Conduct & Policies

All people shall behave themselves in such a manner as to not bring discredit or dishonor upon themselves, the Queen City Steam Team, The Queen Bee or other guests.

• All participants, spectators, guests and QCS Team shall be treated with all due dignity and respect.
• People are responsible for the conduct of their friends, visitors, pets and children.
• Be respectful of people’s space and property. Ask before handling someone else's props or costuming. Some props can be fragile, and it’s just basic respect to ask someone before touching their property.
• Any potential hazardous accessories should be cleared with The Queen Bee or the QCS Team. Most events require weaponry to have “peace ties” or “safety tape” for identification. If there are going to be real or potentially dangerous weaponry at an event, please get approval beforehand. 
• Personal conflicts between anyone will be dealt with outside of an event or venue, with the exception being dangers to life/health of spectators and guests. “What happens in real life, stays in real life.” Mediators will be provided should they be requested to help with conflicts. Openness and communication are welcomed.
• Gatekeeping will not be tolerated. Steampunk is what each individual wishes it to be for them. What Steampunk means to one person, can be completely different for another, and it is important for everyone to respect that. 
• Failure to abide by the Code of Conduct may be grounds for corrective action, at the discretion of The Queen Bee or the QCS Team, up to and including discharge from the event. The severity of the issue will determine which steps will be appropriate. 
• Use common sense, enjoy, have fun and be safe! The purpose of Queen City Steam is to build friendships, learn new skills, go on adventures and have a good time together! If we can remember that it’s all in fun, there should not be problems adhering to the rules.

 Queen City Steam wants everyone to have fun at our events, so it’s important for us to share what we feel are sensible guidelines. While our goal is to collaborate with other groups, we also believe that it’s important to share what we think is necessary to make everyone feel safe and secure. That being said, everyone at a Queen City Steam event is required to abide by our policies.

• Treat people with respect and dignity. All attendees, vendors, exhibitors, volunteers, and staff must abide by the Queen City Steam Safety Policy against Harassment (see below).
• Please treat our venue staff and property with respect. Please pick up after yourself and remember that staff are people just like you and deserve respect.
• Real firearms are not permitted at Queen City Steam events. Actual firearms are not permitted within the convention for the safety of everyone.
• If it’s illegal outside of the event, it’s illegal at our event. We abide by city, state, and federal laws.
• Keep conduct appropriate and considerate. Be mindful of your surroundings and fellow attendees when in public spaces.
• Room parties (if applicable) and other announcements should be shared with the QCS Team. This is so we can keep track of what is going on and be able to share news as we find it out. 
• For the safety and courtesy of other attendees, Queen City Steam reserves the right to refuse entry to the show to anyone deemed by the QCS Team to be in violation of our Rules & Safety Policies. We reserve the right to ask you to leave if you are behaving in an uncivilized manner. 

Queen City Steam has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment. Harassment is generally any behavior that annoys, alarms, or threatens another person or group of any kind, including but not limited to:

• Stalking.
• Offensive verbal comments.
• Non-consensual photography/recording.
• Bathroom policing.
• Unwelcome physical attention.
• Intimidation.
• Physical assault and/or battery.

In relation to, but not limited to:

• Race.
• Color.
• National Origin.
• Gender.
• Gender Identity.
• Gender Presentation.
• Sexual Orientation.
• Age.
• Body Size.
• Disability.
• Appearance.
• Religion.
• Citizenship.
• Pregnancy. 

Our policy applies to EVERYONE at events. Exhibitors, entertainers, attendees, speakers, guests, professionals, press, staff, volunteers, chairs, and security are all subject to our anti-harassment policy and will be held to the same standards and disciplinary action. 

Harassment of people online or in electronic venues will be treated as seriously as physical harassment. Making any member of the public feel unwelcome at any Queen City Steam event is also considered harassment.

If a person engages in harassing behavior the QCS Team will take prompt action in any form they deem appropriate, including expulsion from any event with no refund.

Anyone can report harassment. If someone’s behavior has made you uncomfortable you should immediately contact a member of the QCS Team or venue security/management. Include as much detail as you feel comfortable disclosing so we can address the situation immediately. If you are still in the area where the incident took place and it is safe to stay, do so, and someone will meet you. If necessary we will provide escort, offer a safe place to talk, and assist anyone experiencing harassment to make sure they are safe and feel safe for the entirety of the event. We will also contact local law enforcement if it is necessary and stay with you until they arrive.

In all cases where someone has told you or demonstrated that they do not wish to interact with you, do not contact them in any fashion, including through an intermediary, unless and until they approach you of their own initiative. Just as you do not owe anyone your time, your attention, or physical contact, no one owes you theirs. 

If you wish to report an incident after an event, or would like to express your concern about an incident that occurred outside of Queen City Steam involving someone(s), you may email us at any time at QueenBee@queencitysteam.com.

