Furry Weekend Atlanta reserves the right to revoke or suspend membership and passes, without refunds, for violations of the attendee policies outlined below.   Any actions that violate local, state, or federal laws are also understood to violate these policies.  Criminal activities will result in the revocation of membership and may involve the engagement of law enforcement.

• Definition of Convention Space: “Convention space” includes all areas leased by or reserved for the sole use of Furry Weekend Atlanta. This includes but is not limited to all hotel ballrooms, pre-function areas, common areas, break-out rooms, conference rooms, event spaces, event suites, any other hotel space, off-property venue or vehicles leased or contractually reserved for the sole use of Furry Weekend Atlanta.
• Security Cameras in Convention Space: As our events are held within hotels and other public venues, it should be expected that any space not within a guest room may be subject to recording or monitoring by security cameras. These cameras may be placed and monitored by the venue operator, FWA or both.  Additionally, law enforcement, safety or security personnel may be wearing body cameras during the performance of their duties.
• Personal Transport Devices: Scooters, bicycles, skateboards, Segways, roller skates, hoverboards, Heelys, and any non-mobility aid vehicles are strictly prohibited within the hotel and convention areas. Exceptions are made only for ADA-compliant mobility devices. Please be mindful of this policy to help ensure a safe environment for all guests.
• Membership Wristband: Attendees are identified by a convention wristband. Wristbands must be secured to your wrist at all times in convention areas and presented or surrendered to any FWA staff member upon request. Wristbands remain the property of Furry Weekend Atlanta for the duration of the convention.
• Wristband Misuse: Furry Weekend Atlanta membership wristbands are individual, non-transferable, and may not be shared or duplicated in any way. Any person using a membership wristband other than their own will have that wristband confiscated and will be asked to either purchase a valid membership or leave the convention space. Any member knowingly allowing another person to use their wristband will have their membership revoked and will be asked to leave the convention space.
• Lost or Stolen Wristbands: Should your wristband be lost or stolen, you must visit registration to have it deactivated immediately upon discovering it is lost. Furry Weekend Atlanta will replace your wristband as a courtesy, at no cost to you. If Furry Weekend Atlanta finds evidence indicating the misuse of your membership, we reserve the right to require the purchase of a replacement, full-price membership to replace the misused wristband.
• Adjustments: If your wristband is too tight, or If you need to cut or remove your wristband for any reason, please bring all pieces of it along with ID to registration as soon as possible for a replacement.
• Forgery and Fraud: Registration is the primary source of income for Furry Weekend Atlanta. Acts of forgery or falsification of registration information are taken very seriously. Anyone found with a forged, altered, or misused wristband or anyone providing false registration information, including payment information, will be removed from convention space and barred from attending future Furry Weekend Atlanta events. Anyone attempting to enter the convention without a legitimately purchased or obtained membership will be reminded to proceed to registration and purchase a membership. Anyone attempting to re-enter the convention after refusing to purchase a membership will be removed, and may be turned over to on-site law enforcement.
• Lifetime Membership Registration: Furry Weekend Atlanta offers a Lifetime Membership option. Attendees who purchase the Lifetime Membership will receive an Attending-level membership for every year that the event is held. Lifetime Memberships, along with the associated annual attending registration, is not transferable, even if the lifetime member is unable to attend. If a Lifetime Membership holder is removed from the convention, their membership for that year will be revoked. We reserve the right to permanently revoke lifetime memberships without refund for serious or repeated violations of our policies.
• Rating: All public spaces in the hotel must maintain a PG-13 rating. Please remember that other hotel guests, including minors, may be present, and your behavior reflects on the fandom as a whole. All daytime convention programming will maintain a maximum rating of PG-13. Some evening events may be rated 18+, sometimes referred to as “After Dark” or “AD” events, and may include mature topics and strong language. Minors are not permitted to attend or attempt to attend these events. These events are designated as “18+” or “after dark” on our schedule.

Nightly DJs and Event Stages may contain strong language and content not suitable for all audiences. As such, DJs and Event Stages occurring after 9:00p are considered to have a content rating equivalent to the RIAA’s “Explicit Content - Parental Advisory”.  It is the responsibility of parents or guardians of minor attendees to ensure minors only attend appropriate events for their age group.

