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Code of Conduct

  • Introduction
  • General Rating of Fur-B-Que
  • Costumes and Clothing
  • Props and Weapons
  • Attendance by Minors / Age Policy
  • Pet Policy
  • Other Property Matters
  • Buying and Selling
  • Harassment
  • Media Relations and Use of Event Images or Footage
  • Payments to Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic Association, Inc.
  • Miscellaneous notes
    •

The following general rule supersedes all others listed below and may be invoked at any time:

Any action or behavior that causes significant interference with event operations, excessive discomfort to other attendees, or adversely affects our relationship with our guests, venues or the public is strictly forbidden and may result in permanent suspension of attendee privileges.

Introduction

The primary purpose of our event is for our attendees to have fun. To ensure that the greatest number of people achieve this objective we have established certain rules of conduct.

By them we seek only to ensure that the behavior of any one small group does not disturb the attendees, nor does it detract from the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere of the event.

We welcome all parties with an interest in anthropomorphic animals; however, the event’s management reserves the right to deny or revoke the membership of any individual at any time for any reason. We will deny admittance or remove anyone whom we have reason to believe represents a danger to the safety and well-being of our attendees. This includes but is not limited to anyone known to be convicted of a violent crime or criminal abuse. Any action that assists an individual known to be unwelcome at our event to attend or be present in any areas our event occupies will result in revocation of attendance and possibly future denial of admittance.

We also reserve the right to amend these rules at any time without prior or posted notice and reserves the sole right of interpretation. In any dispute, the general rule above will apply.

If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance.

Anyone who accepts a membership badge agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the event, and Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic Association, Inc. from any claim for personal injuries or other damages or equity arising out of any individual’s activities at Our events, even if such injury or damage is caused by negligence by or on the part of Our staff or volunteers.

As a condition of membership, all attendees are required to abide by these standards of conduct for the entire duration of their stay.

General Rating of the event

All event areas are “PG-13” at all times.

We hope that our attendees will enjoy the fun and educational aspects of our event. We ask that you consider how your actions will reflect on the event, our community, and how they will impact of affect others. If you are about to do or say anything that makes you think twice before doing it, then maybe you shouldn’t do it. At the very least, ask a staff member for guidance.

Costumes and Clothing

We welcome everyone to show us their creativity through their costuming and clothing, if they are appropriate for all ages. Collars, leashes and sled-dog like harnesses may be worn with costumes or discreetly with normal clothing. For public safety, leashes should not be held between two people.

Attendees, when in public areas, may not wear clothing which is overly revealing or inappropriate to the atmosphere of the event. Overt displays of bondage/BDSM may result in the Rangers asking you to leave public event space. We reserve the right to decide on any individual items irrespective of public opinion. In general, the minimum standard is that a non-thong bathing suit should be worn at all times. Additionally, “Anatomically correct” costumes must likewise be appropriately clothed.

Public displays of affection beyond what is appropriate for polite company are frowned upon.

You will be asked to express your devotion to your significant other either in less conspicuous ways, or in private.

Any attire or imagery that is commonly used in conjunction with hate speech, and hate speech is not welcome at Fur-B-Que. Hate has no home here.

Props and Weapons

In order to avoid damage to our host venue, we do not allow water pistols, silly string, or any thrown or projectile type toy to be used in any areas. Our region has strict laws regarding replica weapons. Things such as AirSoft are illegal, there should be no live steel or whips as part of a costume. Please see our Rangers for assistance if any of these are part of your costume.

No actual weapons or any item that can be easily mistaken for one may be carried either openly or concealed at any time on event property, regardless of any government permits which you may possess. Exceptions may be made only for duly appointed law enforcement officers by prior arrangement with the Ranger Chief.

Realistic weapon replicas are permitted as part of a costume and must be appropriately peace-bonded; see the Ranger Chief for instruction on how to do so. They must be cased or otherwise secured when being carried outside of costume. Please remember that our region has a history of police operating under the “Silhouette Law”. This means that if a police officer believes that your prop looks like a dangerous weapon, they can react to it as if it is. Please keep all prop weapons inside the event area unless excepted by an event such as the Fursuit parade. Always obey all instructions from police or other authorities. During an encounter/incident is not the time to dispute the reason or cause for the instructions. That is what a courtroom is for.

Attendance by Minors/Under age 21

In an effort to align our policies with local government guidelines regarding minors, our age guidelines have been updated beginning with our event.

