Studio Allegory is a space for the exploration of kink, intimacy, and sexuality. We provide this space for all people, especially those who have historically not had access to that exploration and those who support those groups. As such a space we rely on the good will and good intentions of all those who visit and/or participate. To make it easier for you, we have compiled a little list of policies to guide interactions and behaviours at Studio Allegory. Please have a look at the following house rules and policies:
Policies
Depending on the situation, incidents may result in anything from a warning, expulsion from the event to a total ban from Studio Allegory.
- Anti-Discrimination policy. Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated at Studio Allegory. Discrimination doesn’t always operate along visible and obvious lines. We understand it rather as any type of action, utterance, or other behaviour that explicitly or implicitly causes division between groups of people on the basis of perceived difference.
- Anti-Harassment policy. Harassment of any kind is not tolerated at Studio Allegory. We understand harassment as a behaviour, including a single action, that is offensive, disturbing, or humiliating, and is directed towards an individual or a group of individuals.
- Anti-Abuse policy. Abuse of any kind is not tolerated at Studio Allegory. We understand abuse as any action, utterance, presentation or other behaviour, that is geared towards the limitation of an individual’s freedom of choice or the causation of physical and/or psychological harm.
- Audio and video recordings. Audio and video recordings as well as photos are only permitted with the full consent of everyone recorded. If any participant feels uncomfortable with the presence of a recording device, we will ask everyone to refrain from recording. Participants who are uncomfortable with the use of such devices can speak to designated space holders or facilitators in private and the facilitator or space holder will announce a ‘no device’ rule for the event. If anyone asks a participant to stop the use of a recording device that request must be respected immediately. (*There is exception to this policy if a device is being used for translation or accessibility purposes, or if the event is specifically advertised as a photography/recording event, in which case devices may be present but only those who have consented to being recorded will be in frame.)
- Incident report policy. We acknowledge that incidents of all kinds do happen, and we rely on the involved people to report incidents so that we can both address the incident and prevent similar issues in future. Incidents can be communicated to a designated spaceholder or facilitator.
House rules
Treat the space like the house of your best friend and you want to maintain that friendship.
- Please keep the noise level at a reasonable level. We play ambient music throughout events and opening hours. A good guideline is if you can’t hear the music, it’s too loud.
- Consent! Each and every interaction between individuals at Studio Allegory must be based on consent. This means that the individuals do everything they can to assess the potential risks, physical and psychological, associated with the activity they are pursuing and to disclose everything that might be relevant for the other person before engaging in that activity. Consent is a difficult pursuit, please reach out to a designated spaceholder or facilitator if you would like support.
- Do not comment on other people’s bodies, activities, interactions, or scenes unless directly asked for a comment. That includes seemingly positive comments.
- Do not enter other people’s activities, interactions, or scenes unless explicitly invited to do so.
- No clothes or accessories that depict, glorify or indicate sexism, racism, ableism, or homo- and transphobia
- No shoes in the workshop/practice area. Please keep the dirt from the street away from the surfaces you and others come close to. (Clean, ‘indoor only’ shoes with soft non-marking soles are welcome.)
- No perfumes or strong scents! Studio Allegory is a scent reduced space to accommodate people with allergies and sensitivities.
- Intoxication. No! Just no. No participation, no refund.
This stems from a three-fold concern: First, your waiver is not ‘legal’ if you are intoxicated. Second, your consent is not reliable if not given sober and non-coerces. Third, your judgement is not sound when impaired. - Covid and other Infections. If you are feeling sick, showing any symptoms of illness, or have tested positive for Covid 19 or other similarly transmissible infections, please refrain from coming to any event until you are past the infectious period (check bccdc.ca) or have been cleared by a health care provider. If you have a ticket for an event and can’t participate, we will transfer your ticket to a similar or the same event later. Notice of sickness must be given before the event for a ticket change.
- Mobile phones. Please put your mobile phones on silent! Vibration is also a sound. Please refrain from talking on the phone on premises. For phone camera use, see the point Photo/Video policy.
- Clothing (no full nudity). Please wear whatever feels comfortable for you. Unfortunately, we cannot allow nudity.
- No SOP (sex on premises).