The Kingdom of the Outlands is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all its participants in pursuing research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combat and culture.
Our Society calls on us, among other things, to act in accordance with the chivalric virtues of honor and service, to deal fairly with others, and to value and respect the worth and dignity of all individuals. Thus, extending our welcome (through our actions) to people of all cultures, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, and disability status is one of our most important goals.
Diversity means the presence of difference, or variety, within our groups. We each have different characteristics, preferences, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, labels, cultures, and beliefs. In the SCA, we do not allow something as organic as variety to hinder the very organization we love and support.
Equity means equal access. When people come together in groups, some have advantages while others have disadvantages. In context of this office, equity means a process to ensure that everyone has equal access to the same opportunities in the SCA. It also means being treated with the same courtesy, respect, and dignity as everyone else, no matter how you are different.
Inclusion means being welcomed and truly valued for what you contribute. It means that no matter your race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or able-ness, you are accepted. Verna Myers explains, “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”
Interested in DEI and the Current Middle Ages?