SAGEYou Code of Conduct 

SAGE hopes to provide a safe, warm and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ elders. SAGEYou should foster an environment for members to participate, socialize, learn, and volunteer. To ensure the comfort and safety of the community, the following applies to participants, staff, consultants, volunteers and guests who attend any SAGEYou programming. 

1. SAGE supports an individual’s right to express their chosen identity and experience. This includes respecting and using an individual’s chosen name, pronoun (e.g. he, she, they, etc.) and identities (e.g. lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, queer, etc.). Behavior or language that infringes upon this right is prohibited. Avoid questioning or challenging someone’s stated self-identity or chosen labels, even if they conflict with your own views. 
   • We will not encourage debating the rights and lived experiences of marginalized people in the community.   
   • Please refrain from making unwelcome comments regarding a person’s lifestyle choices and practices, including those related to food, health, parenting, relationships, drugs, and employment.   

2. SAGE is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome or unwanted sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Staff, consultants and participants should not be subjected to sexual harassment. There can be no gratuitous or off-topic sexual images or behavior in any spaces.     
   • If a report of sexual harassment is received, the person accused of the harassment will be subject to immediate suspension pending an investigation involving all parties and witnesses. Reports of harassment should be reported immediately to SAGE staff. 

3. Behavior, presentation, and actions which create an unsafe environment (e.g., not responding to direction by staff, verbally aggressive behavior) are not allowed. This includes communication on SAGE social media platforms.  
   • Incitement of violence towards any individual, including encouraging a person to commit suicide or to engage in self-harm, will cause an immediate ban.   

4. Actions, behavior, and language that is or may be construed as abusive, threatening, harassing and/or insulting is not allowed. SAGEYou has a zero-tolerance policy for cyberbullying. This includes any form of online harassment, intimidation, or abuse directed at individuals or groups.  
   • Absolutely no racist, sexist, cissexist, ableist or otherwise oppressive behavior is allowed, casual or explicit. This includes any harmful language, behavior, or action toward people of color, trans folks, disabled and other marginalized identities in our community. Offensive comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, body size, age, race, national origin, ethnic origin, nationality, immigration status, language, religion or lack thereof, or other identity marker will not be tolerated.   
   • Examples of cyberbullying include, but are not limited to, sending threatening or abusive messages, spreading false information, and engaging in online stalking or harassment. 
   • Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to, deliberate misgendering or use of “dead” or rejected names, threats of violence, deliberate intimidation, stalking or following, unwanted photography or recording (including logging online activity for harassment purposes), unwelcome sexual attention, continued one-on-one communication after requests to cease. 

5. SAGEYou strictly prohibits doxxing, which is the act of publicly sharing or publishing private information about an individual without their consent. This includes, but is not limited to, sharing personal addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or any other private information that could be used to identify or locate an individual. You may not publish any private communication without explicit consent.   
   • Deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent except as necessary to protect vulnerable people from intentional abuse is not tolerated.   
   • Avoid publicly calling for members to be banned, except in direct messages or private discussions with admins.   

6. Theft, which includes the use, consumption, removal, attempted removal or concealment of SAGE’s digital equipment, supplies, or any other property, or the personal digital items of any individual without verbal consent is prohibited. Defacing or destruction of digital property is also prohibited. 

7. Participants must not engage in any activities that compromise the security or integrity of the SAGEYou platform. This includes, but is not limited to, hacking, unauthorized access, or attempting to bypass security measures. Any attempts to disrupt the service, introduce malicious software, or exploit vulnerabilities will result in immediate suspension and potential legal action. Users are encouraged to report any suspicious activities or security concerns to SAGE staff immediately. 

8. Do not attend SAGEYou programming if you are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Consuming alcoholic beverages, illicit drug use, and smoking (including e-cigarettes) while attending SAGEYou is prohibited.  

9. Soliciting money or gambling is not permitted.  

10. Clothing must be worn at all times when attending virtual programming. Clothing must reasonably cover the body and be appropriate for virtual spaces.  

Please contact a SAGE staff member by completing the Contact Us form to report an incident or violation of the Code of Conduct. Alternatively, email [email protected]/.  Corrective Action for Violation of SAGE Code of Conduct Rules: 

• 1st Incident — Verbal Warning: SAGE staff or designee will address the situation and issue a verbal warning. The incident will be documented in SAGE files and a copy will be made available to participant within 5 business days.  

• 2nd Incident — Written Warning: SAGE staff will address the situation and issue a written warning. The incident will be documented, and a copy will be provided to the participant.  

• 3rd Incident — Suspension: SAGE staff will address the situation and issue a suspension in writing. Time period of suspension is determined on a case-by-case basis. The incident will be documented, and a copy will be provided to the participant.  

Depending on the nature and severity of the offense, staff reserves the right to enforce immediate suspension from SAGEYou or appropriate measures. Participants returning to SAGEYou in violation of the suspension order will have their accounts shut down. Criminal behavior is not tolerated and will be reported to the police and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.