GRL Code of Conduct

(rev. 09/2024)

 

GRL was created to highlight the best in our genre and to celebrate what we all bring to the table as authors, readers, publishers, audiobook performers/narrators, editors, cover artists and other industry and creative professionals. As a team, we all work together to create and celebrate the genre we all love: LGBT romance.

Only registered attendees are allowed admittance to any/all official retreat events. Exceptions to this require express approval by the Organizers. Violators will be permanently banned from attending GRL in the future.

Lanyards must be worn at all GRL events.

We did not create GRL as a vehicle or venue for attendees to settle personal grievances/grudges or harass others. This type of behavior is unacceptable and unwelcome at our event. We expect all attendees to set aside any and all personal issues while attending the Retreat and be civil and respectful to one another. We recognize that everyone is entitled to their opinions and we have no desire to dictate when or how those opinions are shared outside of GRL Retreat. However, we do take exception when those opinions, intended or not, result in a person(s) feeling unwelcome or unwanted at GRL and/or tarnish what we've tried so hard to nurture over the years. Our Retreat is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone. Therefore, anyone who participates in any type of negative or divisive behavior while attending or in association with the Retreat, for any reason, may be permanently banned from attending future GRL events.

 

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Verbal/written comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion.
  • Flaming or any other form of suggestive or direct hostile online behavior.
  • Sustained disruption, forced confrontations or heckling during Panels, Q&A's, Book Readings or any other event.
  • Inappropriate physical contact
  • Unwelcome sexual attention
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

 

Additional Forms of Unacceptable Behavior:

  • Per our contracts with the hotel, no outside food or alcohol can be served or otherwise allowed/permitted during GRL events.
  • If you are banned, that means you the person, are banned. Not the email address or online account. Should you attempt to register under a different name, you will be banned on site from attending the events.
  • No loud or disruptive noises (yelling/shouting, loud cell phone or speakerphone conversations, use of a bullhorn, audio at high volumes, etc.) during any retreat and/or author events, unless previously approved by an Organizer.
  • Using any retreat-related groups and social media avenues to promote unofficial or unsanctioned events and excursions not affiliated with GRL is strictly prohibited at all times. Any such posts will be deleted without warning.
  • Reported social media threads or blog posts that take place outside of the retreat which display a perceived attempt to threaten, harass or publicly shame anyone while attending GRL Retreat.
  • Individuals who show aggression or raise their voices as a way of communicating their dissatisfaction, will be permanently banned from attending GRL in the future. This sort of disrespectful and unprofessional behavior will no longer be tolerated.
  • For GRL, social media is a forum for interacting and building relationships. As such, the GRL Facebook page and groups are intended solely as a vehicle for attendees to get to know each other and gather much-needed information on the retreat. It is not the place to air grievances, threaten or otherwise divide our community. If this occurs, the posts may be deleted and individuals may be permanently banned from attending any future GRL events.
  • If you are unable to consume alcohol and maintain a level of professionalism re: not becoming verbally abusive, violent, or unable to function without the assistance of another person, you will be asked to leave the event immediately and may be banned from attending future events.

 

Professional Courtesies

If you register to attend as an author and are unable to attend the required author events, you must notify the Organizers. If you do not, you may not be permitted to register as an author for next year's retreat.

As a courtesy to our registered authors and to those who have formally scheduled or purchased retreat events, no private or pop-up events/activities can take place at their events or while other official GRL events are scheduled. If we discover unapproved, non-retreat events are taking place during the retreat, responsible coordinators of these unsanctioned events will be permanently banned from attending future GRL retreats.

 

Enforcement

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, retreat Organizers retain the right to take appropriate actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the conference [with no refund]. Organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities.


Reporting

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible to one of the Organizers. When taking a personal report, Organizers will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other retreat staff/Organizers to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we'll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we'll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You won't be asked to confront anyone and we won't tell anyone who you are. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. We want you to be happy at our event. People like you make our event a better place. Our team will be happy to help you contact hotel/venue security, local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of the event if necessary. We value your attendance and want your retreat experience to be memorable for all the right reasons.

If an attendee is unhappy with any aspect of the retreat you are welcome to contact organizers via email to discuss any issues before and after the retreat. For your reference, Organizers can be easily identified by their black lanyards at the retreat.


Author Promotion

Attending GRL as a registered author can be demanding in both time and finances. In exchange, these individuals are granted an opportunity to promote themselves in connection with the retreat. 

We understand there are different reasons why authors attend as readers, especially those attending for the first time. However, it is with the help of our registered authors that we are able to bring the retreat to you each year. So we ask that you respect their commitment and investment as well as our retreat rules and focus author-related promotional efforts to only those individuals officially attending the retreat as registered authors.


Use of GRL Logo

The GRL logo and/or heart symbol/icon cannot be used without permission.