Code of Conduct

The MOLDOX Association and the Queer Voices Festival team are committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space for all participants—regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, body size, appearance, age, socioeconomic status, language, religion (or lack thereof), or any other personal identity or experience.

As organizers, we explicitly affirm our position as anti-war and stand firmly against all forms of violence, harassment, hate speech, and discrimination.

We do not tolerate the promotion, justification, or normalization of violence—whether physical, verbal, symbolic, or structural—nor any rhetoric or behavior that incites harm, exclusion, or dehumanization of individuals or communities.

This includes zero tolerance for discrimination or violence based on political conflict, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other identity marker. Our festival space is dedicated to dialogue, care, solidarity, and the protection of human dignity.

This Code of Conduct applies to all spaces and formats of the festival—film screenings, workshops, performances, discussions, online platforms, one-on-one communications, and informal gatherings.

We invite you to co-create a safer and more respectful community space where all voices can thrive.

Brave Space

Queer Voices Festival operates as a brave space. We recognise that not all spaces can and will be safe for everyone all of the time, and it is not possible to guarantee blanket safety for everyone. But we can agree on principles which create a space where participants can grow and learn while their well-being is safeguarded.

✅ Expected Behavior

• Be present, participatory, and kind.
• Show respect in your speech and actions.
• Collaborate and engage constructively—prioritize dialogue over conflict.
• Avoid assumptions about others’ identities, backgrounds, or comfort levels.
• Use people’s stated names and pronouns. If unsure, ask respectfully or check the name tags.
• Always ask for consent before physical contact, including hugs or casual touches.
• Do not photograph, film, record, publish, or share images/videos of anyone without their consent; people wearing an orange ribbon must not appear in photos or videos under any circumstances.
• If you do not wish to appear in photos or videos, wear a visible orange ribbon (available at the front desk); if you choose not to, the festival cannot be held responsible for images taken by the festival or others.
• As an international film festival bringing together people from different countries and regions, please be patient with language differences, speak clearly and at a moderate pace, and offer or request translation support when needed.
• Support the safety and comfort of others. If you notice someone in distress or a problematic situation, please report it to the organizing team or designated safety volunteers.

🚫 Unacceptable behaviour

Any behavior that compromises safety, dignity, or inclusion is not tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Harassment, abuse, intimidation, coercion, or stalking
• Disrespectful, hostile, or discriminatory language or actions
• Intentional misgendering or deadnaming
• Trolling, disruption, or aggressive debate tactics
• Unwelcome sexual attention, comments, or advances
• Non-consensual photography or recording (people wearing orange ribbons do not wish to appear in photos or videos)
• Inappropriate, sexualized, or explicit imagery in public or shared spaces
• Microaggressions—subtle but harmful forms of exclusion, stereotyping, or condescension
• Minimizing, dismissing, or invalidating others’ lived experiences
  

➕ Discrimination of any kind, including but not limited to discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, race, ethnicity, nationality, citizenship or migration status, language, religion or belief (or lack thereof), political views, disability, neurodivergence, physical appearance, body size, age, health status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, class, family status, or any other protected or personal characteristic.

Note: How your behavior is perceived matters more than how you intended it. If someone expresses discomfort or harm, please listen and adjust your actions.

We also recognize that many people—especially queer and marginalized individuals—are regularly asked to explain or defend their identities. You are welcome to ask respectful questions, but please understand that not everyone owes you answers. Designated volunteers may be available to help direct you to relevant resources or information.

⚠️ Consequences of Harmful Behavior

Anyone—including staff, participants, volunteers, and partners—who engages in unacceptable behavior may be subject to:

• A verbal warning
• Removal from the current activity or venue
• Temporary or permanent expulsion from the festival
• Referral to local authorities in severe cases
  

Organizers reserve the right to take appropriate action without prior warning if necessary to protect participants’ safety and well-being.

🆘 Reporting & Support

If you experience or witness harmful behavior, please report it as soon as possible. You can approach:

• A designated volunteer at the front desk;
• Any trusted member of the organizing team
• Or report by email to: project@queervoices.md

As members of society, we all have a responsibility to report to emergency services (112) any serious or ongoing violations of the law that we witness, especially in cases involving violence, immediate danger, or threats to life or safety.

The festival team is here to support you. We can offer listening, assistance, de-escalation, accompaniment, or connection to external services (including local authorities, if requested or required by law). All reports will be handled with discretion, care, and respect for confidentiality.

📨 Grievances

If you feel that you’ve been unfairly accused of violating the Code of Conduct, you may submit a grievance to the organizing team, either in person or via email. Grievances will be reviewed in accordance with MOLDOX Association’s internal policies.

🌍 Scope of the Code

This Code of Conduct applies to everyone: participants, facilitators, performers, guests, partners, and staff. It is valid for all spaces of the festival—in person and online—including informal and off-site interactions that occur within the context of the event.

❓ Why a Code of Conduct?

We don’t believe rules alone make people safe—but they help. A Code of Conduct isn’t about policing—it’s about redistributing the burden of safety from the most marginalized toward a shared culture of care and accountability.

We recognize that no space is free from power dynamics, but this festival strives to challenge dominant norms (cisnormativity, heterosexism, racism, ableism, classism, etc.) and hold space for discomfort, growth, and transformation.

We believe a better world is possible—and we start by building it together.