KC Zine Collective strives to create an inclusive, engaging, and welcoming environment at both in-person and virtual events for everyone who wishes to participate regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, physicality, internal disabilities, age, religion, or marital status. Our safer space is supportive by being free of oppressive and harassing behavior, actions, and language, where everyone can feel comfortable and safe to have fun while respecting each other’s boundaries.
KC Zine Con attendees and exhibitors agree to maintain a safer space by abiding by the following guidelines:
- Respect peoples’ physical and emotional boundaries, as well as their identities and backgrounds, including their pronouns.
- Respect peoples’ differing opinions, beliefs, and perspectives.
- Always get explicit consent before physically touching another person, photographing them (including taking screenshots of streamed workshops and panels), or crossing other personal boundaries.
- Be aware the original intent of your actions and words is not always how they will be received, and respect those you are engaging with, with a willingness to adjust your behavior to promote a safer space.
The following will not be tolerated:
- Discrimination and/or denying the humanity of others, including: racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, bi-phobia, transphobia, religious intolerance, ageism, sizeism
- Theft of money or property.
- Physical, verbal, or mental abuse. Hate speech.
- Sexual harassment, inappropriate/unwelcome comments and behaviors.
- Disruptive or disrespectful behavior that jeopardizes the safety of everyone at the fest.
- Intentionally causing a participant or attendee to feel distressed or unsafe.
- Using your KCZC table or virtual table to scam or phish participants.
The organizers of KC Zine Con are unable to preview all possible exhibitor materials before the event. If participants find certain materials to be in violation of our safer spaces guidelines, KC Zine Con volunteers encourage you to make us aware by talking to a KCZC volunteer (at an in-person event), direct messaging the KCZC Host (for virtual events), or sending us an email at kczinecon@proton.me.
Should an issue arise with an exhibitor or attendee before or during the event, KC Zine Con organizers will be available to hear those concerns and attempt to mediate and find a solution that is in the best interests of promoting a safer space. The KC Zine Con organizers reserve the right to ask any participants who are violating the safer spaces policy to change or address their behavior or language. If anyone violating the safer spaces policy is unable to refrain from their unsafe behavior or language, they will be asked to leave the event and/or forfeit their table without refund of their tabling fee.
In short: just don’t be a jerk!