• After Dark (AD) Events: Specifically marked events scheduled after 9:00 pm each day of the convention are considered “After Dark” or “AD” events. This means that the content inside of the event is mature and is restricted to attendees aged 18 or older. These events may take place in Panel Rooms, Ballrooms, Hotel Suites, or other designated areas.

Please note that common space inside the hotel must always be suitable for all audiences. When traveling to or from an “After Dark” or “AD” event, attendees must ensure their attire and behavior adhere to a PG-13 rating.

• Minors: A minor at Furry Weekend Atlanta is classified as an attendee who is under the age of 18 as of opening ceremonies, regardless of the actual day of the convention on which they arrive. Minors (aged 13-17) attending Furry Weekend Atlanta must either have a parent or legal guardian accompanying them at all times or a signed and notarized parental permission form on file with Furry Weekend Atlanta. Minors will have a specific wristband clearly identifying them as a minor.

Minors under 13 years of age must have a chaperone present and with them, at all times while they are in convention space.

Any attempt to forge or falsify documentation relating to age or identity will result in immediate removal from the convention and will be turned over to law enforcement.  This includes a minor wearing, possessing, or presenting any wristband other than the minor-specific wristband they were issued at registration. For additional information please see our Minor Policy.

We ask that all attendees follow common-sense rules for behavior and interactions with others. Show some southern hospitality while you’re here - be kind, respectful, and responsible. We are here to create memories with our friends and community.

• Respect for Hotel Policies: Throwing objects in the hotel's public areas is strictly prohibited, as it violates hotel policy and will result in immediate removal by hotel security. Many of our hotels feature open atrium floor plans, which makes this rule especially important. To protect your membership and ensure everyone's safety, avoid holding loose objects near the rails in these areas.

Please do not enter areas you are not permitted to access. This includes crossing barriers set up by the convention (such as curtains or ropes) and areas of the hotel where guests are not usually permitted (commonly referred to as staff/employee-only areas).

Sleeping is not permitted outside of hotel guest rooms. Sleeping in hotel lobbies, ballrooms, hallways, meeting rooms, or parked cars is a violation of hotel policies. Individuals found sleeping in public areas risk removal from the building.

• Physical Contact: Consent is paramount at Furry Weekend Atlanta! Be respectful and ask permission before initiating any physical contact such as hugs, pets, and other types of affection. It does not matter how cute they are, you still need to ask! Please do not grab fursuits or costume tails, noses, or other extremities without permission, as this can cause damage.

The furry community is known for its friendly hugging, scratching, and holding hands, all of which are acceptable with consent. However, please keep in mind that not all people may share the same views of what is acceptable public behavior. Use common sense, and if you feel the need to express deep physical affection, we ask that you kindly retire to your hotel room. Do not make the staff have to ask you to stop – it’s uncomfortable for us and embarrassing for you.

• Public Decorum: For the comfort and safety of everyone, disruptive behaviors such as fighting, horseplay, reckless behavior, and excessive noise are not permitted. In many cases, these behaviors may also be illegal. Loud and excessive use of explicit language or obscene gestures will be considered harassment and treated as such.
• Disruption: Any behaviors or activities that could create situations of significant disruption, panic, or danger to our guests, staff, or volunteers are strictly prohibited. Not only is it against the law, but it could create a situation where people could be harmed.
• Staff Instructions: Attendees must follow the instructions of Furry Weekend Atlanta staff members, hotel employees, first responders, and security personnel. If you find yourself in conflict with any of the above, please remain respectful and request to speak to the on-duty Person in Charge. Harassment, aggression, threatening or intimidating behavior towards an FWA staff member, hotel employee, first responder, or security officer is not tolerated.  These behaviors will result in the revocation of your membership and potential eviction from your hotel guest room. Serious incidents will be referred to on-site law enforcement.
• Misrepresentation: Impersonating a representative or staff member of Furry Weekend Atlanta is grounds for immediate expulsion and barred from attending future conventions.
• Guest Interactions: As a guest of the hotel, a reminder that others not associated with the convention will be present. We ask that you treat them with respect and demonstrate what an amazing community we are. If other guests are not showing you the same type of respect, please notify us immediately.
• Convention Property: The volunteers of FWA spend a lot of time throughout the year creating props, sets, engagement pieces, and specialty equipment. Treat them with respect so that all can enjoy them. Any tampering or destruction of any FWA property may result in your membership being revoked and incur legal ramifications.
• Outside Behavior: Our safety team is not responsible for solving interpersonal problems and cannot apply these policies to any behavior or incidents that occur before, after, or outside of our events. This includes online behavior.  Any behavior or incidents that occur before, after, or outside of our events fall within the sole jurisdiction of law enforcement.  The exceptions to this include any behavior or incident that threatens the overall safety of the event itself and/or situations where a court has issued a restraining order, protective order, no-contact order, or similar.  In these situations, please submit the details via our help center for our safety department to review.

