Code of Conduct

Mission Statement

The William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which strives to promote a positive self-acceptance by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals; provide health, social, cultural and educational services to the community; and educate the general public about issues of importance to everyone in our community.

Visitor Rights and Responsibilities

In keeping with the vision of the Community Center’s mission statement, this Code of Conduct has been created to clearly explain the rights and responsibilities of all visitors. Everyone at the Community Center has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect. Everyone at the Community Center has the obligation to behave courteously and respectfully and not to behave in any manner that disrupts the Community Center, its tenants or groups hosting events at the Community Center. These user groups are responsible for monitoring and controlling the behavior of those attending their private events.

Prohibited Behavior

Engaging in the following behaviors is not in keeping with the Community Center’s mission, and may compromise the health and safety of others. Therefore, engaging in any of the following activities is grounds for immediate expulsion from the Community Center and banishment from future access and/or events:

  • Possession or use of any illegal substance

  • Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by anyone under the age of 21

  • Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by those of legal drinking age except beverages served by the organizers of a scheduled event and consumed in the space designated for the event. Organizers of events are not, under any circumstances, to serve alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21

  • Possession of any weapon except by a law enforcement officer who is authorized to carry a weapon as a part of his, her or their professional responsibilities

  • Sleeping or giving the appearance of sleeping (e.g., resting with eyes closed)

  • Sexual activity and/or sexual harassment

  • Theft

  • Physical violence and/or threat of physical violence

  • Any behavior that endangers the safety of any individual and/or group

  • Rude, discourteous or raucous behavior that is directed against any individual or that disrupts the activities and/or operations of the Community Center

  • Use of derogatory remarks centering on racial, ethnic, physical disability or sexual characteristics are explicitly forbidden

  • Hanging out in areas other than the lobby or lobby lounge (hanging out is permitted only in the aforementioned spaces for reading, socializing or gallery use when these areas have not been scheduled for other events). Access to the Community Center is permitted only for scheduled activities, designated drop-in hours and appointments. Persons may arrive no more than 15 minutes before an activity or appointment and must depart no more than 15 minutes after the activity, designated drop-in hours or appointment. Those attending an activity must remain in the scheduled location of the activity. All activities must be scheduled in advance with the facility coordinator and one or more persons must be designated as in charge of the event as per the event contracts

  • Inappropriate use of bathrooms (bathrooms are to be used for basic personal hygiene and not as dressing rooms or places to congregate)

Enforcement

  • The Community Center staff is responsible for the safe and proper operations of the Community Center. Their directions and instructions are to be followed at all times.

  • The Philadelphia Police will be called to remove any person(s) who do not obey the instructions of the Community Center staff.

  • Anyone who feels that they have been treated unreasonably by a member of the Community Center staff may call the center to request an appointment to speak with the Executive Director.