House Rules

CSPC HOUSE RULES

CSPC AGREEMENTS AND RULES

Many of our rules and guidelines simply boil down to courtesy and common sense. We come from a wide variety of communities and cultures, and good manners are what help us all get along. Please read through these Rules and Behavior Guidelines, as well as any Release Forms you sign when you become a member.

Appropriate Conduct

All members and guests expected and required to abide by certain guidelines:

First and foremost – No Means No. If someone tells you no (whether it's a request to play or have sex or a request to just talk) please accept their "no" and move on or change the conversation. Do not ask why, or ask if they'll do something else. We are very strict about this rule.

We also do not allow touching in a sexual or sensual manner without express permission. Do not touch anyone unless you know that the touch is welcome. Again, if you aren't sure, err on the side of caution and don't touch.

Second – Read The Signs. Our space is usually laid out with areas for socializing, play that includes voyeurism and play that is semi-private. The play areas and who's allowed into them are usually clearly marked. Take the time to read ALL signs before you enter a room and if in doubt to whether you belong there, do not enter until you've asked a staff member.

Third – When in doubt, ASK. Our staff is here to help all Members and Guests. Please feel free to approach any staff member wearing a badge if you have a question or a concern or if you need assistance of any kind.

Facility Rules

These rules apply facility-wide, 24 hours a day. Regardless of which organization may be hosting a given event, or what the nature of that event may be, these rules will always apply.

• You must be at least 18 years of age to attend any events at The Center for Sex Positive Culture. Upon request by Event Staff, you must be able to present acceptable picture ID verifying your age. For US or Canadian Citizens, ``acceptable ID'' means your state or province's Vehicle Driver's License or Instruction Permit, the equivalent state or province ID issued to non-drivers, or an official USM/MM/SLC ID. For citizens of countries other than the US and Canada, it means your official passport.
• No alcoholic beverages or mind-altering substances are permitted in the building or in the parking lot. No illegal substances are permitted on the premises. Anyone appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be asked to leave.
• Offering or agreeing to any sexual service for money is strictly forbidden (including, but not limited to, prostitution and professional domination).
• Electronic Device or Cell Phone usage is prohibited beyond the cashier stations of the CSPC or on the smoking deck during paying events. This includes texting and web-browsing. Making or receiving personal phone calls is discouraged anywhere within the building or on the smoking deck. This rule also includes headsets or blue-tooth devices, pagers and PDAs. Laptop computers are allowed in the library only, unless they are being used by CSPC/FSPC Staff for CSPC/FSPC related business. All electronic devices must be silenced.
• Photographing, videotaping, and audio taping are not permitted without prior permission from the Executive Director prior to the event.
• No firearms are allowed on the premises (even if they are unloaded).
• Fire Play, Fire Cupping and Candle-Wax Play are not allowed at the CSPC without a permit issued by the City of Seattle, and obtained by the performers. Cell popping, branding and heated wax play are still allowed.
• Significant oxygen deprivation is not allowed. Covering someone's nose, mouth, or gas-mask opening is permitted as long as breath is not restricted to the point of unconsciousness. Gags, hoods, collars and other head gear are fine so long as they're not significantly impairing someone's ability to breathe.
• Intentional significant carotid artery compression is also not allowed (choke/sleeper holds, etc).
• Scat Play is not allowed.
• Certain activities must be discussed with the Event Coordinator prior to your scene. These activities include but are not limited to: Suspension, Blood or Knife Play, Takedown Resistance or “Forced” Sex Play. The Event Coordinator has the authority to approve or deny these activities. If you are unsure if your activity falls under these guidelines, ask the Event Coordinator.
• Players are expected to inform the Event Coordinator or Monitor ahead of time if they are going to engage in a loud, rough, or very intense scene. Players should also inform a Monitor of play that requires special clean up or protective procedures. This will allow the Monitor to comfort concerned observers and be prepared for possible emergencies.
• The House Safeword is “safeword”. Use of this word could result in staff intervention.
• There is NO SMOKING in the building. There is a fenced smoking area on the South side of the main space. Please dispose of ashes and cigarette butts properly.
• You must be dressed in appropriate street attire whenever entering or leaving our building, in the cashier areas of our facilities, or wherever you can be seen from outside the building. There is no loitering allowed in front of the building at any time.
• Parking is allowed in front of our building and along the south side of our building at most times. We will not be held responsible if you are towed for parking illegally. There is evening parking in the lot to the north of us. Do not park in front of the nearby businesses when they are open. Do not block ANY driveways, gates or exits.
• Only service animals are allowed inside the buildings during events.

