Anti-Harassment Policy

Introduction

Queer Soccer League (QSL) strives to be open and inclusive to all identities and does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. This policy outlines types of harassment and how to report a complaint if you are experiencing discrimination or harassment at QSL.

All players are expected to abide by this policy and ensure that prohibited conduct does not occur. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any player who violates this policy. Based on the seriousness of the offense, disciplinary action may look like a verbal or written reprimand, suspension from games, or complete expulsion.

Discrimination

It is a violation of QSL’s policy to discriminate against another player on a basis of race (including hairstyle/texture), color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or marital status. Discrimination of this kind may also be strictly prohibited by a variety of federal, state and local laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1967 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This policy is intended to comply with the prohibitions stated in these anti-discrimination laws.

Harassment

QSL prohibits harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, and will take appropriate and immediate action in response to complaints or knowledge of violations of this policy. For the purposes of this policy, harassment is defined as any verbal or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate, or coerce a player or QSL co-lead.

The following examples of harassment are intended to be guidelines and are not exclusive when determining whether there has been a violation of this policy:

  • Verbal Harassment: includes comments that are offensive or unwelcome regarding a person’s national origin, race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, appearance, disability, gender identity or expression, including epithets, slurs, and negative stereotyping.

  • Nonverbal harassment includes the distribution, display, or discussion of any written or graphic material that ridicules, denigrates, insults, belittles, or shows hostility, aversion, or disrespect toward an individual or group because of national origin, race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, disability, sexual identity, marital status, or other protected status.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and is prohibited under QSL's anti-harassment policy. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature. 

Sexual harassment may take different forms. The following examples of sexual harassment are intended to be guidelines and are not exclusive when determining whether there has been a violation of this policy:

  • Verbal sexual harassment includes unwelcome innuendos, suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, lewd remarks and threats, or requests for a sexual favor (this includes repeated, unwelcome requests for dates).

  • Nonverbal sexual harassment includes the distribution, display or discussion of any written or graphic material, including calendars, posters and cartoons that are sexually suggestive or show hostility toward an individual or group because of sex; suggestive or insulting sounds; leering; staring; whistling; obscene gestures; content in letters, notes, e-mails, photos, text messages, tweets and Internet postings; or other forms of communication that are sexual in nature and offensive.

  • Physical sexual harassment includes unwelcome, unwanted physical contact, including touching, tickling, pinching, patting, brushing up against, hugging, cornering, kissing, fondling, and forced sexual intercourse or assault.

Courteous, mutually respectful, pleasant, and non-coercive interactions between players that are appropriate and welcomed by both parties are not considered to be sexual harassment.

Applicability

For the purposes of this Policy, sport and/or workplace harassment can occur in the following places: 

  • Sporting events, competitions, pickups, games and training sessions.

  • Sport-related social functions.

  • Business functions of QSL such as meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops.

  • Through any form of communication device/system including but not limited to telephone, email, text, fax, websites, postal service.

  • Any formal or informal location where the harassment of a person is a result of their sport related involvement. 

Notwithstanding this Policy, every individual who experiences harassment or discrimination has the right to seek assistance from the appropriate levels of government related to provincial and federal law. 

Confidentiality

All complaints and investigations are treated confidentially except where disclosure is required by a disciplinary or other remedial process or where required to disclose by statute. The identity of the complainant may be revealed to the parties involved during the investigation, and QSL leadership will not tolerate any retaliation against the complainant during or following the investigation.

Complaint and Investigation Process

Contact QSL Founder & CEO Hannah Kelley regarding any harassment or discrimination concerns.

In all discrimination concerns. In all reported instances, a prompt, thorough, fair investigation will take place ensuring the privacy of all people involved.