Harassment, defined as unwelcome and offensive conduct, will not be tolerated.  During Furry Weekend Atlanta events, harassment of any kind, whether physical, sexual, written or verbal, is not allowed and is strictly enforced.

• We have a zero-tolerance policy for racism, discrimination, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, hate speech, or bias-based action against anyone or any group.
• No Means No: Respect requests to be left alone. Fursuits, costumes, and cosplay do not constitute any level of consent for any form of physical interaction or unwanted commentary.
• Consent: Fursuits, costumes, and cosplay are not consent. You do not have the right to touch, comment on, or harass someone (“cat calling”) because of what they are wearing.
• False Reports: False reports or accusations will be treated as a form of harassment. False reporting of a crime is illegal.  Any incidents involving the false reporting of a crime will be referred to law enforcement.

Violation of any harassment guidelines may result in your membership being revoked and the matter being referred to local law enforcement.

For the comfort, safety, and enjoyment of all attendees, FWA requires that all attire be suitable for a general audience and adhere to the following guidelines:

General Attire Requirements:

• Minimum Clothing: Shirts, pants (or skirts/shorts), and shoes must be worn at all times in public areas of the hotel, event, and all convention spaces.
• Undergarments: Any clothing typically considered undergarments—such as underwear, bras, jockstraps, or diapers—must remain fully covered by outer clothing while in public or convention spaces. This is for your safety and the safety of everyone else. The state of Georgia has public nudity laws that require you to wear clothing that sufficiently covers your intimate areas while in public.
• Leashes, Collars, and Harnesses: These items are permitted when worn as part of a costume, provided they are not used inappropriately. Leashes must not be attached to, held or carried by another person or left to drag on the floor as this poses a serious safety hazard to you and other attendees.
• PG-13 Rating: When in general convention spaces, all clothing, cosplay, fursuits, etc. must adhere to a PG-13 rating. Intimate areas of Adult-themed attire must be covered when not inside an authorized, private area of an “after dark” event. Adult-themed attire includes, but is not limited to; tight-fitting articles such as latex, spandex or any other attire that tightly conforms to the body, sexually suggestive articles of clothing, and any clothing that accentuates intimate areas of the body.
• Public Decency: Clothing or costumes that are excessively revealing, such as attire that fails to cover the chest, buttocks, or genitals, are considered inappropriate and will not be allowed. For visual reference, if it wouldn’t be acceptable at a public pool, it’s likely not acceptable here.
• Legal Ramifications: Georgia Code § 16-6-8 prohibits “A lewd appearance in a state of partial or complete nudity” in a public place. For the purposes of this policy, the only areas not considered “public places” are those specifically authorized for After Dark (AD) events.
• Overall Expectations: Use common sense. If your attire would draw unwanted attention, cause discomfort, or violate public decency laws, choose a more appropriate option. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in warnings, revocation of membership, or expulsion from the event.

Adult-Themed “After-Dark” Attire:

FWA acknowledges that some panels and private events are designated for an 18+ audience. However, in any shared public spaces—including hallways, elevators, sky bridges, and lobbies—attire must remain PG-13 at all times.

