All participants are expected to comply with the following Universal Zero Tolerance Harassment code of conduct, which prohibits behaviors including the following:

  • Please respect all participants, audience members, staff, and volunteers at all times.
  • Please do not hug, touch, kiss, graze, grope, spank, or engage in any activity that may be deemed as harassing to anyone, without first asking for and receiving permission.
  • Sustained disruption of talks or other events is not acceptable.
  • Please ensure any photography is non-disruptive, and respect the moderator and/or panelists’ wishes regarding the taking of photos.
  • Do not touch any part of someone’s cosplay without first asking permission. Cosplay construction can be delicate and much more fragile than it first appears. Remember: “A costume does not imply consent.”  Admire the creativity of a costume without touching.
  • If people tell you “no” or ask you to leave them alone, your business with them is done. If you continue to attempt to have contact with those people, you may be removed from the premises.
  • Do not touch people’s service animals or accessibility devices without their permission. Any animal on site is presumed to be a service animal by attendees and should be treated respectfully as such.
  • Do not assume a disabled person needs help. You may offer but do not pressure a disabled person to accept help. They will ask for it if needed.
  • Do not evaluate or comment on other people’s disabilities or access. Not all disabilities are visible.
  • The moderator/organizer of any event, panel, presentation, or workshop has the right to ask anyone to leave the room.
  • Exhibitors should not use “sexually explicit”, “pornographic” or “indecent” images, activities, clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized public environment. Sexually explicit images in public spaces including vendor booths require a cover for people passing by on the vendor floor and should not be visible to the general public. Customers who are looking for explicit/nude art are free to walk up to the vendor booth, remove the cover, and browse the art for sale privately.

REPORTING

Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated at SiestaCon. If you have been the target of harassment, please contact a staff member, convention security, the Administration Booth, or send an email to report@siestacon.com.

SANCTIONS

SiestaCon takes all allegations of harassment seriously. Every report will be investigated by a member of the Executive Team and Committee, and appropriate action will be taken upon completion.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If the behavior does not stop, or if convention staff/security deems it severe enough, the individual may face any of the following sanctions:

  • Immediate removal from the convention (without refund)
  • Loss of honorarium (for faculty or special guests)
  • A prohibition from future involvement as an attendee, volunteer, vendor, programming guest, or any other participant.
  • Denial of access to Siesta Conventions LLC’s shows on a temporary or permanent basis

CONFIDENTIALITY

SiestaCon will make every reasonable effort to protect the confidentiality of all parties involved in investigations of alleged harassment, intimidation, or discrimination. However, confidentiality is not absolute, and those with a legitimate business reason to know and be informed of the allegations will be informed. All parties in the investigation should treat the matter with discretion and respect for the reputations of all involved.

The SiestaCon Universal Zero Tolerance Harassment policy prohibits retaliation against any member of the community for reporting harassment, intimidation, or discrimination. The sanctions for retaliation are the same as sanctions for any other form of harassment listed here.