DVS STATEMENT OF ETHICS

We are a group of equal individuals. Equal means each individual has the same value as any other individual regardless of gender, race, religion, marital or familial status, age, sexual preference, occupation or social and legal standing. This is true in the way we treat our members and in the conversations we have about people in general.

As a result, each individual is entitled to full respect as an equal and should expect, receive and bestow that respect among others in our group.

We believe that each individual has the right of self-determination. This includes freedom of choice in all personal matters as applied to relationships with others, living and familial situations, personal interactions, emotional, physical and sexual intimacy, without pressure or coercion from any other person, group, organization, bureaucracy or law.

Each individual has a right to ask others for what they need or desire and all have the right to say "yes" or "no" to such a request. Each individual must accept a “no” without pressuring another individual to change his or her answer.

Each individual has the right to expect every social activity to be as advertised; for example, permissive/non-permissive.

If an individual attends a Permissive event, that person has the right to be free of pressure or coercion from other attendees to participate in permissive activities. No one has the right to assume that any individual attending a permissive event necessarily wishes to participate in such activities.

Each individual has the right to privacy. That right includes freedom from being solicited or propositioned by individuals not known to them, through use of the Members’ Directory, or through any source not authorized by that individual.

Each individual has the right to choose to participate in any activities at Permissive events with other consenting individuals. It is acceptable to ask permission to join in an activity, and a "no" must be accepted gracefully without question or pressure.

Each individual has the right to express opinions or views in a non-hurtful, non-judgmental way, without being put down or discounted by others. An individual whose behavior or communication affects the organization in a negative way may be called before the Steering Committee for explanation and possible censure, probation, or expulsion.

In furtherance of the right of self-determination, members who know they have ANY sexually transmitted disease have an absolute obligation to inform their partners of that fact before they are intimate with them, regardless of the form of contact that is contemplated, and to fail to do so is a serious violation of DVS ethics. Failure to make these disclosures is a serious violation of DVS ethics.