All minors ages 16 and under must be within visable contact with their designated parent/guardian. Anyone under the age of 16 is not permitted attendance to the event without a legal parent or guardian. For Attendees between the ages of 16 and 21, they will receive a minor badge to aid with age clarification due to the fact adult beverages are allowed at the event. If a minor is found with an adult beverage, they will be asked to leave immediately, without refund, and banned from any future events.

21 and older: If you are planning on drinking at the event, you MUST check-in at the welcome tent, present ID, an receieve the designated stamp for consumption approval. A valid ID must be presented no matter what age the "person may appear to be". Please drink responsibly. If a person is causing a disturbance from what appears to be alcohol or any other type of drug, first responder personel will be notified.

Anyone providing false documentation of identity or age will be denied membership and reported to the police

Pet Policy

We do not generally allow pets. This is for the protection of the pet, the pet owner, and our attendees.

Service dogs are permitted in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If in doubt, please speak with our Ranger staff. We generally conform to the wishes and regulations of our host venue. This permission unfortunately does not extend to emotional support animals. The sale or other distribution of any illegal or controlled substances is not welcome at our events. Any individual found to be distributing such substances will be removed and reported directly to the local authorities. While marijuana products may or may not be legal in the area we’re in, the rules regarding smoking or vaping for the event still applies. Attendees should not smoke in the active event area. It is preferable for attendees to contain all smoking to the parking area.

Other property matters

Any act of vandalism, deliberate or excessive damage to the property, will result in permanent revocation of attendee privileges, criminal prosecution, fines, or any combination thereof.

Buying and Selling

The offering for sale of any merchandise at the event may be undertaken only in areas designated by the event, such as the Flea Market; in all cases the sale will be governed by the rules applicable to those areas. Selling merchandise or services in any other area of the event is not allow and may result in being asked to leave the event.

Harassment

We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free event for everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, or religious beliefs. We do not tolerate harassment, verbally or physically, of event attendees, volunteers, staff, or guests.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

We investigate reports of harassment during the event and will take appropriate action to respond to legitimate claims including but not limited to, revocation of event membership. This may result in additional actions such as but not limited to, removal from the premises, at the venue’s discretion.

Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic Association, Inc. also reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to refer reports of harassment to Venue security and to law enforcement.

People who harass our attendees, volunteers, staff, and guests (including by attempting to abuse this policy) are not welcome at our events.

Fursuiting / Cosplay is not consent: Just because they’re wearing a fursuit, does not mean that they want to be touched. please be sure to ask permission before touching anyone.

Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic Association, Inc. does not allow anyone that is required to be on a sexual offender registry to attend our events. By registering, accepting an attendee badge, or by attending any MidAnthro events, the attendee attests that they are not listed on any sexual offender registry. Anyone found to be on a sexual offender registry after the fact will have their registrations cancelled without refund and removed from the event.

If you have questions or need clarification on our policy, please contact us at info@furbque.org.

Media Relations and Use of event Images or Footage

Fur-B-Que is a private event and any media footage taken should only be used for personal uses or by use of Fur-B-Que for promotional purposes. Professional media coverage is not allowed at the event.

The name "Fur-B-Que" and the Fur-B-Que logo are registered service marks of Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic Association, Inc. and must not be used in any fashion that disparages or dilutes that mark. Members agree to remove from circulation or publication any image or recording that in the sole opinion of Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic Association, Inc. misrepresents or defames its service mark.

Money Matters

Please note that Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic Association, Inc., is a 501(c)3 charitable organization ID #82-1071057 . Donations may be tax-deductible, and receipts will be provided upon request. Consult your tax advisor for guidance.

We do not accept checks for payment. We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. Chargebacks (denying a charge) that are made for the sole purpose of avoiding payment, that are made without sufficient cause, or that are made without first attempting to resolve the dispute with MidAnthro may result in permanent revocation of membership privileges and possible legal action.

Membership badges are non-refundable.

Members who have an outstanding balance due to any MidAnthro event must settle that balance before being permitted to attend future events.

We cannot involve itself in financial disputes between individual members and cannot divulge information about an individual member to any party other than to banking officials or legal authorities.

Miscellaneous notes

Please remember that your event badge is the property of MidAnthro, and must be presented and/or surrendered to any Staff member requesting it. If you have any problem with any action taken by a Staff member you may take the matter up with the Chief of Ranger or an event chair.

Please be reminded that these rules involve, of course, “worst-case” scenarios and are put into place to ensure the safety and comfort of our members. They are also not all-inclusive; in all cases, the superseding rule always applies. We anticipate no difficulties, as our members are rational and responsible adults.

Have fun – just please remember to be courteous of those around you while doing so!