Other Guidelines for Appropriate Conduct:

• If you wish to join a scene in progress, you must have prior permission from the participants. Do not interrupt a scene to ask to play, or for any other reason.
• While nudity and sex are allowed, we ask that you not masturbate to a scene in progress or engage in solo masturbatory play unless the rules of the event specifically allow for “solo play”.
• Unless an area is designated ``non-voyeur,'' you may politely watch what other attendees are doing, but always give the participants plenty of space so you don't interfere with or disrupt their scene. In particular, do not stand in doorways to watch scenes or carry on loud conversations close to the play area.
• You are welcome to use the shower at any time, but please clean up after yourself. If you want to “scene” in the shower, let a Monitor know.
• Remember that not everyone can tolerate strong scents and perfumes, and that some people are allergic to them. Please keep your use of scents to a minimum.
• Clean up after yourself, both in the social areas as well as the play areas. Please ask a Staff member for help if you've spilled something and need assistance in cleaning it up.
• Do not affix anything to the walls, attach anything to the ceilings, or move furniture or equipment (except chairs) without first getting permission or assistance from a Staff member. Only certified hard-points are to be used for suspension purposes.
• Whenever you are unclothed, a towel or other barrier should be between you and whatever furniture you may be sitting on.
• Safer sex is always highly recommended. We are all adults, and should know the degree of safety required for safe play. A wide variety of safer sex supplies are available free of charge, so that you will be able to meet whatever your mutually understood safer sex standards are.
• Body fluids and emissions must be properly cleaned up, and equipment must be re-sanitized after use. Cleaning agents, paper towels, etc., are all readily available, and you are welcome to ask a Staff member for assistance if you need assistance.
• When using the beds, please take the time to make the bed with a clean sheet before using it. Sheets, towels, etc should be placed in the laundry bins after use.
• If you notice anything in the space that is damaged or broken, please inform the Event Coordinator so that we can address the issue as soon as possible.
• If you feel that particular rules or guidelines are not being followed, if a person appears inadequately experienced for the type of play they are doing, or if you observe someone behaving inappropriately, then advise a Staff member of your concerns. Do not intervene on your own.

Privacy and Confidentiality

We take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Do not “out” other members without their consent. Outside of our events, and especially in public contexts or written forums, do not name names, e-mail addresses, or any other specifics that might identify another member. Within the Center, it is advised that you not reveal other people’s real names, occupations or other specifics that might put them in a compromised position in their daily lives.

Diversity and Tolerance

Membership in the Center is open to everyone, regardless of gender, orientation, play style, race, or religion. Many types of people attend our events, from many different communities within sex-positive culture, and it is important to leave our intolerances at the door. Homophobic, heterophobic, bi-phobic, gender-phobic, leather-phobic, sex-phobic, or other biased remarks and attitudes will not be tolerated. If seeing a particular type of scene makes you uncomfortable, or if there is someone at an event whom you have personal issues with (such as exes or about to be exes), then it is up to you to remove yourself from the situation. Relationship or interpersonal drama is also not tolerated.

Release Form Agreements

When you sign up for a Center membership you sign the following release form. Any guests you may bring to The Center will be required to sign the same form. It verifies your agreement to several basic conditions of attendance.

1. I am aware that any events I am attending are not shows or adult entertainment and I am attending of my own free will and for my own personal interest. I understand that I am free to leave at any time.

2. I am an adult at least 18 years of age, and I understand valid photo ID showing birth date may be required in order to gain admittance and to remain on the premises.

3. I understand that participants are acting as consenting adults in a private situation, conforming to the event Rules and Guidelines which are visibly posted at each event. All activities I engage in on premises or at other events will be done with the full and informed consent of all persons involved.

4. I understand that between consenting adults there may be sexual activity and/or acts of sadomasochism/bondage on the premises. I understand that there may be persons exhibiting full nudity on the premises. I assert that I am not offended by any of the aforementioned activity.

5. I understand that offering or agreeing to any sexual service (including, but not limited to, prostitution or professional services) for money is strictly forbidden, and I will not be a party to any such activity while in attendance. Engaging in such activity will result in my removal from the premises.

