Safety Policy

Purpose

Prairie Fire Gaming is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome people of all backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ folks and especially trans people—you belong here, full stop. Harassment or unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical, visual, or in any other form, is strictly prohibited. This policy applies to all persons involved in the operation or attendance of any venue or event in which Prairie Fire Gaming is involved. Prairie Fire Gaming will not tolerate harassment of anyone, by anyone, including participants, vendors, hosts, volunteers, or staff.

Respectful Conflict

The games we play often revolve around disagreement and can get tense—that’s part of what makes them exciting. Respectful conflict can lead to productive results, but it must be offered in good faith.

We have a call-in culture, not a call-out one. Assume good faith. Separate identity from behavior. Harm can occur without malice, and when it does, we address it with understanding and accountability. Inclusion means everyone is welcome and everyone is accountable. Every participant’s intention should be a positive experience for all involved.

Definition of Harassment

Prairie Fire Gaming defines harassment as any behavior that threatens a person or group or produces an unsafe or non-inclusive environment. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, offensive verbal comments or non-verbal expressions related to gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, age, or religious beliefs.

Examples of Harassment

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Sexual or discriminatory images in public and quasi-public spaces (online and offline)
• Intimidation, stalking, following
• Harassing photography or recording
• Sustained disruption of talks or other events
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Unwelcome sexual attention
• Discriminatory or insensitive jokes, teasing, or epithets
• Display or discussion of offensive written or graphic material
• Repeatedly standing too close to or brushing against a person
• Giving gifts of an unwanted or sexual nature
• Cultural appropriation, including costumes or “characters” that mock or stereotype cultures, ethnicities, or nationalities

Advocating for or encouraging any of the above is also considered harassment.

Cosplay, Costumes, and Cultural Sensitivity

We love when players get into character.

Dress up.

Have fun.

Bring props.

But:

Do not use costumes or “characters” to mock, stereotype, or appropriate marginalized cultures, ethnicities, or nationalities.

Ask yourself: are you playing a character thoughtfully, or are you reducing someone’s culture to a joke or caricature? Context and power dynamics matter here—what reads as playful when you’re engaging with your own culture can be harmful when it’s someone else’s.

This includes (but is not limited to) costumes or performances that rely on racial or ethnic stereotypes: sombreros and bandoliers for Latin American settings, “geisha” costumes for Japanese settings, headdresses or war paint for Indigenous settings, turbans and fake beards for Middle Eastern settings.

If your costume or character concept makes you think “Is this okay?”—it’s probably not. When in doubt, ask a gamerunner before the event. If we have to ask you to change or leave, you will.

Almost every megagame asks players to be characters or inhabit roles that represent positions and cultures different from your own. We ask that you play characters from different cultures respectfully. Wear clothing appropriate to the setting if you want and act like you belong, but if you’re treating someone’s heritage as a costume or joke, you’re out.

Reporting and Response

No one should tolerate conduct of this type. If you experience or witness harassment, you may:

• If safe, ask the offender to stop.
• Leave the area.
• Ask a Prairie Fire Gaming gamerunner for help.
• Contact the police or other authorities.

You may also make a confidential report by emailing info@prairiefiregaming.com or speaking to an Event Lead. Reports will be handled confidentially and without retaliation against good faith complainants.

Prairie Fire Gaming Response

Prairie Fire Gaming reserves the right to take immediate and appropriate action, including but not limited to:

• Reviewing reported incidents.
• Issuing formal warnings.
• Removing offenders from the premises without refund.
• Imposing permanent bans from future Prairie Fire Gaming events.
• Contacting law enforcement.

Code of Conduct

Prairie Fire Gaming’s policies apply in all physical and online spaces within Prairie Fire Gaming’s control, including event venues, social media, Discord servers, and online events.

Out-of-Scope Behavior

Prairie Fire Gaming may consider actions that occur outside its events when those actions pose a risk to participant safety or could contribute to a hostile environment at Prairie Fire Gaming activities. Examples include:

• Individuals with a history of abusive behavior, even if incidents occurred outside Prairie Fire Gaming.
• Prairie Fire Gaming participants reported for conduct at other conventions, abusive online behavior, or assault.

Interpersonal Conflicts

Some disagreements or interpersonal conflicts do not rise to harassment or abuse. Prairie Fire Gaming will not arbitrate such disputes—participants are asked to leave these conflicts at home.

Limitations of Liability

Prairie Fire Gaming is not responsible for the actions of participants toward one another. We will take appropriate action when violations of this policy are reported, but we cannot guarantee participant safety or prevent all incidents. Participants attend events at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety and well-being.

Continuous Improvement

Prairie Fire Gaming strives to maintain a safe and welcoming environment. Suggestions for improvement may be sent to info@prairiefiregaming.com.