The
Emerald City
Statement of Purpose and Code of Conduct
Purpose:
The purpose of the Emerald City is: to serve as a vehicle through which individuals can achieve their total identity, to create a safe environment where people involved in or interested in transgendered living can comfortably and safely socialize, to create an atmosphere of mutual respect in which those people can express themselves, to help those people wishing to go out in public as the opposite sex, and to educate the public on their lifestyles and thereby gain public acceptance for transgenderists’ individuality.
Cross-dressers, transsexuals, transgenderists, their spouses and their significant others are all welcome as members and at events. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not criteria for exclusion from membership. Emerald City (EC) is a social organization but not a dating club. EC is not a counseling service.
Code of Conduct:
Because there are so many misconceptions about transvestism and the other cross-gender lifestyles, we need to be especially careful of our behavior in public. We have adopted this code of conduct to guide our behavior to insure that we overcome misconceptions and ill-will. In particular, we wish to be welcome in reputable public places, jointly and severally, and have learned that to be welcome, we must fit in. With education comes understanding; with understanding comes acceptance.
This code of conduct for members of EC serves to define elements of communication, demeanor and security inside and outside the organization. This code aims both to guide us toward acceptable interaction with each other and the community and to caution against errors of speech and action that may cause discomfort to other members or that may bring discredit to our organization. All members are expected to know this Code of Conduct and to help each other and their significant others to follow it.
1) Names: We use the name preferred by each member regardless of how they are dressed. If a member switches names with clothes, we switch as well. If a member prefers one name only, we use only that name. The pronouns “he” and “she”, and their case derivatives, will always coincide with the name.
2) RESPECT: We respect the dignity of all people regardless of race, religion, nationality, biological sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, social role, presentation skills, economic status, political affiliation or age.
3) PRIVACY: We respect-the privacy and anonymity of members at all times. In particular, we never seek to discover a member’s legal name, phone number, street address, place of employment or any other personal information that might serve to identify the member other than how the member presents him herself. Any member wishing to divulge personal information about him or herself to another member does so at his or her own discretion. A member may only divulge his or her own identity information and no such information about another member. Such information provided to the EC officers for mailing lists, etc., will be held in strictest confidence.
4) MAIL: We never send mail to another member without the permission of that member. We address and package such mail as directed by the recipient. Members who share their address with others do so at their own discretion.
5) PHONE: We never phone another member without the permission of that member and then only at times requested by the person called. We never give out another member’s phone number. Members who give out their own phone number do so at their own risk.
6) VISITS: Outside of EC activities we meet only by prior arrangement. We never drop in on other members cross-dressed. If we meet accidentally in public, we make sure we do not compromise the other person.
7) ATTENDANCE: Some EC activities involve more public exposure than others. Members should choose activities that match their confidence and presentation skills.
8) GUESTS: The EC welcomes prospective Members. Members are encouraged to bring guests, particularly those who might become Members, to sample and enjoy the events of “The Emerald City”. Members shall exercise discretion in inviting guests. Members shall interview guests, preferably in person, before issuing invitations to attend events of “The EC”. Host members shall physically accompany their guests at all events and shall be responsible for the conduct of their guests at the events. Members who invite more than one guest to an event are encouraged to enlist the assistance of other Members to share the responsibilities as host. Bylaws and the Code of Conduct shall apply to guests. Guests shall be educated on the Code of Conduct and Bylaws by the host Member. Other Members shall assist in the process of guidance when necessary. Members are encouraged to share in the welcome of guests.
9) APPEARANCE: We dress at EC activities so as to blend in with the setting and the other people present. We do not dress for shock value at group events. Furthermore, when at a group event we appear and present ourselves as either one sex or another. We do not dress to shock, offend or titillate. The operative word is to blend. Each member and guest must practice good physical hygiene so they will not be offensive to others.
10) BEHAVIOR: We strive in all ways to reflect credit on ourselves, on other members, and on our organization. We stress responsibility in our financial and business dealings with merchants, officials and other organizations. Members who dress as women should conduct themselves like ladies when so attired. This includes their language, posture and dress, which should be chosen to fit the place, the occasion and age of the wearer. In particular, when using the toilet in the Ladies’ Room, use it like a lady, i.e. in the seated position with the seat down and leave it down when you’re finished. When visiting merchants who serve our community, be sure to reflect credit and honor on our community.
11) PHOTOGRAPHS: Members should expect photos and video tapes will be taken at group events, so if you do not want your picture taken, you need to say so. Any member taking pictures must respect ally other member’s desire to not be photographed. When you plan to take pictures you should announce that intention so anyone desiring to be left out of the photos can make that known. Respect others’ privacy when showing photographs and videos and discussing the group with people who are not part of the club. Be careful not to show photos or say things that could give away a member’s identity.
12) MUTUAL RESPECT: Because EC is open to people of varying gender identities and sexual orientation, varying interests and varying degrees of comfort with public exposure, we must always respect one another’s preferences in those matters.
13) MUTUAL.SUPPORT: At club events, especially Open Meetings, members are expected to help make new members and prospects feel welcome. We should all be willing to help one another with advice on make up and clothing. Such advice should be given tactfully and supportively, rather than critically.
14) ALCOHOL AND DRUGS: Abide by local laws. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted in the meeting hall. Members and guests who come to meetings or events intoxicated will be invited to leave. Intoxicated behavior may be grounds for denial of membership. Repetitive occurrences will result in expulsion of a current member from the club.
15) CLUB FINANCES: Membership dues and advance payments for events should be made promptly.
16) PUBLICATIONS: Be discrete in your use of group publications, especially newsletters and the vendor’s list. Discretion is a must when you use these resources. Businesses have other customers who might not be as tolerant of our pastime as the proprietor. For first visits, call ahead to learn the preferred protocol.
17) REPRESENTATION: Only officers or members delegated by the board can represent the organization or commit to actions or fiscal obligations.
18) WELL BEING OF THE CLUB: Members should show respect, by words and actions, for the other members of Emerald City Social Club by not making threatening or litigious statements, in order to assure the present and future well being of the organization as an entity that is here to provide the stated purposes for the Members as well as members of the community as a whole.
19) EXPULSION: Members can be expelled from EC by the board of directors for failure to abide by this code or for bringing discredit upon the organization or the transgendered community in general.
Finalized by the committee and presented to the EC board 2\13\l 997