Sad Summer Festival outlines importance of consent in event rules

Sad Summer Festival unveiled the rules for the event regarding consent and their policies surrounding sexual assault/harassment.  

The festival teamed up with OurMusicMyBody, an organization that promotes people having positive and safe experiences in music environments, to make the rules. 

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The festival tweeted a link to the rules so patrons fully understand their stance on things before the event kicks off. 

The incredible folks at @OurMusicMyBody teamed up with us to create the Rules Of Sad Summer Fest. Respect each other,” they tweeted. 

The rules state that the festival has a “zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault and harassment of any kind.” 

They then go on to state examples of what is considered under that umbrella. 

“This includes, but is not limited to, intimidation, non-consensual photography or recording, stalking, physical assault or battery, rape, repeated disruption of festival events, unwelcome attention or physical contact, bathroom policing, and offensive language used as a method of violence directed at any individual due to, but not limited to, their sexual orientation, race, religion, appearance or physical attributes, disability, citizenship or nationality, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, or age.” 

They also ensure patrons that the festival staff will take immediate action in any cases that are reported in order to maintain a “fun and safe” experience for everyone. 

The rules state a few tips to help attendees have the best experience possible.

You can read those below. 

  • HAVE FUN! But in a way that doesn’t hurt anyone or overstep their comfort zone.
  • Be courteous! Other people also came to see that band, so if there’s no space ahead of the people in front of you DON’T force your way to the front. If there is space DO so politely and say excuse me.
  • Be a good friend! If you notice your friend getting overly intoxicated stick by them. Sing all your favorite songs together and make sure they stay hydrated and safe.
  • Watch out for each other! If you see someone grab, touch, or talk to someone inappropriately, tell them it’s not cool. Remind them we have rules against it. If you don’t feel safe saying something find a Sad Summer Fest staff member or member of the venue security team to report it to.

More on Sad Summer Festival

Sad Summer Festival kicks off in July with State Champs, Mayday Parade, the Wonder Years and the Maine as headliners. Mom Jeans, Stand Atlantic and Just Friends will also play all of the festival dates.

Forever The Sickest Kids, Set It Off, Every Avenue, Four Year Strong and Emo Nite will appear as special guests. Grayscale, Oh, Weatherly, Jetty Bones, Ashland, Shortly, Worriers and World’s Greatest Dad are also on the tour, having been announced most recently.

You can check out a full list of dates below and pick up the tickets for Sad Summer Festival here.

Dates:

07/05 –Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Live! *#
07/06 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall *#
07/08 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Mayday Parade, State Champs, Stand Atlantic, World’s Greatest Dad)
07/09 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (The Maine, The Wonder Years, Mom Jeans, Just Friends)
07/10 –Orlando, FL @ Orlando Amphitheater %
07/12 – Baltimore, MD @ MECU Pavilion
07/13 –Philadelphia, PA @ Skyline Stage at The Mann Center @
07/14 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium Outdoors ^

07/16 – New York, NY @ Pier 17
07/17 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony Summer Stage *?
07/19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ StageAE !
07/20 – Columbus, OH @ Express Live! Outdoor !
07/21 – Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Festival Grounds in *$
07/23 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom =
07/24 – Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom =
07/25 – Minneapolis, MN @ Myth Live =
07/27 – Denver, CO @ Sculpture Park  *+
08/03 – Anaheim, CA @ City National Grove Outdoors *

* without The Wonder Years (Dallas, Houston, Asbury Park, Pontiac, Denver & Anaheim)
$ Every Avenue & Shortly (Pontiac)
^ Four Year Strong (Worcester)
% Set It Off (Orlando)
# Forever The Sickest Kids & Oh, Weatherly (Dallas, Houston)
+ Emo Nite (Denver)
~ World’s Greatest Dad (Night 1: Atlanta)
@ Worriers (Philadelphia)
= Ashland (Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis)
! Jetty Bones (Pittsburgh, Columbus)
? Grayscale (Asbury Park)

A few weeks ago, the festival shared the list of official non-profit partners. The organizations differ by city, and you can check out the full list below.

The list of Sad Summer Festival non-profit partners by city are as follows:

Dallas – Paws In The City (no-kill animal organization)
Houston – Clinic Access (abortion access)
Atlanta – TBA
Orlando – Foundation For Foster Children (hosting a gift card drive) / Headcount (voter registartion)
Baltimore – Chesapeake Climate Action Network (fighting global warming)
Philadelphia – Philadbundance (hunger relief organization) / WOAR (rape crisis center)
Worcester – A Voice For The Innocent (sexual abuse and rape support)
New York City – Women’s Prison Association (hosting a donation drive)
Asbury Park – L.E.A.D. DIY (Lighting and Epilepsy Awareness Development)
Pittsburgh – Christopher’s Kitchen (hosting a food drive)
Columbus – She Has A Name (fight human trafficking)

Pontiac – Baldwin Center (feeding, clothing, educating and empowering the community; hosting a coffee drive)
Milwaukee – Hope For The Day (suicide prevention and mental health education)
Chicago – Hope For The Day / Our Music My Body (sexual harassment awareness)
Minneapolis – A Voice For The Innocent
Denver – Earthlinks (serves people homeless and economic poverty while sustaining the planet)
Anaheim – Girls Behind The Rock Show (female empowerment and diversity in the music industry)

You can get more information on all of the non-profits here.

In addition to performances, the festival will feature interactive activities, exclusive merch and more. As mentioned previously Sad Summer Fest is also incorporating non-profit partners who will be on-site to provide education and resources to fans.

The fest took to Twitter to share who those partners will be, writing, “We are excited to announce our official non-profit partners this summer! You suggested your favorite local organizations, and we teamed up with one in each city to do some good!”

What do you think of the Sad Summer Fest consent rules? Sound off in the comments down below!

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