Code of conduct

Rainbow House Zurich

Zurich, November 30, 2022

The Regenbogenhaus is a public center for LGBTQIA+ individuals, the entire queer community, and anyone interested. It works to raise public awareness about LGBTQIA+ people, promotes their equal participation in society, and helps to strengthen diverse ways of life.

The Rainbow House is a gathering place where events and meetings take place and where information can be obtained. It provides a space for cultural, academic, counseling, and community activities. The public is invited to participate in LGBTQIA+ culture.

The Rainbow House aims to be an accessible and safe space for:

Queer people of all ages
Queer people of all genders and non-binary people
Queer people of color and Black queer people
Queer people with disabilities (visible or invisible)
Queer people of all religions
Queer undocumented individuals
Queer people facing financial hardship
...and their friends

The Rainbow House is not only committed to the concerns of the queer community but also stands in solidarity with all the marginalized groups mentioned above and actively advocates for greater visibility and participation.

General Principles

The Rainbow House aims to be a place where every person can thrive and is as safe as possible from discrimination, abuse, and stigmatization. Together, we can build and continue to nurture this culture.

Anyone who visits the Rainbow House accepts and upholds its principles:

treating one another and the facilities with respect
no discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity (queerphobia)
no discrimination based on racist assumptions regarding appearance, origin, or religious affiliation (racism)
no discrimination based on disability (ableism)
no discrimination based on social background and status (classism)
no discrimination based on gender (sexism)
no discrimination based on religion
no discrimination based on age (ageism and adultism)
No sexual assault (principle of consent)
No physical assault (touching body parts or assistive devices—e.g., wheelchairs—without permission, or grabbing someone’s hair)
No psychological abuse (bullying, coercion, etc.)
No use of illegal substances
No profit motive, no pressure to consume

People who experience discrimination at the Rainbow House are taken seriously and protected.

We will seek to have a conversation with people who do not adhere to these principles at the Regenbogenhaus. As a last resort, they may be barred from using the Regenbogenhaus. This is to protect the space and the users of the Regenbogenhaus.

It is the responsibility of the respective event organizers to ensure compliance with these principles at their events. For each event, at least one appropriate contact person must be designated who can be contacted directly in the event of discrimination or assaults.

Political Parties, Religious Organizations, and Businesses

The Rainbow House is politically independent and non-denominational.

Political parties, religious organizations, and businesses that are not members of the Rainbow House Association may use the Rainbow House for non-commercial events under certain conditions.

However, political parties, religious organizations, and companies may not use the Regenbogenhaus for events that exploit the Regenbogenhaus or misuse it for self-promotion or “pinkwashing.”

Principles for events organized by political parties, religious organizations, and businesses:

The organizer must already demonstrate a credible commitment to queer causes.

The organizer must ensure compliance with the principles outlined above.

The events must have a clear connection to LGBTQIA+ issues.

The events must align with the goals and principles outlined here.

Principle of equal treatment: public events are permitted no more than once a year.

Non-public meetings of queer networks within political parties, religious organizations, or businesses are generally permitted subject to space availability.

The Regenbogenhaus Zürich association rents the premises from the Kalkbreite cooperative. It makes its premises available to members and external users for a usage fee.

To ensure that as many people as possible who need the Regenbogenhaus have the opportunity to use it, funding is organized on a solidarity basis.

Collective members may use the Regenbogenhaus once a year free of charge for a meeting, general assembly, or public event.

Usage Agreements

Usage agreements are concluded with regular users. The user’s needs and financial circumstances determine the amount of the usage fee.

Groups and organizations that are in the process of being established and lack financial resources may use the Rainbow House free of charge for a period of time before becoming collective members.

There is no legal entitlement to use the Rainbow House.