Policies

Harassment

Graphic-Con’s goal is to bring together fans of all ages in a fun, safe, and welcoming environment. As such, bullying and harassing behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated. Please remember: Cosplay is not consent. A costume is not permission to touch, hit or photograph any person. Do not touch any attendee of the convention, even when taking a photograph with them, unless you have asked their permission to do so. If you would like to take a picture with or of another Graphic-Con attendee, always ask first and respect that person’s right to say no.

Graphic-Con has a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to:

• offensive verbal comments
• physical assault and/or battery
• harassing and/or non-consensual photography or recording
• sustained disruption of panels and other events
• stalking
• intimidation
• bathroom policing
• inappropriate physical contact
• unwelcome physical attention

If a person engages in harassing behaviour, Graphic-Con Staff will take prompt action in any form they deem appropriate, including expulsion from the event. Our policy applies to EVERYONE at the convention. Exhibitors, Attendees, Guests, Press, Staff, Volunteers, and Security are all subject to our anti-harassment policy.

Anyone can report harassment. If someone’s behaviour has made you uncomfortable, or if you witness the same happening to someone else, you should immediately report it to anyone wearing a Graphic-Con staff t-shirt. Graphic-Con staff will then take appropriate action including notifying security.

If necessary, we will contact local law enforcement, provide escort, offer a safe place or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to make sure they feel safe for the rest of Graphic-Con.

Cosplay

When putting together your costume, please be mindful that Graphic-Con is a family friendly event. Please use common sense, be considerate of other attendees and be aware of your surroundings.

Nudity is not permitted. Cover your body parts. “No costume” is not a costume. “Paint” is not a costume, either. No intentional or unintentional “wardrobe malfunctions” allowed. Please make sure your costume is sturdily constructed; this includes proper undergarments. If your costume is deemed to be too revealing or offensive, you will be asked to cover up or change.

Shoes or other footwear must be worn at all times, even if your cosplay character is normally barefoot. Protective footwear is highly recommended, but not required.

All military, law enforcement and other emergency service costumes should be easily distinguishable from official uniforms.

Hate symbols, even historical hate symbols like swastikas, will not be tolerated at Graphic-Con. Roller blades, roller-skates and skateboards will not be allowed at the convention.

Weapons

No functional weapons of any kind are allowed at Graphic-Con.

Simulated or costume weapons are allowed as a part of your costume. All replica firearms must be fitted with orange barrel tips/caps.

Guidelines:

All weapons must be easily distinguishable from real weapons and must be constructed from safe, lightweight material. Approved materials are: rubber, plastic, (PVC, worbla, etc.), foam, cardboard and paper-mache.

All prop firearms must be incapable of firing projectiles and have an orange cap on the barrel. Projectiles or any type of ammunition are forbidden. BB guns, paintball guns, dart guns, blow guns and water guns and their own accompanying ammunition will NOT be permitted.

Nerf guns are allowed, but ammunition of any kind (foam or otherwise) is prohibited. Nerf guns must pass weapons check.

Plastic air-soft guns are permitted with several requirements:

• No ammunition or projectiles of any kind will be allowed.
• Air-soft guns must be rendered completely inoperable beforehand, that is the gun shall not have any batteries installed, nor gas/propellant in the chamber and the chamber must be filled with wax or similar material.
• All air-soft guns must have a clearly visible orange tip on the barrel.
• All air-soft guns will be marked by security at weapons check and have their triggers zip-tied to ensure that the gun is incapable of firing.

Metal weapons of any kind are forbidden, including hammers, scissors (including “safety scissors”), screwdrivers, saws, chains, nun-chucks, brass knuckles, shields, X-Men-style claws, handcuffs and the like. No “live steel” is allowed, such as metal swords, knives or blades of any kind. If you have any of these types of weapons with your costume, please make sure they are made out of approved materials.

Small, lightweight, metal objects like Sonic Screwdrivers, Lightsaber handles and umbrellas and wooden wands a la “Harry Potter” are allowed, but must not be used as functional weapons.

Costume bows are allowed, insomuch as they are so loosely strung that they cannot shoot projectiles of any kind. Prop arrows are permitted, as long as they are not sharply tipped, cannot be fired, are made of approved materials and cannot conceivably hurt anyone.

Costume swords/daggers made from approved materials are allowed, but may not have any sharp edges. Wooden swords are allowed, but must be tied to your costume in such a way that they cannot be drawn or unsheathed. If you wish to draw your sword to pose for a picture, it must be made of approved materials. Metal blades are not allowed, whether they are sheathed or not.

No wooden or aluminum/metal bats are permitted. This includes baseball bats, cricket bats, clubs, paddles, golf clubs and similar objects. Bats made from approved materials are allowed. Staffs (staves), similar to those found in Lord of the Rings, for instance, will be allowed, insomuch as they are used for walking and/or decoration, and not as a weapon. Wooden staffs are allowed, but must be lightweight and may not have any sharpened edges or tips. All staffs must be inspected by security.

Items such as bullwhips, ropes and lassos are allowed, but must remain rolled and secured at all times. These items will be subject to a weapons check.

Incendiary or flammable weapons are prohibited, including any items that are capable of igniting sparks or flames, burning, exploding or combusting.

Do not display your weapons or props in a threatening or menacing manner. (For instance, it’s ok to pose for a picture, but cosplayers should not brandish weapons while walking the event floor.)

Keep prop weapons in convention areas. If you leave the premises or go out into public for any reason, please put away any and all prop weaponry immediately.

Failure to willingly comply with Graphic-Con’s official cosplay rules and weapons policy may result in ejection from the convention and/or potential legal action, if necessary.

***All rules and regulations are subject to change. ***

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE COSPLAY OR WEAPONS IDEA, PLEASE E-MAIL US: cosplay@graphiccon.ca