• Clothing: We ask our attendees who choose to wear any clothing, gear, or wardrobe geared for adult use to remain covered while in public spaces. Use common sense here, if you wouldn’t wear it to a public park, do not risk it.
• Prohibited Items: Clothing or accessories that accentuate or focus attention on the genitals (e.g., groin-enhancing outfits or straps) are prohibited.
• Event Specific Requirements: Specific ‘After Dark’ events will provide additional guidelines relative to their requirements.

For specific dress code policies related to FWA’s Moonlight Festival, please reference our event-specific guidelines here.

General Costume and Cosplay Attire:

Clothing, costumes, and props should be in good taste and FWA reserves the right to make a final determination on the suitability of any clothing, costume, or prop in convention space. This policy may be modified at any time in the interest of attendee safety.

• Size and Safety: Costumes should not obstruct hallways or create a tripping hazard.
• Mobility: No costume or prop may hinder mobility in such a way as to make evacuation of the building difficult for the wearer or those around them.
• Emotionally or Socially Charged: Costumes that are based on subject matter that is emotionally charged, socially controversial or could reasonably be expected to lead to feelings of discomfort or threat are not allowed.

Military, Law Enforcement, First Responder, and Public Official Inspired Attire:

To prevent confusion or undue alarm, costumes of a military, law enforcement, first responder, or public official inspiration must strictly adhere to the following guidelines:

• Actual Uniforms: Attendees are prohibited from wearing any actual or realistic uniforms, badges or insignia depicting them as a member of the military, a law enforcement officer, a first responder or any other public official. This includes both current and retired uniforms, badges and insignias.  Actively serving in one of these professions does not authorize you to wear your uniform, badge or insignia during the event as you will not be serving in that official capacity.
• Costume Identification: All costumes covered by this section should be clearly and immediately identifiable as fantasy in nature at a distance. Consider using obvious visual cues such as bright colors, fictional emblems, or exaggerated features to make the distinction clear (front and back).
• Prohibited Realistic Replicas: Hyper-realistic uniforms or attire that could be mistaken for genuine military, law enforcement, first responders or other public officials are not permitted. This includes authentic tactical gear, police badges, or insignias that could be mistaken at a distance for authentic uniforms.
• Behavior and Conduct: Attendees wearing costumes covered under this section must not conduct themselves in a manner that could cause them to be confused with actual, on-duty military members, law enforcement officers, first responders or other public officials. Brandishing prop weapons, identifying one’s self as a public official or behaving in any manner that could lead to your being confused for such an official is strictly prohibited.  These inappropriate behaviors will result in the immediate revocation of your membership and will be referred to on-site law enforcement.  Under Georgia Code § 16-10-23, it's illegal to impersonate a public officer or employee with the intent to mislead. The penalty for conviction is a fine of up to $1,000 or a prison term of one to five years, or both.
• Approvals: FWA retains the sole authority to decide whether a costume or portions of a costume are permitted under this policy.
• Violations: Anyone within convention spaces dressed in cosplay that violates this or any other cosplay policy will be required to either (1) alter the cosplay in such a way as to bring it into compliance with the policy or (2) return to their guest room and change clothing.  Returning to convention spaces in non-compliant cosplay after having received a warning or request to change may result in the revocation of your membership, eviction from your hotel guest room and could result in referral to on-site law enforcement.

To ensure the safety of all attendees and staff, FWA enforces a strict ban on weapons throughout the convention and all event spaces. If it looks like a weapon or could easily be mistaken for one, it is prohibited. Functional weapons are absolutely not allowed.  As we are a private event, held on private property, leased for the purpose of hosting our event, the possession of a concealed weapons permit, weapons carry license or similar does not override this policy.

If you’re unsure whether your prop is appropriate, please contact the Safety team through our help center. If you have any questions during the event, feel free to speak with a member of the Safety staff.

Functioning Weapons:

• Absolutely no real or functioning weapons are allowed in convention spaces. This includes but is not limited to real firearms, bladed weapons, chemical agents such as pepper spray or mace, tasers, stun guns, impact weapons such as batons, slingshots, bows / crossbows, or any other object designed to cause or easily capable of causing harm.  FWA retains the sole authority to decide whether an object is or is not allowed under this policy.
• Restraint Devices: The possession of actual, functioning restraint devices such as handcuffs, leg irons, flex cuffs, or similar is prohibited in convention spaces. Obvious fantasy prop restraints that are plastic, brightly colored, and easily escapable are acceptable.

