Health Forward Storytellers Bill of Rights

This Bill of Rights gives Health Forward storytellers the context and power to fully own and tell their story — and to decide where and how it should be published.

Storyteller rights

  • I have the right to express my views and opinions and share my life experiences with dignity and in my own voice. 
  • I have the right to answer only the questions I’m comfortable with. 
  • I understand that Health Forward impact and/or communications staff may offer edits and suggestions to improve my work, and that I have the right to:
    • Know why these edits and suggestions have been offered.  
    • Decide which of these edits and suggestions to accept or reject.  I have the right to remain anonymous for any reason.  
  • I have the right to remove or modify any parts of my story for any reason, at any time.  
  • I have the right to decide not to publish my story for any reason, at any point in the writing and publication process.  
  • I have the right to see my story — in whatever form it is communicated, whether it’s written, audio recorded, or in a video — before it’s shared with the public. 
  • I have the right to publish the story on certain communications channels and not on others.
  • I have the right to have my published work taken down for any reason.
  • I have the right to share my story with as many people as I like.  
  • I understand that, if my views are substantially out of alignment with Health Forward’s values; cause potential to harm to myself, other individuals, and/or communities; or criticizes the organization in a way that may jeopardize Health Forward’s work, staff, or community partners, Health Forward may opt not to publish my work. I have the right to publish it on my own. 

Some things to be aware of:

  • We are determined to protect and elevate your authentic self-expression — we want you to be able to express what is true for you, in your own voice
  • Equity, inclusion, and anti-racism are core Health Forward values, so we attempt to always use an inclusive and respectful voice. We may suggest edits to your work to uphold this value.
  • By publishing your story, you are taking back the dominant narrative. However, you might face criticism or backlash from people with differing views. It is hard to be criticized.
  • Almost all our external communication happens on the internet. While we manage our social channels to mitigate harm and trolling, there is always the chance a person will use someone’s story or quote in harmful ways. We cannot guarantee protection from trolls trying to bring fear and chaos into others’ lives, especially people sharing sensitive personal experiences and stories.

Here is how Health Forward will protect you:

  • Identify and help you decide how you want to proceed with the parts of your story that might be particularly sensitive:
    • Gender identity
    • Immigration status
    • Personal experience with racism, discrimination, and oppression
    • Charged or controversial viewpoints
  • Supporting you to make your own decision about whether to remain anonymous
  • Supporting you to make your own decision about whether to publish
  • Keeping an eye out and having a policy in place to deal with negative feedback

The process

All staff should walk storytellers through the Health Forward Storyteller’s Bill of Rights before you begin to write your story.

When you are being interviewed by Health Forward’s communications team, the interviewer will:

  1. Walk storytellers through Health Forward’s Storyteller’s Bill of Rights.
  2. Conduct an interview with you and take lots of notes.
  3. Edit the raw notes into a draft document and send it to you to edit.
  4. Talk to you about any potential “pain points” (parts of your story that might be particularly sensitive).
  5. Share the final draft with you for your final approval.
  6. Respond right away if content needs to be edited or removed after it has been published.

Here is where your work might be published

  • Health Forward’s website
  • Health Forward’s social media channels
  • Partner and individual social media accounts (reposted — we do NOT have control over these and may not be able remove them once they’ve been posted)
  • Health Forward’s monthly email newsletters
  • Health Forward’s annual report

This Bill of Rights was adapted from, and inspired by, the work of:

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