New Guidelines Regarding Shirts

Effective Date: 8/28/2024
Last Reviewed: 8/26/2024
Next Review Date: 01/2025

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1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish clear guidelines regarding shirt-wearing during play and the use of Name and Pronoun Patches to ensure inclusivity and safety for all members.

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2. Scope

This policy applies to all players, captains, Lead Game Officials, and League Management involved in Stonewall Philadelphia activities.

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3. Definitions

• Name Patch: A patch on the shirt where a player's name and optional pronouns are written.

• Pronouns: The terms used by individuals to identify themselves, including but not limited to He/Him/His, She/Her/Hers, They/Them/Theirs, etc.

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4. Policy Statement

4.1 Shirt-Wearing During Play
Stonewall Shirts must be worn during play; players without shirts will not be allowed to participate. This measure addresses concerns about body policing and aims to ensure that the focus remains on the game rather than individual bodies.

4.2 Name and Pronoun Patch
Players are required to fill in their Name Patch by the start of the first game. Pronouns can be included at the player’s discretion. This helps new players integrate, assists game officials, and improves communication within the league.

4.3 Game Forfeiture Due to Shirt Violations
If the removal of players due to shirt violations causes a team to fall below the minimum number of players required for a game, it will be counted as a 'day of' forfeit, carrying the same penalties as forfeiting with less than 24 hours' notice.

4.4 Exemptions

• Stonewall in Motion (SiMs): Participants are only required to fill in their names if they purchase a Stonewall Philadelphia shirt. Otherwise, participants may wear their own shirts without adding names or pronouns.

• Registered Trivia Participants: Must adhere to the policy, while unregistered player substitutes are exempt.

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5. Responsibilities

5.1 Players
Players must wear their shirts during play and complete the Name Patch with their name. Pronouns are optional and should reflect the player's choice. Nicknames and chosen names are acceptable.

5.2 Captains
Captains must ensure all players on their team wear their shirts and have the Name Patch filled in. Captains will receive Sharpies for this purpose and are responsible for addressing any misuse of the Name and Pronoun Patch.

5.3 Lead Game Officials
Lead Game Officials must verify that all players are wearing shirts and have completed their Name Patch before the game begins. They will receive Sharpies for this purpose and must report any non-compliance.

5.4 League Management
League Managers will provide permanent markers to Lead Game Officials and review end-of-game reports for incidents. They will handle the escalation process for repeated non-compliance.

5.5 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors (Commissioner, Finance, League Ops, and DEIA) will review information provided by the League Director and confirm the removal of the player for the remainder of the season. They will also approve a proportionate refund, which equates to the amount of the season remaining. For example, if a season is 8 weeks long and a player is removed at week 4, they will be refunded 50% of their registration fee, minus any processing fee.

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6. Procedures

6.1 Player Compliance

• Players must wear shirts and fill out the Name Patch by the start of the first game.

• Pronouns are optional but encouraged for inclusivity. Acceptable pronouns are listed below:

• He/Him/His

• She/Her/Hers

• They/Them/Theirs

• Xe/Xem/Xyrs

• Ey/Em/Eirs

• Fae/Faer/Faers

• Per/Pers

• ze/Zir/Zirs

• Ne/Nem/Nems

• Ve/Vir/Vis

• The above list is not exhaustive but is an attempt to be inclusive and acknowledge members with expansive identities. If a player's pronouns are not listed above, contact the Director of DEIA (christylery@stonewallphlly.org). Players are invited to use any combination of pronouns on their shirts.

6.2 Captain’s Role

• Ensure all players comply with the shirt and Name Patch policy.

• Address any issues of misuse and report them to League Management.

6.3 Game Official’s Role

• Verify shirt-wearing and Name Patch completion.

• Remove players who refuse to comply and report incidents.

6.4 League Management’s Role

• Monitor compliance and address repeated incidents.

• Provide Sharpies to Lead Game Officials and review incident reports.

6.5 Board of Directors’ Role

• Review the League Director’s report on player removal.

• Confirm removal and approve a proportionate refund.

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7. Enforcement

7.1 Compliance Monitoring
League Management will track compliance through end-of-game reports and address issues according to the escalation process.