Prop Weapons:

• Prop weapons are allowed only if they are clearly identifiable, at a distance, at first glance as props or fantasy devices. Use bright colors, lights, or other elements to make your prop stand out as non-threatening. The purpose of allowing prop weapons is to complement a costume in keeping with the theme. Prop fantasy guns are allowed if they do not resemble a real weapon in any way. The presence of an orange tip alone does not satisfy this requirement. Nerf guns are a good example of acceptable props.
• Prop weapons must never be operational, meaning no capability to fire any type of projectile, including Nerf darts, foam balls, or similar items.
• Props that use “caps” or percussion charges (e.g., cap guns) must be rendered incapable of firing.
• Squirt guns must be visibly modified to prevent the storage or spraying of liquid (e.g., with a large hole in tank or disabled mechanisms) and must not contain any liquid.
• Airsoft, paintball, and BB guns are strictly prohibited, even if deactivated.
• Any real, antique firearm, flare gun, starter pistol, 3d printed, or movie realistic prop that has been modified not to fire or was designed never to fire, is also prohibited.

Additional Restrictions:

• No explosives, chemicals, or devices that can produce excessive noise, smoke, or light, including fireworks or flash paper.
• Ropes, chains, leashes or other prop restraints must be secured and should not pose an entanglement risk. No rope, chain, leash or other prop restraint may be carried by or attached to anyone other than the wearer as this poses both choking and trip hazards in crowded spaces.
• Oversized props that create a mobility hazard (e.g., too large for doorways or elevators) or heavy props over 30 lbs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be prohibited.

Behavior:

• Props must be under your control at all times. They should not be swung, thrown, fired, or used in a manner that could cause harm.
• Do not point or brandish your prop at anyone in a threatening manner. This could lead to it being inadvertently confused for an actual weapon which is extremely dangerous in crowded event spaces.
• Props should not cause a disturbance or create discomfort for other attendees. If we receive complaints about a specific prop or your behavior with your props, you may be asked to take them back to your guest room and not bring them back to the convention floor.  Returning to convention spaces after being asked to leave a specific prop in your room may result in the revocation of your membership and removal from the convention space.

Approval and Peace Tie Process

All prop weapons must be checked and approved at a designated Prop Check Station located at our Ambassador Desks before entering convention areas. Once approved, props will be marked with an event-specific "Peace Tie" or identifying tag, which must remain visible at all times.

The unique identifier on the peace tie attached to your prop (s) will be documented and associated with the unique identifier on your attendee wristband. Once peace tied, the prop weapon is authorized for use in cosplay only by the registered attendee to whom the prop is associated.  You may not lend a peace-tied prop to another attendee.  No prop weapons will be peace-tied or permitted in convention spaces until you have received your registration wristband.

Attendees should be prepared to show this tag upon the request of security or FWA staff at any time during the event. Covering, removing, hiding, duplicating, or giving your issued peace tie to another person is prohibited, and may result in the revocation of the membership of all involved parties and removal from the convention space.

The safety, health and well-being of our guests is paramount to FWA.  To support that, we have various health, wellness and harm reduction resources on-site during the event.  Please check out our Health & Wellness page here for more information.

The possession or use of alcohol is prohibited in all public areas of the convention (excluding bars, restaurants, or temporary cash bar areas). The legal age to buy and consume alcoholic beverages in Georgia is 21 years of age. Anyone who knowingly provides alcoholic beverages to a person under the age of 21 will have their membership revoked and may be turned over to law enforcement.

To ensure a safe, healthy and enjoyable experience for all attendees, FWA prohibits the use or distribution of illegal/illicit substances during our events. Anyone found to be involved in the sale, possession, or distribution of illegal/illicit substances will face revocation of their membership, exclusion from future events, and potential referral to law enforcement.

