Policies

General WWU QueerCon Policies

QueerCon Statement of Values

WWU QueerCon strives to make this convention a safe and affirming experience for all of our staff, exhibitors, and attendees.  You are welcome here, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, mental health, appearance, body size, socioeconomic status, or religion. We ask that you take time to read and agree to our anti-harassment policy before attending, and to be conscious of fellow convention attendees’ boundaries and the use of non-oppressive language.

If you have concerns during this year’s hybrid event, you can immediately message our moderators by typing @MOD in our discord in the #event-help channel or ask a Staff member in person for assistance. Staff will have badges that clearly designate their role.

Special thanks to OrcaCon and the Ada Initiative for excellent examples of anti-harassment and anti-racism language in their policies and codes of conduct.  Learn more about why having an explicit anti-harassment policy matters at the Geek Feminism Wiki.

Harassment
Photos & Media
Attendee Conduct
Age Policy
Cosplay & Props
Weapons
Health & Safety
NSFW Policy

Anti-Harassment Policy

  • WWU Queer Con has a zero tolerance policy for harassment and discriminatory speech or behavior.
  • Failure to comply with any of these policies may result in permanent ejection from the event with no refund. Depending on the severity of your actions, you may get one warning before you are removed.
  • Homophobic, racist, sexist, classist, ableist, transphobic, aphobic, biphobic, or any other discriminatory speech or behavior will not be tolerated.
  • Hate symbols and iconography associated with historical atrocities and current hate groups are strictly forbidden at the convention. This includes (but is not limited to) swastikas, Nazi uniforms, cosplays closely based on and/or closely resembling Nazi uniforms, and paraphernalia associated with these organizations and other fascist regimes.
  • Sexual, physical, or any other form of harassment will not be tolerated. If you are found to be participating in harassment you will be ejected from our event.

What is Harassment?

  • Harassment includes:
    • offensive comments about another person’s body or identity, including but not limited to: gender, sexuality, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion.
    • showing sexual images in public spaces.
      • Note: Discussion or images related to sex, pornography, discriminatory language or similar is welcome if it meets all of the following criteria:
        1. organizers have specifically granted permission in writing;
        2. it is necessary to the topic of discussion and no alternative exists;
        3. it is presented in a respectful manner, especially towards women and LGBTQIA+ people; and
        4. attendees are warned in advance in the program and respectfully given ample content warnings and opportunity to leave beforehand.
          • Gratuitous sexual images as attention-getting devices or unnecessary examples are still prohibited.
    • intimidation, stalking or following someone
    • photographing or recording someone without their permission
    • sustained disruption of talks or other events
    • uninvited physical or close contact
    • uninvited sexual attention
  • Participants asked to stop harassing behavior must comply immediately.

Photography and Media Policy

  • You may not take pictures or record video of attendees without permission, including screenshots of Zoom recordings, and selfies where the faces of attendees in the background are clearly visible. This is for the safety of anyone at QueerCon who is not publicly open about their LGBTQIA+ identities. In addition to avoiding accidental outing of individuals, asking permission is respectful convention behavior.
  • For in-person conventions, there will be a designated photos area where pictures may be taken.

Convention Attendee Conduct Policies

  • Queer Con Health & Safety policies are in effect (see 2023 Health and Safety Policies below).
  • WWU Queer Con is not responsible for any lost or damaged property.
  • Please do not abuse the school facilities. Do not litter or damage school property. There are stations with trash, recycling, and compost receptacles throughout the convention area.
  • This event is a sober space.  Drugs and alcohol are not permitted at our event. Visibly intoxicated individuals will not be allowed entry and tickets will not be eligible for refund. If attendees are found to be in possession of intoxicating substances, they will be ejected from the event.
  • Individuals attending virtually are expected to be respectful of presenters and other attendees by not disrupting or interrupting presentations, panel discussions, and performances, including when participation is opened to the audience.
  • Online attendees are required to adhere to the WWU QueerCon Anti-Harrassment Policy listed above.

