Digital Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct for the convention GothCon's visitors, exhibitors and employees.
Discord
Admin
- Responsible for GothCon's Discord server being up and running as intended.
- Responsible for the appearance of GothCon's Discord server being updated and adjusted when necessary and possible.
- Assigns rights to the users who should have them.
Moderators
- Responsible for compliance with GothCon's digital code of conduct.
- Acts alone or together with other moderators when GothCon's digital code of conduct is not followed.
- Have at least one moderator on call constantly online during the convention.
Moderators and admins have a green username on the server.
Behavior
GothCon should be a fun and pleasant experience, free from harassment, where everyone feels welcome, and on that basis we have established a code of conduct that applies to everyone who participates in the convention. You can also read more this spring value base.
We do not tolerate harassment in any form and participants who are asked to stop harassing behavior are expected to do so immediately. If someone expresses themselves in a way that violates these guidelines, we reserve the right to ban the person from the server.
We also want to make everyone aware that online communication can be tricky. Especially text-based ones, but even voice chat without an image makes it difficult to fully understand what another person actually means. We miss out on facial expressions, body language, and when it comes to text; also tone of voice, which can cause misunderstandings to easily arise.
Confidentiality and Security
Be aware that there is a possibility that things you say/write here may become public. While we naturally expect all participants to respect that what is shared here should not be shared publicly, we cannot guarantee that participants will not take screenshots or otherwise save what is said here. We also cannot guarantee that everyone's devices or connections are secure. Files uploaded to the server can be downloaded by anyone who has access to it. Therefore, we refrain from publishing login information or any other type of sensitive information that could cause you or someone else to be harmed if it were made public.
Prompt
Although all participants are allowed to use any username as long as it does not violate any of the harassment rules, we encourage everyone to change their nickname on the server to their preferred first name (which may also be a nickname) and pronouns. Example: Nina, she or Nina – he/him, Nina (she)
To make these changes, do this: When you are inside the server, you will see yourself in the list of who is online. Right-click on your name and select "change nickname", which only changes for the server you are logged on to.
Harassment
Harassment includes but is not limited to:
- Offensive comments about gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, functional diversity, mental health, neurodivergent, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, age or religion.
- Unsolicited comments regarding a person's lifestyle; including food, health, parenting, drug use or professional life.
- Deliberate misgendering or using "dead" names.
- Simulated physical contact (ie, written descriptions of actions such as “hug” or “gives a back massage”) without consent or after being asked to stop.
- Threats of violence
- Inciting violence against any person, including encouraging self-harm or suicide.
- Deliberately try to scare
- Excerpt interfering with discussions
- Unwelcome sexual or romantic advances
- Continued one-on-one or individual communication upon request that it cease
- Publication of private communications
Jargon during games
Since we play games at GothCon and there is often violence and other horrors in such contexts, we of course understand that there may arise what, taken out of context, may sound like a call to violence. These are special situations where we appeal to the good judgment and common sense of all participants. It should be fun and feel safe to participate in all of GothCon's events.
At the convention, you may end up in a gaming group where everyone doesn't know each other. We therefore want to remind you that the jargon you are used to may not work or get across in a good way and you should therefore think about the use of, for example, sarcasm and irony. This is especially important in text.
Drug-free convention
GothCon is an alcohol and drug free convention. However, this does not mean that we can prevent participants who participate from home from consuming drugs or alcohol, but we strongly encourage participants to refrain.
Sexual content
It is neither appropriate nor permitted to share sexually explicit content on GothCon's Discord server, whether it is consensual or not.
Reporting
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, contact the moderators or the safety hosts. They will address the issue as soon as they can.
We will respect the wish to remain anonymous regarding the victim(s). We may, at our own discretion, make public the person about whom we have received a complaint, or warn third parties individually about him. We will not name the victim(s) without their explicit consent. Should a police report become relevant, we are at your service.
Consequences
Participants who have been asked to stop harassing behavior are expected to correct themselves immediately. If someone expresses themselves in a way that violates these guidelines, those in charge may take action such as banning the person from the server. In case of suspension, the registration fee is not refunded. Chat logs over the server may be saved and handed over to the police in the event of a police report.