Audio Recording, Video Recording, and Photography:

• Video and audio recording and photography for personal archival use are permitted and encouraged. Absolutely no commercial or media usage of any video, audio, or photographic recordings collected at Furry Weekend Atlanta, by any source or obtained through any third party, is allowed unless permitted under the Furry Weekend Atlanta Media Activities policy outlined below.
• Always be sure to ask permission and act kindly towards others when taking photographs or recording. You must refrain from recording or photographing any person who clearly expresses that he or she does not want to be recorded or photographed, and you may not distribute recordings or photographs that contain audio or video of said person(s).

Undercover Devices:

• Undercover or “hidden” microphones or cameras utilized with the intention of recording are prohibited for the safety and privacy of our attendees. Please respect the privacy of others and obtain consent before recording.

Drones, Flying Devices, and Selfie Sticks:

• For the safety of everyone, drones, flying devices, selfie sticks, and other large extension tools with or without cameras, are not permitted to be used in convention space. This includes non-powered devices such as balloons, wires, and poles.

Live Streaming and Video Blogging:

• Live streaming for personal or commercial use is not allowed. This includes the use of live streaming apps or platforms on any electronic device (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.).
• Video blogging, sometimes referred to as vlogs, of snippets or your entire experience at Furry Weekend Atlanta for personal use is allowed. Some of the activities associated with vlogging can be very disruptive to other attendees. If you are using multiple devices and/or people to record audio, video, and photographs, you have crossed into territory that falls under our Press and Media Activities Policies.  Our safety staff shall have the final say in deciding what does and does not violate our Press and Media Activities Policies.  Violation of this policy may result in immediate revocation of your membership and expulsion from the convention spaces.

Press and Media Activities:

• Any attendee wishing to use media captured at Furry Weekend Atlanta (either audio or video) for any purpose other than private use must wholly comply with Furry Weekend Atlanta’s Media Access Policy and must have a Press Membership. Attendees bearing a membership not specifically designated as a ‘Press Membership’ agree not to act as agents of any media organization in any way, or engage in activities associated with media organizations such as interviewing other attendees while attending Furry Weekend Atlanta.

It shall be understood that Furry Weekend Atlanta, Inc. retains all rights to the use of the Furry Weekend Atlanta name and logo, unless such use is specifically disclaimed or permitted by contract.

While we all love animals, for the safety and comfort of all attendees, pets are not permitted in the convention area. Exceptions are made for working service animals or animals approved as part of specific presentations. Service animals must remain under control and behave appropriately at all times. Please respect these guidelines to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Any sales of merchandise, marketing of a business or other commercial solicitation outside of the areas approved for such activities by Furry Weekend Atlanta, are a violation of state law and venue policy. Anyone caught doing so without the express permission of FWA is subject to having their membership revoked and may be evicted by the hosting venue.

We take the security of your personal information very seriously and will aggressively pursue all available criminal penalties and civil relief for any violation or attempted violation of Georgia’s Computer Trespass, Computer Invasion of Privacy, Computer Theft & Computer Forgery laws.

These laws cover, but are not limited to, any FWA computer system, website, application, network (wired or wireless), communications platforms such as  our two-way radio network, wristband scanner podiums, point of sale systems, camera systems, audio/visual systems, etc.

Under Georgia Code § 16-9-93, any person who uses or accesses one of the aforementioned systems or any computer or computer network with knowledge that such use is without authority and with the intention of:

• Obstructing, interrupting or interfering with the use of any computer program or data
• Altering, damaging, or in any way causing the malfunction of a computer, computer network, or computer program, regardless of how long the alteration, damage, or malfunction persists
• Examines personal data relating to any other person with knowledge that such examination is without authority
• Creating, altering, or deleting any data contained in any computer or computer network

Is guilty of a felony.

This includes the use of devices such as the “flipper zero” and other such devices with any of the intentions mentioned above.  Attempts at “pentesting” or other purported “white hat” activities will be prosecuted with the assumption of malicious intent.

Additionally, under 47 U.S. Code § 333, no person shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communications of any station licensed or authorized by or under that chapter or operated by the United States Government.

These are serious crimes with serious consequences.  Just don’t do it.