6. I understand that alcohol or other mind altering substances, including “poppers”, are not allowed on the premises. I understand that I am not to be under the influence of such substances.

7. I understand that no recording devices of any kind are permitted on the premises at any time without the express written consent of this organization; a minimum of 72 hours in advance of its intended use. Violation may result in my removal from the premises and/or confiscation of such recorded materials.

8. I am not acting in the capacity of, as a member of, or under the direction of, any law enforcement or postal agency. I am not attending any of these events for the purpose of entrapment or to gather information and/or testimony that would lead to (or further the arrest or prosecution of) the organizers of these events, the owners of the premises, or any individual attending these events.

9. I am not acting in the capacity of, as a member of, or under the direction of, any media agency. I will not publish or submit for any kind of publication information, writings, photographs, audio recordings, video recordings, or any other records of activities regarding these events, without the expressed approval of this organization.

10. I understand that I attend these events at my own risk, and that the organizers of these events and the owners of the premises are in no way responsible or liable for any damage or injury to my property or person. I understand there will be equipment and supplies available for my use, and I use any such equipment and supplies entirely at my own risk. I agree that in the event of any lawsuit, the prevailing party shall be entitled to attorney's fees.

11. I understand that each event may have its own Rules and Guidelines. I agree to read the Rules and Guidelines fully, and abide by them, at all times during each event. I understand I may be required to leave any event without refund for violations of any Rules and Guidelines.

BRINGING GUESTS

• Members of the Public, Guests of the CSPC, and Guests of Basic members must pay regular attendance fees, plus $10.
• Guests who are members of Reciprocal Organizations must pay regular attendance fees, plus $5. (Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out if your organization is on our Reciprocal Organization list)

The following rules and restrictions apply:

1. Members are required to arrive with or before their guests and the guests must depart when the member leaves.
2. Guests of basic members may attend only four events before required to become a Center member
3. Anyone bringing a guest is responsible for the behavior of their guest, and must sign off on the Guest Release Form. Please be sure your guests are familiar with our rules and be sure they have a full understanding of where they are going before they arrive (so they are making an informed choice about whether attending might be right for them).
4. All guests must show valid government issued, picture ID showing they over the age of 18.
5. Guests not escorted by a member (at an event “open to the public” or as a guest of the CSPC with permission from our Executive Director) are expected to abide by the same rules as guests of members.

Staff

On-duty Staff members can be identified by their colored Center badges. All of our Staff members are here to help you. If you have a problem or a question, you are welcome to ask one of them for assistance.

A Staff member may ask you stop an activity:

• If the staff member believes that your actions present an imminent and unreasonable danger to yourself, your partner, other members, or the property of the CSPC.
• If there is some other circumstance or outside influence that necessitates an interruption.

If a Staff member asks you to stop an activity, you must do so at once. If you disagree with the request, you are welcome to talk to the Event Coordinator, but please do not argue with the Staff member.

A Staff member may ask you to leave the premises for:

• Disobeying our rules o Refusing to produce acceptable identification or fill out a Release Form
• Disorderly conduct o Harassing another attendee
• Engaging in illegal activity.

Failure to abide by event or facility rules may also result in suspension or revocation of membership.

HOW TO GET HELP

If you have an issue with another member or a volunteer at an event, please speak with the Event Coordinator. Issues brought to the attention of the Event Coordinator will be passed along to the Executive Director or Volunteer Coordinator as appropriate. If you are unable to speak with a staff member at an event, please contact our Executive Director or our Volunteer Coordinator with any issues you feel should be addressed or brought to their attention.

CSPC staff is committed to providing the best possible experience for all of our members. Please let us know if:

• You have been touched in a nonconsensual way;
• You have been “outed” by another member;
• You are being harassed or approached repeatedly after saying “No”;
• You believe that someone at the event is intoxicated or impaired;
• You discover a broken piece of furniture or equipment;
• You feel that a member or guest at an event is in violation of our House Rules.

Please remember that CSPC Staff, Event Staff and Board Members also attend events for their own enjoyment. If you see one of us at an event and we are not wearing a badge, please try to refrain from discussing Center business with us. 

Important Contact Information:

CSPC Executive Director

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CSPC Site Coordinator

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CSPC Volunteer Coordinator

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