIC is a safe place for young people, we have set age limits for each program. Most programs are open to youth 24 and younger. Some programs may have different age restrictions.

Safety: LYRIC is a violence-free zone. You have the right to be safe here. We support you and your peers in resolving conflicts in healthy ways. All physical, emotional, sexual and verbal violence or threats of harm make the space unsafe and will be addressed.
 
Substance Use: No use or possession of alcohol or non-prescription drugs in or around LYRIC is allowed. We will not search you or your possessions. There is a 10 minute limit in the bathrooms. There is also no smoking allowed in, in front of, or within 150 feet of the building. Please be respectful of our neighbors, EVRC, and Harvey Milk Elementary School by not smoking in front of those buildings and houses. Instead, you might try taking a walk around the block.

Set Limits and Respect Boundaries: Everyone has different limits and the right to set those limits for themselves. We can all keep LYRIC a safe place by respecting each other and the boundaries we set for ourselves. LYRIC’s safe word is “limit”. If you hear someone say “limit”, please treat it seriously and please respect their need for you to stop whatever it is you are doing.

Sexual Behavior: We value and respect expressions of affection, love, and friendship. We also recognize that LYRIC is a community space filled with people who have a variety of comfort levels with sexual/affectionate behavior. For this reason, many forms of sexual behavior are not allowed (for example, sexual gestures, sexual jokes, masturbation, nudity, simulated sex, grinding, heavy making out, spanking, groping, and sex); however, other forms of expression that are consensual are okay (for example, hugs, quick kisses, sitting on laps, and holding hands). Please refer back to the Maintain Safety and Set Limits and Respect Boundaries sections.

LYRIC Space: We are part of a community and a neighborhood. As participants, volunteers or staff members of LYRIC, whenever we are in the neighborhood we are representatives of LYRIC. We hope that LYRIC and all its members can be a model for the community and be leaders of change. Here are a couple of ways that you can do this: 1) Keep LYRIC clean by picking up after yourself; 2) Keep the front stairs and the front porch of LYRIC clear at all times; 3) Keep our community clean and welcoming by not littering; 4) Maintain a volume level that is respectful of our neighbors. These expectations are the same during both LYRIC hours and when LYRIC is closed.

Accountability: As a participant, volunteer or staff member, we all have a responsibility to keep LYRIC safe and treat each other in healthy ways. We are also accountable to maintain behavior that is in accordance with LYRIC’s Community Agreements. Should you behave in a way that risks the safety of LYRIC, first we will have a conversation with you about how your behavior is compromising the safety of those around you. Next we will give you a verbal warning, telling you that it’s a verbal warning. Finally, we will have a conversation with you about what consequences are appropriate if your behavior doesn’t change or if it is severe enough the first time.

Consequences: There are consequences for what we say and do. There are positive consequences for following the Community Agreements and negative consequences if you choose not to. If you behave in a way that risks the safety of the LYRIC community, we will work with you to talk about how your behavior goes against the Community Agreements and what consequences are appropriate. This can include being reminded to follow them, being asked to leave LYRIC for the day, or being suspended from LYRIC for a period of time. If a facilitator or staff member asks you to leave you must leave, even if you think they are being unfair. You can come back another day to discuss it. Some of the positive consequences of following the Community Agreements are making LYRIC safe for everyone, being able to go on field trips and being able to have dances and other large events.