Cosplay and Prop Policies

  • Naked is not a costume. Please be sensible with designing your cosplay and what you are wearing. If attendees violate the convention’s clothing policies, they will be ejected from the event.
  • Functional and realistic-looking weapons are not allowed.
  • Weapons that are part of a cosplay will be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Those not permitted will be kept by convention volunteers at the owner’s risk. We recommend using foam, cardboard, light wood, and plastic to build any prop weapons you may bring. All prop weapons will be peace bonded at the front table. Fantasy weapons (lightsabers, ray guns, wands, etc.) may be permitted as long as they do not pose any coincidental hazards due to sharpness/etc.

Weapons and Explosives are Prohibited

  • Any functional weapons — including, but not limited to: whips, airsoft guns, BB guns, cap guns, paintball guns, pellet guns, blow guns, crossbows, longbows, silly string, slingshots, water balloons, water guns, axes, daggers, hatchets, knives, kunai, shuriken, real swords, sword canes, switchblades, brass knuckles, hockey sticks, clubs, nunchaku, baseball bats, mace, pepper spray, aerosol mustard, and any other chemical, sharp, blunt or projectile weapons — are prohibited.
  • Realistic replica firearms, including reproduction, fake, or toy guns that may be confused for functional firearms are prohibited.
  • Explosives including firecrackers and fireworks are prohibited.

Age Policy

  • WWU QueerCon is an all-ages fan convention and conference.  However, some of our events, tables, and hours may be age-restricted.
    • QueerCon Main Convention Hall Hours: 12:00pm – 5:00pm PST
      • WWU QueerCon is all-ages during the Main Convention Hall Hours of 12:00pm  – 5:00pm
      • A designated NSFW tabling area will be restricted to attendees age 18+ 
    • QueerCon After-Hours 18+: 5:00pm – 8:00pm PST
      • After-Hours events including but not limited to the Drag Show and 18+ Game Night, which occur between 5:00pm and 8:00pm, are 18+
    • Child supervision policy
      • Children age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

NSFW “Not Safe For Work” (18+) Content Policies

  • NSFW stands for ‘not safe for work’ or ‘not suitable for work’, and indicates that the content may contain inappropriate, offensive, or age-restricted material.  Some NSFW material may be presented at QueerCon provided that it meets the following requirements:
    1. It is non-discriminatory and does not constitute harassment (see our anti-harassment policy above).
    2. NSFW Material in 18+ Convention Areas: Tables and artists openly displaying NSFW material must disclose the general nature of the material and table in the 18+ area of the convention.
    3. NSFW Material in the All-Ages General Convention Hall Areas: Tables and artists selling but not openly displaying NSFW material must keep such material covered and verify the 18+ age of convention participants prior to access.
  • NSFW content can include but is not limited to sexually explicit material and nudity, graphic violence or body horror, offensive language, mentions of abuse, etc. Presenters and vendors are required to disclose content warnings (CWs) for NSFW material. Listing CWs for topics that could be disturbing or reminiscent of trauma is also requseted. Please contact QueerCon staff at wwuqueercon@gmail.com with any questions.
  • Tables and presenters who do not formally disclose their NSFW content in advance to QueerCon Staff or who otherwise violate QueerCon NSFW Content Policies will be ejected from the convention and will be barred from presenting or tabling at future QueerCon events.
    • It is the responsibility of the table / presenter to contact QueerCon with any questions and verify NSFW status of their material.

2023 Health and Safety Policies

  • QueerCon is committed to safeguarding the well-being of our immunocompromised, at-risk, and disabled community members and households, especially while the threat of COVID-19 is still ongoing.
  • All Attendees are asked to wear face masks while indoors at the convention.
    • Masks should properly cover the nose and mouth.
    • Extra masks are provided at the door and at every floor and event room.
    • Masking may be required in certain designated event rooms. 
  • Attendees are encouraged to eat and drink in the designated areas where possible. 
    • Food may be prohibited in certain designated event rooms. 
    • Touchless water fountains are available; attendees are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.
  • If you are sick with a contagious illness (cold, flu, COVID-19, etc.), please do not attend QueerCon in person.  You are invited to attend our virtual panels, talks, and streamed events.  Alternatively, QueerCon staff can offer you a refund or ticket to a future QueerCon event.

Policies last updated: 12/2023