Hello furries! This year, based on popular feedback and following the example of other fan conventions, we’ve updated our Code of Conduct to call particular attention to costumers. (New text in bold)



Harassment and Assault “No” means no. “Stop” means stop. “Go away” means go away. If someone won’t understand these simple rules, please contact FLARE. Harassment is any behavior that intentionally annoys or alarms another person. Unintentional or misinterpreted behaviors may also cause feelings of harassment. This includes unwanted physical or verbal contact, following someone in a public area without a legitimate reason, or threatening physical violence. Offenders may lose their badges and the matter may be referred to the proper law enforcement authorities. If you are being harassed, we strongly encourage you to immediately contact FLARE through a nearby convention volunteer or by calling or texting their number on the back of your registration badge. Additionally, the act of wearing a costume or fursuit does not grant license for anybody to make inappropriate or suggestive comments, gestures, or unwanted physical contact with costumed attendees. Further Confusion is proud to play host to a wide variety of costuming, including but not limited to: mascot-style fursuits, video game and pop culture cosplay, fantasy/sci-fi genre cosplay, etc., and we wish to provide a positive and safe environment for costumers to enjoy.

We’ve also drafted some signs you may see around the con space:

I presented this at the #FC2015 meeting today, I might as well post it here, it’s some signage I think is important! pic.twitter.com/pR2tnWrgmn — =^.^= Latte ☕ (@Latte_fox) December 21, 2014

What does this mean for you as an attendee?

The point is: make sure your interaction is welcome . This doesn’t have to be verbal, but if you’d like to offer a hug to someone you don’t know, it may be most polite to ask. The important part is to give them a chance to decline, and respect that.

. This doesn’t have to be verbal, but if you’d like to offer a hug to someone you don’t know, it may be most polite to ask. The important part is to give them a chance to decline, and respect that. The rule is here to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable, and has a good time—particularly around people they don’t know. It’s not to keep you and your friends from having fun together, or to keep you from hugging anyone if you and they are both happy with it.

The same rules apply to everyone, costume or not. It’s just emphasizing parts of the existing code of conduct.

If you’re okay with random unsolicited hugs, that’s fine! Say so, or put it on a badge. We just don’t want it to be the assumption for all costumers.

If you are in costume, and you feel harassed, tell the person. If you don’t feel comfortable, or they don’t listen, tell con staff or FLARE.

If you have any questions or feedback about this, please let us know at info@furtherconfusion.org.

Thanks,

Jeff “Dax” Bowman

FC2015 Chairman