Escapade welcomes and respects all fans and all of what diversity brings us. Diversity provides different perspectives on the world and the characters we love, different ways of thinking about and looking at fan culture and ourselves, and better ways of relating to each other.
For more than 30 years, Escapade has created a space where beings of all abilities, orientations, genders, skin colors, nationalities, political agendas and tribal affiliations are welcome to gather and share their opinions, engage in spirited debate, laugh, argue, and enjoy. They were safe to agree and disagree while still respecting each other’s personhood and right to opinion, passion, and desires. We are always striving to create a more perfect space and we’re open to feedback to improve the convention experience.
To support and codify this commitment, we add our voice to the anti-harassment policies adopted by many conventions today.
Escapade does not tolerate:
- verbally offensive or aggressive statements or language
- physical contact without full consent
- activity other than physical contact that is intrusive or aggressive (e.g., stalking, non-consensual photography or recording, legal name exposure)
- disrespect related to genders, orientations, abilities, skin colors, nationalities, political agendas and tribal affiliations
What to do if you experience harassment:
- Call it out if you’re able to. Identify the harasser. Get a witness if you can. Leave the space if you need to.
- Report it.
In person, onsite: Anyone with an “Ask Me Questions” button can direct or escort you to a convention chair. We encourage you to make your complaint ONLY to the con chairs, so the matter can be quickly resolved and gossip can be avoided where possible.
Electronically: send a Direct Message to anyone with the Chair role on Discord. You can also email ALERT@escapadecon.net. If you do not hear back within 1 hour, please notify anyone wearing a “Ask Me Questions” badge that an email was sent. We do not want any potential electronic failure to make someone feel that action isn’t being taken.
Post-con: email ALERT@escapadecon.net and any past or present convention chairs, or DM anyone with a Chair role on the “Forever” Escapade Discord.
What will happen:
- We will consider your wishes. If you want the alleged violator approached, they may be:
- asked to explain their behavior and make amends;
- if the chairs determine that they behavior was unacceptable, they may be asked to acknowledge awareness that similar behavior could result in expulsion;
- be expelled from the convention;
- be banned from the convention, or other proportionally appropriate responses.
- if a crime has been committed, law enforcement may be contacted.
This policy applies throughout the convention, in any convention-sponsored events, and in convention-sponsored online communities or conversations. Further, it is expected at any private events held during the convention as part of the convention experience, and people hosting private parties should make themselves aware of these rules.
Escapade does tolerate (and support and encourage) responsible and authentic communication about people’s interests, desires, fascinations, passions, fandoms, and fan works.
We have stood for the freedom to express opposing points of view with the understanding that it is our opinions we argue and not our persons or our rights. We tolerate neither abuse nor efforts to silence others’ opinions, no matter how polite those efforts may be. We celebrate safe communication. And if you don’t feel safe, people have your back.
We’re committed to personal responsibility, respect, and being each other’s allies.
Photos and recordings. You need the permission of anyone you want to photograph or record. Please do not screen cap or record any online convention content.