Expected Behaviors and Escalation Path:

1. Players: Players are expected to wear their shirts during play and have their Name Patch filled in by the start of the first game. Players do not have to use their legal name. Nicknames, chosen names, and otherwise socially used monikers (excluding profane or obscene language) are allowed. Pronouns can be added at each player’s discretion. Our pronoun guidelines include pronouns and neopronouns - expansive pronouns for those who do not use more common pronouns or non-English identifiers - to acknowledge the many ways we can self-identify. The pronoun guidelines include the following:

1. He/Him/His

2. She/Her/Hers

3. They/Them/Theirs

4. Xe/Xem/Xyrs

5. Ey/Em/Eirs

6. Fae/Faer/Faers

7. Per/Pers

8. ze/Zir/Zirs

9. Ne/Nem/Nems

10. Ve/Vir/Vis

1. The above list is not exhaustive but is an attempt to be inclusive and acknowledge members with expansive identities. If a player's pronouns are not listed above, contact the Director of DEIA (christylery@stonewallphlly.org). Players are invited to use any combination of pronouns on their shirts.

2. Captains: Captains are expected to ensure that all players on their team have their shirts on during play and that the Name Patch is filled in with their names. Pronouns can be added at each player’s discretion.

1. Captains will receive a pack of Sharpies during T-shirt pickup to assist in this process.

2. If members change their names or pronouns during the season, they can cross out the old information and write in their new name or pronoun.

3. Players who misuse the Name and Pronoun Patch (examples from past seasons: Michelle Obama in the name section, “cute, dom, bisexual top” in the pronoun section) should be asked to cross out the incorrect information and fill in with their name. Players who misuse the Name and Pronoun Patch should be reported to League Management.

3. Lead Game Officials (umpires, referees, hosts, etc.): Lead Game Officials are expected to confirm that all players wear their shirts at the start of and throughout play and complete the Name Patch. Pronouns can be added at each player’s discretion. Before the beginning of the game, lead game officials will receive 3 Sharpies for players to write in their names. These Sharpies should be returned to the League Managers at the end of each game.

1. Players who refuse to wear the shirts will be removed from play. If the number of players removed from play causes the team to have less than the required number of players for a game, the offending team automatically forfeits the game. The offending team receives the same penalty as forfeiting with less than 24 hours' notice.

2. Players who misuse the Name and Pronoun Patch (examples from past seasons: Michelle Obama in the name section, “cute, dom, bisexual top” in the pronoun section) should be asked to cross out the incorrect information and fill in with their name and pronouns. Players who misuse the Name and Pronoun Patch will be removed from play. If the number of players removed from play causes the team to have less than the required number of players for a game, the offending team automatically forfeits the game. The offending team receives the same penalty as forfeiting with less than 24 hours' notice. These should be included in any end-of-game report in the “incidents” section so League Management can track these incidents.

4. League Management (Directors, Deputy Directors, Run Captains, etc.): League Managers will provide the Lead Game Officials with 3 Sharpies before games. They should also review all end-of-game reports for incidents.

1. First incident: League Managers will remind team captains that it is their responsibility to ensure that all team players wear their shirts and complete the Name Patch.

2. Second incident: League Managers will contact the offending players directly, remind them to wear their shirts and have the Name Patch completed, and inform them that a third incident in one season will result in their removal from the league for the remainder of the season.

3. Third incident: League Directors will email the offending player and Cc The Commissioner, Director of Finance, Director of League Operations, and Director of DEIA. The email should include the incident reports, proof of prior contact (an attached copy of the email/screenshots of texts), and the request to remove the player from the league for the remainder of the season.

5. Board of Directors (Commissioner, Finance, League Ops, and DEIA): The listed directors will review the information provided by the League Director and respond with confirmation that the player has been removed for the remainder of the season and that a proportionate refund has been approved.

1. Proportionate refund = to the amount of the season remaining.

1. Example: If a season is 8 weeks long and a player is removed from the league at week 4, they will be refunded 50% of their registration fee minus the processing fee.

7.2 Consequences for Non-Compliance

• First Incident: Remind captains of their responsibilities.

• Second Incident: Contact offending players and warn of potential removal.

• Third Incident: Notify the player and relevant officials of removal from the league for the remainder of the season. The Board of Directors will confirm the removal and approve a proportionate refund.

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8. Review and Revision

8.1 Review Process
The policy will be reviewed annually or as needed based on feedback and incidents.

8.2 Revision Process
Any changes will be documented, approved by the relevant authorities, and communicated to all members.

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Policy Prepared By: Chris-Tyler Young - Dir. DEIA
Policy Approved By: Bob Kringe - Commissioner
Date Approved: 05/27/2024
Policy Review Date: 8/26/2024