House Code
At The Lather anger is not directed at each other, it’s something we build like a bonfire. The stage is the focus. We are in this together.
- Personal space. Don’t touch other people at The Lather, excepting only invited handshakes, high-fives, fist bumps, and other socially consensual greetings.
- Attention to the stage. Yell, cheer, groan, answer back when invited. Don’t take over someone’s set. Whoever is on stage has the floor. You are not here to debate them.
- On stage it’s about the words and emotions. No comments on anyone’s looks, from your seat or at the bar.
- Nothing leaves the room. To protect those who take the stage at The Lather attendees are not permitted to film, record, stream, or otherwise capture or transmit the performances. The Lather will, at times, record the performances with consent of who is on stage. People say things at The Lather they can’t say anywhere else. Please respect why we can’t have clips in the wild of The Lather.
- Everyone in the room is off-limits. Performers, audience, staff. No threats, no singling anyone out, no following someone outside to finish it. Online counts too.
- Staff are protected. Abuse the people working the event and you’re out.
- Be sober enough to own your anger. The Lather reserves the right to eject anyone at any time if staff deems their apparent state of inebriation to be unsociable.
See Adjudication & Enforcement for how we administer this code.
If taking the stage, see also: Performer Code
Adjudication & Enforcement
Who decides
Every show has a House Lead. On the night, the House Lead’s call is final. You can argue with it afterward, through the appeal below, not at the door. After a session, management of The Lather will decide any follow-up issues.
On the night
Safety is our priority on the night of the show. Process comes later. At their discretion, the House Lead may:
- Warn you, once and quietly, when that’s enough.
- Cut a set. Mic off, lights down, next performer.
- Remove you from the show. No refund if you’re removed for breaking the code.
- Stop the show if the room isn’t safe.
If someone needs medical help, please raise this concern immediately, and staff will take action.
Accountability
Consequences scale with what happened:
| What happened | Typical result |
|---|---|
| Minor, first time, handled on the night | Warning; nothing further |
| Clear violation of either code | Suspension for 1-12 months |
| Repeat violations, or anything involving touch, threats, or identifying private people | Permanent ban |
| Violence, sexual misconduct, or selling stage time | Permanent ban |
Having attended or performed before does not create exceptions to the above.
Reporting
You don’t have to report on the night. You can report later, including anonymously (see our Contact page for specifics). Anonymous reports can be harder for us to act on, of course.
We’ll keep reports as private as we can. Some accusations require us to take action.
House Lead calls are final on the night
Whether something crossed the line in the Performer Code is a judgment call. The House Lead makes that call on the night. Performers can ask for a review afterward, and we’ll explain the reasoning in writing, including how we applied the test.
Appeals
You can appeal any suspension or ban once, in writing, within 30 days of the event. Permanent bans can be appealed no sooner than two years after being issued.
No retaliation for reporting
Nobody gets punished for reporting in good faith, for serving as a witness, or for having been on the other side of a complaint once it’s resolved. Retaliation, on-site or online, is its own violation, and we treat it at least as seriously as whatever started it.
Knowingly false or bad-faith reports are a violation. Reports that turn out to be mistaken are not. We encourage all good-faith reporting.