RULES AND GUIDELINES

In order to keep SwampCon safe, allow us to remain family friendly, and comply with University of Florida policies, we have a few rules and guidelines you agree to follow when you attend SwampCon or participate in one of our online events. SwampCon staff reserve the right to eject attendees that do not abide by its rules.

PERSONAL CONDUCT

  • Hate speech, bigotry, and violence against minority groups is strictly against both our rules and our values. We are LGBT-friendly, and welcome people of all ages, races, cultures, beliefs, and genders.
  • Attendees are expected to treat each other, J. Wayne Reitz Student Union employees, SwampCon staff, and SwampCon volunteers with patience and courtesy. Lack of respect for others will not be tolerated.
  • Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Do not touch, follow, or repeatedly interact with attendees, guests, or staff unless given express permission. This includes “glomping” or any other unexpected physical contact. If you or someone you know experiences harassment while attending SwampCon, we encourage you to contact us or UFPD as soon as you can.
  • Attendees should treat vendors and artists, as well as their goods, with respect. Damage or theft of art, merchandise, or other booth items will be reported to UFPD.
  • Damage or theft of SwampCon materials, signage, and furniture, or any property belonging to the Student Union, will be reported to UFPD.
  • Attendees are expected to maintain good personal hygiene while at the convention. This includes showering regularly and wearing deodorant.

EXPLICIT MATERIAL

  • SwampCon is a family friendly convention. Any materials of an explicitly sexual or overly violent nature are not permitted.
  • While not explicitly sexual in nature, our yearly drag show may include strong language, revealing clothing, and songs with lyrics that may not be appropriate for children. For this reason, we ask that a parent or adult guardian accompany attendees that are younger than 18 to the drag show. IDs may be checked before the event.
  • Attendees wearing ahegao-themed merchandise of any kind will be ejected from the convention, and not permitted to return unless they change clothes.
  • Yaoi paddles, while not overtly explicit, are prohibited. Additionally, signs advertising “free hugs” or any other personal contact are not permitted, even if the advertisement is strictly platonic in nature.
  • Artists and vendors are not permitted to sell sexually explicit or violent materials at SwampCon. For more information about what is permitted at our Artist Alley and Vendor Hall, please see Become an Artist or Vendor for our full guidelines.
  • The following themes or “tropes” are especially banned from SwampCon: sexual or extremely violent content involving characters that are minors, sexual content of real people/actors, material that “ships” real people/actors, material that “ships” characters that are siblings or otherwise related, and material that presents sexual assault or harassment in a positive light. Any attendee, artist, or vendor found to be circulating these materials at the convention will be ejected, and may be banned from future attendance.

COSPLAY GUIDELINES

  • Cosplay is encouraged at SwampCon. However, we advise you to wear a cosplay that is comfortable and easy to maneuver, as some hallways within the Student Union are narrow or difficult to move through during the con.
  • Cosplayers must cover their entire pelvis while at the convention. Thongs, jock straps, and other articles that do not cover the entire posterior are not permitted. Additionally, cosplayers of all genders must cover their chest with at least as much coverage as a bikini top.
  • Cosplayers must wear shoes while at the convention. Shoes may be removed temporarily to take pictures, but they must be worn at all times otherwise.
  • Prop weapons that fire any kind of projectile are prohibited. Prop weapons that resemble real weapons must be clearly marked with orange caps, and should not be pointed at other people. Real firearms and ranged weapons cannot be used as props at SwampCon, even if they are not loaded or lack ammunition.
  • Real bladed weapons worn as part of a costume must be blunted. Blunted weapons must still be sheathed and peace-tied at all times, and should never be drawn. If you do not have a peace tie for your weapon, please report to the Information Desk, where convention staff will assist you.
  • Under no circumstances may a cosplayer swing or otherwise wield a prop weapon, even if there was no intent to cause harm. Cosplayers wishing to brandish a prop weapon for the purpose of pictures should make sure that they are clear of all bystanders before doing so, and should not swing the weapon in order to pose.
  • Do not touch cosplayers without their permission. Do no pressure a cosplayer to hug or otherwise touch you if they initially said no. Finally, do not take pictures of cosplayers without their consent. Harassing cosplayers in this way qualifies as sexual harassment, and will be reported to UFPD.
  • Out of courtesy, please do not ask cosplayers for pictures while they’re eating, in the VIP lounge, or otherwise while they’re resting.

UNIVERSITY POLICY

  • SwampCon complies with all University of Florida policies. Please visit https://regulations.ufl.edu/ to read all of UF’s Regulations.
  • Firearms and bladed weapons are not permitted at SwampCon.
  • Alcohol cannot be sold, distributed, or consumed at SwampCon.
  • Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, is prohibited on the University of Florida campus.
  • Please abide by all posted parking and traffic regulations while attending SwampCon.