Code of Honour

As a participant in the Toronto Poetry Slam and other Toronto Poetry Project events, I agree:

1. To revel in an environment in which freedom of speech, self-determination, and pursuit of creative excellence are inalienable rights.

2. To participate in all TPS events in a way that encourages, illuminates and supports established standards of good sportsmanship. To refuse to allow the competitive challenge of the game to lead me to violence, interference, or direct threats. To allow all participants to pursue their craft peacefully and without censure, regardless of present associations or past personal history.

3. To comply with local, provincial and federal laws pertaining to individual civil rights and physical or sexual harassment.

4. To abide by competition rules as defined by speakNORTH (formerly Spoken Word Canada) and the Toronto Poetry Slam, knowing that the consequences for breaking the rules exist and are upheld. Penalties will be determined by the severity of the infraction, and the ruling of the presiding emcee and, where applicable, the presiding protest committee.

5. To be a fair poet--one who in competition is fair and generous, one who in any connection has recourse to nothing illegitimate; a poet who in defeat demonstrates grace and in victory, magnanimity.

6. To be an aware poet. People often write from a place of raw emotion, brutal honesty, and vulnerability. They are feeling things and sharing those things with us. Be aware of what your personal boundaries and limits are - act accordingly. Step outside, turn off your computer camera, take a break if you need to. No one will fault you for taking care of yourself.

7. To be a considerate and respectful person - don’t be sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or any other kind of jerk. We also have very little patience for –ists and –isms parading as edgy humour. While we are an open mic, we do not tolerate hate speech or intimidation on or off stage. We can hear you if you’re talking while someone is performing (online or in person). Please be respectful.