AWARENESS CODE

HIGH is a space created primarily for members of our community who can’t (or don’t want to) participate safely or comfortably in mainstream parties, and whose identities are marginalized in the wider techno scene; for example, folks who identify as queer women, femmes, dykes, and anyone on the trans and queer spectrum (this includes trans men, trans women, nonbinary people, and queer cis guys who want to smash patriarchy with us).

We acknowledge that different types of privilege, oppression and marginalization can intersect in people’s lives. As such we want to create a space which welcomes members of our community that experience intersectional marginalization; for example, queer and trans POC, disabled folx, aged folx, neurodivergent folx, sex workers, fat people and people with lower or unstable incomes.

To help create a space that is safer for all the members of our community we have a no tolerance policy in relation to racism, homophobia, misogyny, ableism, ageism, classism, transphobia and other forms of oppression. This includes (but is not limited to) any form of discrimination, bullying, harassment or judgement.

We ask all attendees to consider what privilege(s) they have and to be aware of how privilege and oppression exist in our society, including other queer spaces. Please help us create a safer space for us all by being conscious of your behaviour and the way it might impact others.

We as organizers can only create a space and a structure. It is up to us all, as attendees, to make it a welcoming and accessible space for each other. By attending the party, everybody is responsible for creating a safer space. This includes prioritisation of marginalized people’s safety over privileged people’s comfort. As such, organisers are responsible for taking required actions if needed but we expect attendees to take responsibility for co-creating the space with us.

If you don’t feel well or feel someone is behaving inappropriately, reach out to the HIGH crew: you’ll recognize us by a yellow and pink strap badge.

Here’s a few tips on how to create the atmosphere we hope for at HIGH:

• Respect people’s pronouns, chosen names and choices. Don’t question or make assumptions about other participants’ race, gender identity/expression, sexual/BDSM orientation, ability, age, class, relationship geometry, ethnicity, faith/beliefs or body type (these are examples and not an exhaustive list).

• At HIGH, participants are encouraged to experiment with different states of consciousness and existence. To make this possible, we would like everybody’s privacy to be respected and no distractions to happen on the dance floor. This is why photography and video recording are banned at all HIGH events and we will give out stickers to cover your phone camera at the entrance. These stickers are removable, so you can use them as privacy stickers after the party, but please don’t remove them from your phone during the party!

• To create a safer space that enables raving and transcendence, we strongly invite you to not talk loudly on the dance floor or in the dark room. We invite you to move to the bar area or to the hallway when you feel like having a chat.

To create an inclusive space that welcomes everyone, we strongly invite you to not smoke on the dance floor or in the dark room and dungeon. If you really want to smoke, please do it in the hallway or at the bar, but remember you can also go outside to smoke and get some fresh air.

• At HIGH we support and encourage active cruising in all our spaces. To signal you are (or are not) cruising and what you’re looking for, you can purchase a hanky in your chosen color at the entrance for a donation. To get an idea of what this means, look at our queer hanky code (see post). If you feel like cruising, think of your intentions while you get ready for the party so you can grab a hanky of your favorite color as you get in. This will also help avoid crowding the entrance.

• We expect all exchanges, especially in the dark room and dungeon, to be based on enthusiastic consent: the practice of awaiting an affirmative “yes” before engaging in any activities. If you approach someone and they seem hesitant, or do not give clear consent, take this as a “no” at that time. Don’t pressure anyone to any activities including cruising, sex, physical exchanges or drug consumption. And remember: if someone is too intoxicated or unconscious they cannot give consent.

• HIGH has an anti-prohibitionist stance towards the usage of substances: we know that everybody has different needs and preferences to reach transcendence and experiment with states of consciousness and won’t tell you what to do and not to do. We know you know what you’re doing, and we expect you to also know what you’re doing: get information on new substances before you try them out. If you have questions or doubts, you can talk to the HIGH crew members: you’ll recognize us by a yellow and pink strap badge. Remember that the point is the experience and the fun so please know your limits and take good care of yourself and your friends.

• In the venue where HIGH Risk will take place there are only 3 toilets available so please don’t use them for substance use. Please powder your nose in the bar area. If you have questions or doubts, you can talk to the HIGH crew members: you’ll recognize us by a yellow and pink strap badge.

• If you feel someone is behaving inappropriately, reach out to the HIGH crew: you’ll recognize us by a yellow and pink strap badge we are all going to wear. We will not tolerate racist, ableist, sizist, transphobic, femmephobic, misogynist, sex work phobic, ageist behaviour and language and will ask folks who behave in these ways to leave. Although we will aim to do this as kindly and respectfully as possible, we reserve the right to remove someone without explanation. Examples of behaviour that might warrant this include (but are not limited to) behaving in a way that disregards consent or making repeated unwanted advances on someone.