Code of Conduct

At Qweerty Gamers, we are committed to building an inclusive, affirming, and respectful community where LGBTQIA+ developers, creators, and games can thrive. We recognize the lived experiences of marginalized individuals, and we strive to foster an environment where everyone feels safe, heard, and valued.

This Code of Conduct outlines the behaviors expected of anyone engaging with Qweerty Gamers, including volunteers, staff, board members, and community members, both in-person and online.

Our Philosophy

As queer gamers, we know what it feels like to be overlooked or mistreated. That’s why we actively work to make space for each other and hold ourselves accountable. If you are approached about this Code of Conduct, please understand that our goal is growth. We believe in learning from our mistakes and treating feedback as a gift.

Expected Behaviour

All members of the Qweerty Gamers community are expected to:

Respect identity and pronouns. If you’re unsure of someone’s pronouns, ask respectfully. If corrected, thank the person and use the correct pronouns moving forward.
Avoid tone policing. Do not dismiss or invalidate someone’s feelings because of how they express themselves, particularly when discussing harm or oppression.
Accept feedback with openness. Criticism, when offered in good faith, should be approached with humility and reflection, not defensiveness.
Be inclusive and kind. Demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing language or behavior will not be tolerated.
Practice active listening. Do not dominate conversations or speak over others, especially in group or voice settings.
Look out for one another. Alert a moderator or staff member if you see someone in distress or violating this Code of Conduct.

Unacceptable Behaviour

The following behaviors are considered harmful and are not permitted within Qweerty Gamers spaces:

Marginalizing lived experiences. Do not dismiss or speak over members of marginalized groups (e.g., BIPOC, women, trans and nonbinary people, disabled individuals) about their own identities and experiences.
Harassment and aggression. This includes rage-quitting games, attacking others in chat or voice, and creating a hostile atmosphere.
Unwelcome sexual behavior. Do not share sexual jokes, memes, or messages that make others uncomfortable.
Defamation or targeted hostility. Avoid sustained public attacks on individuals, organizations, or creative works, particularly when based in personal grievance.

Creative Expression & Personal Content

We believe in the importance of creative freedom, nuanced storytelling, and personal voice. Our community includes streamers, artists, game developers, and critics who explore a wide range of themes, including difficult or divisive topics.

Qweerty Gamers supports the right of all to engage with games or content that may be controversial, provided this is done in good faith and not to promote hate or harm.

This includes, for example:

Playing games with problematic creators or lore, while acknowledging those concerns
Referencing or exploring political or historical figures whose legacies may be debated
Creating or engaging with satire, critique, or experimental work

We do not expect all community members to agree on all topics. However, we ask everyone to engage with respect, context, and empathy. Calling in is always preferred to calling out.

If a member's personal content raises concerns, we encourage private dialogue and education over public shaming.

Reporting

If you experience or witness any violations of this Code of Conduct:

All reports are treated seriously and confidentially. We investigate issues with care and prioritize the safety of those impacted.

Scope

This Code of Conduct applies to:

All Qweerty Gamers volunteers, staff, board members, and community members
All spaces we manage or host, including Discord, Twitch, events, and online communities
Anyone publicly representing or associating themselves with Qweerty Gamers

Last Updated July 18th, 2025.