Queen City Steam wants everyone to have a fun, enjoyable and entertaining event.

 Overt consensual sexual activity in public spaces will not be tolerated as we want to create family-friendly events. This, however, does not restrict “public acts or displays of affection”. Queen City Steam asks that you keep in mind the age and sensibilities of your fellow guests. Non-consensual sexual activity will be immediately turned over to local law enforcement. 

We are well aware that many people enjoy carrying and displaying their weapons and props. If the weapon is a toy you are more than welcome to keep it out in the open. If the weapon is based on a real gun, blade or knife we ask that you peace-bind it to a holster or sheath for the safety of you and the other guests. You can also use orange paint on the weapon to show it’s not real. For the safety of others, you may be asked to show your weapon to security. They are only doing their job so please respect them. We want to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable event.

Individuals are prohibited from possessing functional firearms, explosives or items designated as weapons by Queen City Steam. Any individual found in possession of a concealed weapon will be reported to local law enforcement and ejected from the event regardless of the individual’s conceal-carry status or credentials.

We ask that you never brandish your weapon in a provoking, harassing or threatening manner. 

Any weapon-like prop transported from or between venues is done at your own risk and should be preferably cased and/or transported inside a vehicle. 

If you are concerned that your weapon-like prop may be viewed as a weapon or inadmissible, please contact QueenBee@queencitysteam.com for a preliminary review based on our current policy.

Queen City Steam will never tell you what to wear as long as it’s appropriate while attending our events. Some events may have a dress code and that will be posted accordingly. When choosing your ensemble(s) and accessories please consider the age, sensibilities, and safety of your fellow guests as we want to run family-friendly events. During events the family-friendly atmosphere may be relaxed, but please keep in mind there is still a “time and place” for some ensembles and accessory choices. Queen City Steam reserves the right to work with our guests to comply with the above conditions, direct the guest to remove the safety or inadmissible concern OR in extreme cases, confiscate items that pose a safety concern for the duration of the event.

“Offensive” Cosplays: Cosplays and/or insignia representing or associated with hate groups (e.g. - Nazi, KKK, etc.), Cosplays “in bad taste” (e.g. - suicide bomber), and/or Cosplays meant specifically to harass individuals or groups (e.g. - cosplaying as your ex in order to humiliate them) are strictly forbidden. Cosplays that display messages or images deemed to be inappropriate or offensive by event staff in line with our harassment policy will not be permitted. Including, but not limited to: explicit language, sexually suggestive or racially offensive material.

For the safety and well-being of all guests, the QCS Team has the right to ask attendees to change or cover offensive clothing, and in some cases could result in removal from the event.

•  Individuals using illegal substances as defined by the State and Federal Law of any kind will be immediately turned over to local law enforcement. 
• Individuals of legal age to smoke by law 18+ (as of date of event) may do so in designated smoking areas (this includes tobacco and any e-cigarette products).
• Individuals of legal age to drink by law 21+ (as of date of event) may do so in designated areas or your private room if staying locally. Queen City Steam asks that guests who drink do so in moderation, enjoy responsibly, and do not overindulge to the point of incident.
• Individuals found to be over intoxicated or a danger to themselves or others may be subject to, but not limited to:

1. Being warned to reduce the rate of consumption of alcoholic beverages.
2. Declined further service by event servers or by the hosts of any private party.
3. Assisted to their accommodations for their safety.
4. Referred to local authorities in excessive circumstances.

 Any property damage or theft will not be tolerated. Individuals will be immediately turned over to local law enforcement. This also includes setting off fire alarms or causing a mass exodus from event spaces. If anyone from an event is found doing this, immediate legal action will take place and you will be removed from the event and ALL AASC (American Association of Steampunk Conventions) conventions in North America. 

 Any individual present may be asked to present valid credentials at any time. This is for a couple reasons:

• If it’s a ticketed event, valid event credentials (ticket/name tag) are required. This is to ensure access to those guests that have paid for, or are otherwise connected to the event. If credentials are lost, please contact Queen City Steam for replacements.
• Valid State Issued ID or Driver’s License, County Issued Passport or School ID. This is for making sure that the age requirements are being upheld for an event and for the purchase or consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• If you have special medical needs or allergies, it is requested that you have medical or legal documentation so you can be assisted should a medical emergency arise.
• To assist Queen City Steam or other authorities in the case of a situation or emergency, it is good to have your specific credentials on you at all times.

Individuals are reminded that Queen City Steam conforms and abides by all venue, City, County, State, and Federal Policies and laws. Due to insurance, liability, safety, and by choice at the discretion of Queen City Steam, some policies may be further restrictive than those specified by the venue, City, County, State, and Federal Policy and laws.