Diversity & Inclusion Policy

Last Modified: January 14, 2024

International Puppy and Trainer Contest (IPTC) is committed to making its events a safe and welcoming environment for all adults (18 years and older).  IPTC wants each attendee to understand that diversity and inclusion are active choices and not just passive assumptions.  

Our space is open and welcoming to all Human Pets, Trainers, Handlers, Owners, Admirers, and those expressing curiosity about the scene in a respectful manner. In order to achieve the reality of inclusion, several concepts must be considered, and several must be actualized.

These concepts must be present and adhered to in our events, feeders, staff, volunteers, educators, judges, titleholders, and contestants.

We know that unity comes from creating cultures that support and affirm access to inclusive and diverse spaces, so be sure to check your run books for shared values and other guides.

Together we’re continuing to create something excellent in pet play communities around the world.

IPTC affirms an inclusive, diverse pet player community. We are committed to building inclusive spaces and events. We are participants in the ever-evolving leather and kink communities which values authenticity, sovereignty, and joy. We believe it is our duty to actively work toward greater inclusivity within our communities. Toward that end, we affirm the following policies and commitments and ask that you do the same:

• I understand that IPTC is and must be intentionally inclusive and affirming. All people have inherent worth and the right to choose to participate regardless of perceived or actual personal qualities, orientations, or associations. My attendance and participation supports and affirms inclusion. I understand that if my actions (digital or in-person) are found in violation of this I will be dismissed from this event.
• We respect and welcome all persons regardless of color, ethnicity, age, ability, religion, size, class, perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. My attendance and participation supports and affirms respect. I understand that if my actions (digital or in-person) are found in violation of this I will be dismissed from this event.
• We strongly reject any form of exclusion or marginalizing of people. Racism, classism, sexism, enforced heteronormativity, and ableism are not tolerated. We affirm our commitment to cultivating inclusive people and groups that support all members of the community. My attendance and participation supports and affirms Anti-racism and Tolerance. I understand that if my actions (digital or in-person) are found in violation of this I will be dismissed from this event.
• Spaces we host and control are safe and consent-based spaces. Unsafe behaviors and words that target or marginalize people including but not limited to racism, sexism, ageism, classism, transphobia, homophobia, xenophobia, ethnicism, sizeism, ableism and other prejudicial and discriminatory behaviors will not be tolerated. My attendance and participation supports and affirms safe and consensual communities. I understand that if my actions (digital or in-person) are found in violation of this I will be dismissed from this event.

Please see our Code of Conduct for more information on how to actualize these values you’ve agreed to uphold. We welcome feedback from our community to help us continually act in the service of all community members, and we are committed to listening. 

Decolonizing Statement

As part of acting in alignment with our core values, IPTC is committed to taking actions toward decolonizing our actions, events, and spaces.

We recognize we are operating on lands and using resources stolen from the Indigenous peoples of Chicago/Illinois. Specifically, we would like to acknowledge that we are on the ancestral lands of the  Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac, and Fox tribes, with many more Tribes and peoples being present.