Consent & etiquette at community events
Every healthy community runs on a shared set of norms. None of this is complicated, and following it is how newcomers become welcome regulars. Here are the essentials.
Consent is the baseline
Ask before you touch anyone or anything — people, gear, a leash, a jacket. “Ask first” applies to conversations and photos too. Enthusiastic, specific, and reversible: consent can be withdrawn at any time, and that's always respected.
Protect people's privacy
Assume everyone is private about being there. Don't photograph without explicit permission, don't share who you saw, and use scene names. What happens at an event stays at the event.
Read the room and the rules
Every event and venue has norms — dress codes, play rules, quiet areas. Read the listing, ask a host if you're unsure, and when in doubt, hang back and observe. Hosts would much rather answer a question than manage a misstep.
Take care of yourself and others
Know your limits, negotiate clearly, and look out for the people around you. If something feels off, tell an organizer — most events have someone responsible for safety, and reporting a problem is welcomed, not frowned upon.