Code of Conduct

The Toronto Storytelling Festival strives to present a wide array of voices, identities and experiences, in an environment where they can be heard without judgment, stigma or discrimination.

Storytelling fosters connection and relationship. The use of demeaning, derogatory or discriminatory speech in a story gets in the way of that connection. 

Language and attitudes that celebrate or trivialize sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, sizeism, classism, or other forms of discrimination have no place in Festival performances. This includes caricaturing or purporting to explain a culture that is not your own (i.e., putting on a fake accent; generalizing).

Storytellers performing at the Festival have the skills and resources to find alternatives to discriminatory or demeaning terms that may be used in source material.

The identity of another person should not be used as a plot point, a prop or a punchline. If making reference to another person’s skin colour, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical appearance or disability, it should be intrinsic to the story.

Demeaning, threatening, intimidating or discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated. Individuals engaging in such behaviour will be asked to leave.

This Code of Conduct applies to all Festival performers, audience members, vendors, staff and volunteers.  

If there are any concerns, questions or suggestions, please contact us at hello@storytellingtoronto.org.