SUPPORTED GROUPS

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Also called protected groups, supported groups is intended as a reflection of who has been excluded or marginalized in our communities, and industry.

Providing a list of supported groups signals an accountability for the experiences of all people; all participants in a project, or at an event. For those who have regularly been excluded, or hurt by omission this visibility is crucial, and much needed invitation.

Below is a positive example of an inclusive statement:

We are committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of level of experience, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, personal appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, age, religion, nationality, or other similar characteristic.[^5]

At a minimum, the code of conduct should name:

• Race and ethnicity
• Gender (identity, expression)
• Sexuality or sexual orientation
• Disability (sometimes phrased as “regardless of ability”)
• Religion

Encouraged

• Age
• Experience level or job role
• National origin, citizenship, and immigration status
• Neurodiversity
• Mental health
• Physical appearance, body size
• Socio-economic status

Discouraged

• Personality traits
• Other kinds of beliefs
• Lifestyle and personal behaviours
• Political party (also see note below)

Red Flags

• The minimum requirement of supported groups is not met.
• Anything that doesn’t include specific categories of people. For example, “we’re all colleagues” or “treat others as though they were a family member or loved one”.
• Mention of political parties or beliefs. a project may aim to take an “apolitical” stance.

NOTE: Some policies may also include political parties or beliefs in this section. This is not effective because there are many kinds of political values, from social and economic inclusion, to beliefs about legal and bureaucratic processes, to ones that are about excluding or harming some groups of people. These varied political alignments do not have equal impacts.

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