Core Values

The Gay Hockey Washington D.C. (GHDC) Code of Conduct is the organization’s statement of expected behavioral standards that all players are required to read and follow. The Code of Conduct, intended to reflect the stated goals of GHDC, clarifies the expectation that GHDC players have the sole responsibility for their own actions both on and off the ice, while traveling and at home, and have their accountability for those actions when GHDC standards are violated.

Rules

All players will abide by the Rules and Policies set forth by the GHDC and USA Hockey.

Language

Threatening language and verbal threats, slurs against race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, or gender will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship is defined as: fairness and respect for one’s opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing.

All players are expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of sportsmanship. Any player who deliberately tries to harm or intimidate another player through the use of force will be subject to the consequences described below.

Safety First

Members will refrain from any behavior that puts themselves or others at risk while participating in games or other league events. This includes but is not limited to the misuse of drugs or alcohol. Players under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not permitted on the ice.

Consequences

 

If a GHDC member is found to be behaving outside of the Code of Conduct, he or she will receive a warning from the Executive Board via email or in person. If the offender continues to behave in a manner that violates the GHDC Code of Conduct, the player will be suspended for two games immediately following the repeat infraction.

If a player who has been suspended previously behaves subsequently in a manner that violates the GHDC Code of Conduct, the player will be removed from all GHDC team rosters and suspended for the remainder of the season as well as for the subsequent season.

If a captain or alternate captain is suspended, he or she will be removed from their position as captain or alternate captain and the GHDC Executive Board will appoint a new Captain or Alternate. As representatives of GHDC and as spokesperson for their respective team, it is doubly important that Captains and Alternate Captains be held accountable to the highest level of conduct. They set the tone for the team.

All suspensions will be posted on the appropriate team’s GHDC web page. In addition, a player who is suspended is not eligible for a refund of any portion of his or her season fee nor is he or she allowed to sit on the bench during the term of his or her suspension. This policy applies to all players.

Reporting Code of Conduct Violations

 

Code of Conduct violations may be reported to the GHDC Executive Board using our feedback form. All reports will be confidential, will be investigated in a timely manner and may involve work with GHDC. Other reports of code of conduct violations may come from the Medstar Capitals Iceplex staff or officials and from teams outside the GHDC.

In addition, there are two other methods for reporting violations:

  1. An GHDC team captain can decide that a member of their team has violated the Code of Conduct and can choose to take action upon receiving approval from the GHDC Executive Board.

  2. Any official suspensions handed down by Medstar Capitals Iceplex are considered as violations of the Code of Conduct.

In either of these instances, no investigation by the GHDC Executive Board is necessary for the player to receive the consequences designated.

To issue warnings, suspensions or expulsions, the GHDC Executive Board must vote unanimously. In addition, in the matter of expulsions, the advisory council must also have a majority vote among its members. All decisions by the GHDC Executive Board are final.