Universal Zero-Tolerance Harassment Policy

SiestaCon is dedicated to providing a harassment-free convention experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, veteran status, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, dress, political affiliation, fandom preference in any area, activity or operation.

We have a zero-tolerance harassment policy and prohibit the harassment of convention participants. Convention participants violating these rules may be issued a warning or expelled from the convention without a refund at the discretion of the convention organizers if they do not comply.

SiestaCon is committed to providing an accessible environment for all.

Harassment problems often start when an act or comment is defined by the victim as unwelcome and can include:

• Spoken comments, written comments, or displayed images or any course of conduct, related to gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, disability, body size, race, or religion that annoys, threatens, intimidates, alarms, or puts a person in fear of their safety.
• Spoken comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity, and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, or political affiliation
• Unwelcome physical contact and/or unwelcome sexual attention
• Deliberate intimidation, body policing, stalking, or bullying
• Unwanted photography or recording
• Sustained disruption of panels, talks, or other events
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
• False reporting for whatever purpose such as intimidation, exclusion, or general harassment of celebrity guests, convention staff, or other attendees.

Exception: The right to free speech is to be respected. Discussion or images related to sex, pornography, discriminatory language, or similar are welcome if it meets all of the following criteria: (a) the organizers have specifically granted permission in writing, (b) it is necessary to the topic of discussion and no alternative exists, (c) it is presented in a respectful manner, especially toward women and LGBTQIA people, (d) attendees are warned in advance in the program and respectfully given ample warning and opportunity to leave beforehand or not attend. This exception specifically does not allow the use of gratuitous sexual images as attention-getting devices or unnecessary examples.

Exception: Fraternization without unwelcome deeds or comments is not harassment.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions necessary to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the convention with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.

SiestaCon has a no-tolerance policy for serial harassers, which means they will not be invited to attend a convention where they have disobeyed rules absent a convincing set of reasons. The harasser may write an appeal to Siesta Conventions, LLC for reinstitution. An appeal would only be considered with proof of sufficient rehabilitation and restitution. Notification of a harasser’s presence will be required at future events.