MAPS seeks to actively cultivate a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive psychedelic ecosystem. Inspired by the pledge Towards an Ethos of Equity and Inclusion in the Psychedelic Movement, to which MAPS is a signatory, we have adopted the following Mindful Event Participant Guidelines. These guidelines enumerate key elements of equitable events and steer MAPS’ event planning according to MAPS’ Values, Seven Principles, and Therapy Code of Ethics.
We promote events demonstrating aligned values while embracing opportunities to build bridges with organizers and audiences that don’t share these values. We endeavor to provide educational resources to organizers — and our commitment to equity with audiences. When evaluating our participation in an event, alignment with the following guidelines is strongly considered.
Focus and intention
Education, activities, messaging, and organizing principles are aligned with or in support of MAPS’ mission to develop medical, legal, and social contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana.
Presenters are experts with professional or relevant lived experience in their field. Presenters who offer services as therapists, coaches, or in other interpersonal services are qualified and ethical in these practices.
Events that include any setting where the likelihood of people using drugs is high, even when use is discouraged, also provide qualified harm reduction or peer support space and services.
Inclusion and diversity
Organizers, presenters, and exhibitors represent the spectrum of diversity in the psychedelic community, actively platforming voices representing marginalized communities and considering the appropriate invitation and cultural care towards Indigenous speakers, exhibitors, and attendees.
Event organizers capture voluntary identity data (e.g. gender, race/ethnicity, disability, educational attainment, sexual orientation) from presenters and attendees in order to understand how to best provide culturally-relevant programming.
Accommodations for an array of different types of physical and cognitive/mental abilities are thoughtfully provided. Safe spaces and supportive initiatives are appropriately provided for people across the spectrum of diversity, including people who use psychedelics or other drugs.
Equitable access
Equitable access for attendees, speakers, and exhibitors is provided through scholarships or low or no-cost general admission tickets. Volunteer opportunities, if available, include complimentary or discounted admission.
Nonprofit organizations, academics and researchers, and groups serving marginalized communities receive complimentary or discounted admission, sponsorship, or exhibition opportunities; travel accommodations or honoraria are available to support their speakers.
Educational portions of the event may be available online, free of cost, either concurrent with or following the event.
Feedback and Accountability
Honest feedback is sought from attendees about content and attendees’ experiences by providing a way for attendees to submit feedback both during and after the event. In instances where an attendee had a negative experience, organizers take accountability..
In addition to analyzing patterns within feedback, organizers consider that an inclusive event should take every individual into account. Feedback could reflect various types of minority identities (e.g. living with PTSD, vision-impaired, parenting, low-income, transgender, immuno-compromised, etc) that could impact various parts of events. Organizers are prepared to take this feedback and make adjustments as quickly as possible.
Resources
Towards an Ethos of Equity and Inclusion in the Psychedelic Movement
People of Color Making a Difference in Psychedelic Healing
SSDP’s Event Participation Guidelines
Guidelines for Inclusion of Indigenous People into Psychedelic Science Conferences
