Penguicon.info

This is an old revision of the document!

The following text appeared in the Penguicon 2013 Souvenir Book, and has been published there annually for several years previous:

• Penguicon is committed to fostering an environment of comfort and safety for all. Attendees are expected to treat one another with respect and courtesy. We don’t all have to like or agree with each other, but it’s Penguicon’s expectation that we’ll remain civil and respectful. Harassment of any kind, including physical assault, sexual assault, battery, deliberate intimidation, threats, stalking, unwelcome physical attentions, and persistent “physical-presence spamming” will not be tolerated. This applies to electronic communication as well as physical. If someone tells you to leave them alone, do so. Please report any of the above to Operations or any member of the ConCom so that we can address the issue. Likewise, if you witness any of the above, please bring the situation to Operations. If you feel that you are in any danger, please find any member of the ConCom or staff (distinguished by the ConCom or Staff ribbons on their badges) to stay with you while Operations is notified.
• Regardless of gender, flirtation, or clothing choices, please remember to be respectful and never touch someone without expressed consent. If you are not sure of whether you have an invitation to interact with someone in a specific way, ASK! Communication is sexy. If you are not sure what constitutes harassment, err on the side of caution. Keep in mind that no means no: if you’re asked to stop doing something or to leave someone alone, please do so immediately. If you continue to attempt to have contact with people who have asked you to leave them alone, you will be removed from the premises and may be barred from future Penguicons.
• Some Penguicon attendees who are over 21 may choose to drink alcohol. If you want to interact with someone in any sexual way, make sure that person is capable of giving consent. To do otherwise and take advantage of someone’s temporary incapacity is unsafe, unethical, and more importantly, illegal.
• Some Penguicon attendees are under 18 years of age. It is your responsibility to ensure that you’re alert to this, to take particular care with anyone you suspect might be underage, and to ask if you’re unsure. If you are an adult, don’t flirt or make any romantic overtures toward attendees under 18. Do not ask to touch them in any way that their parents, your parents, the ConChair’s parents, or Chris Hansen’s parents would not approve of. Just don’t.
• If you’ve been harassed, have witnessed harassment, or have other concerns about any Penguicon attendees,please notify Operations or any other member of ConCom. Penguicon reserves the right to remove attendees from the con and/or ban future attendance if harassment and safety guidelines are not followed.
• The buck doesn’t stop with Penguicon when it comes to assault and other illegal activities. If you’ve been victimized, Penguicon staff encourage you to get medical attention and any other help you might need, whether it’s available inside or outside the convention environment. Consider the possibility of reporting any rape or assault to law enforcement. Penguicon staff will be happy to assist you with this if you wish, and we ask that all attendees try to foster an environment where speaking out is fully supported.
• The display of bondage gear or fetish clothing in public is controversial, but acceptable at the convention. We would recommend that it is most appropriate in the evenings. However please keep BD/SM scenes or play in your room to avoid non-consensual experiences for others.
• Please keep your public displays of affection rated PG-13.