COVID-19, Monkeypox, & General Safety Policies

Please see our up-to-date COVID, MONKEYPOX, & GENERAL SAFETY POLICIES below.

By attending a SoCal Creatures event, you are confirming that you read, understand, and will abide by everything in this document.

Looking for more guidance for your first mosh? Check out our FAQ Page.

Last Update: February 4, 2023

COVID-19/hMPXV SAFETY

Even though we are taking every precaution to make sure that this event is safe for our community, please understand that public gatherings, even fully vaccinated ones, involve a higher risk than virtual encounters. Pet play moshes in particular pose an even higher risk than a typical play party, given the potentially high-contact and household-mixing nature of the open mosh space, where play occurs in groups. Our policies are meant to improve safety. Still, we encourage you to attend at your own risk level.

Find our Covid-19 and hMPXV resources for testing and vaccination HERE.

• REQUIRED: Proof of Initial COVID-19 Vaccination ( >2 weeks after one Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or two Pfizer/Moderna vaccines)

• REQUIRED: Proof of One Covid Booster Shot *OR* a Negative Test (PCR in last 48 hours, rapid/antigen/home test in last 12 hours)

• REQUIRED: N95 or surgical masks worn while indoors, in all rooms. We have spare surgical masks on site.

• VAX PROOF METHODS: You may show a vaccination card (physical or picture) or email. Your legal name must be displayed to match your ticket or ID. This information will be handled discretely and not copied, kept, or shared.

• RECOMMENDED: PCR or rapid/home test even if you are vaccinated with a booster shot.

• RECOMMENDED: Additional COVID-19 booster shots.

• RECOMMENDED: Monkeypox (hMPXV) vaccination if you are eligible.

• RECOMMENDED: Up-to-date flu shots.

• SNACKS: We will have contact-safe snacks and water in our Outdoor Kitchen.

• SWEATING: If sweating excessively in our Open Mosh Area, please stop, clean any droplets, and take a break.

• SANITATION: We provide hand sanitizer, non-latex condoms, nitrile (non-latex) gloves, masks, and antibacterial wipes. You are also encouraged to wash your hands regularly in the bathroom. Our mats, ball pit balls, and toys are also cleaned before each party.

GENERAL SAFETY

• We have a first aid kit on site.

• We have Dungeon Monitors to ensure that positive consent practices are being observed, rules are followed, and that no one is harmed at our event. Please speak to them if you have any problems, as well as before engaging in an edge play scene in the private rooms.

• Our Staff are marked by glowing RED wristbands. You may also approach any of them with questions or concerns.

• Our Emotional Support Animals (staff dedicated to helping newcomers/nervous pet players feel comfortable and meet people) are marked by glowing BLUE wristbands. Go to them if you're feeling nervous!

• Our Open Mosh Area is fully covered with protective mats. Still, we recommend that pets who play on all fours wear protective gear (padded mitts/gloves, knee pads) to prevent injury.

• Please don't wear anything that could get caught, damaged, or hurt someone else. This typically includes anything with sharp spikes, lots of zippers, or loose heavy chains. 1/4in or under is ideal for studs. If you have spikes on your hood, wear with caution or consider taking it off during active play.

  • Watches, belts, and jewelry can get caught - body jewelry can be protected with medical tape.

• Latex, rubber, and even neoprene bodysuits can cause excessive sweating and overheating. Wrestling singlets, spandex, shorts, jockstraps, and sports bras are all good options.

  • At our mosh, you CAN be naked! But be sure to negotiate touch and accidental contact that could occur during active play.

• Make your Handler and/or the mosh staff aware of any medical conditions, injuries, or health concerns that could affect your play. If you take medication, have an inhaler, an EpiPen, or anything else, give it to your Handler or a member of the mosh staff so someone has it for you if it is needed.

• If you or your Handler notice you are bleeding or injured, please stop moshing and notify a Dungeon Monitor or other member of staff. If you need further care, we will call you an ambulance or arrange immediate travel to the nearest hospital.

Accessibility Information

Please see our up-to-date ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION below.

If you have accessibility needs not adequately addressed here, please use the "Contact Us" tab or email us at socalcreatures@gmail.com to let us know! We will do our very best to accommodate you.

Last Update: February 4, 2023

PHYSICAL

• Our typical venue, Threshold LA, is ADA compliant. It has ramps and an ADA accessible bathroom.

• There is one (1) clearly marked Handicapped Parking Space by the front door of the venue. If you would benefit from a handicapped parking space and are concerned that it will be taken, contact us and we will look into reserving an additional space for you.

• Adequate, varied seating options are available - including chairs, couches, and padded floor space.

EMOTIONAL

• We have High Energy, Low Energy, Quiet/Decompression, and Sex-Positive spaces to accommodate different needs and play styles.

• If you are nervous about attending, please come at the beginning of the event! Our Welcome Wagon Orientation will help you get your bearings, and the start of an event is always more relaxed, which will allow you to settle in.

• We have Volunteers ("Emotional Support Animals") whose job it is to help you feel welcome and introduce you to new people. They are marked with BLUE glowing wristbands. Please reach out to them if you're nervous, and if you see them playing on the mosh floor, know they will definitely be receptive to light play!

TEMPERATURE

• Our venue is air-conditioned, well-ventilated, and temperature controlled. You may request that the AC be turned up or down if needed.

• We have box fans that we can bring out if requested.

AUDITORY

• Think "dog park with music," not a bar or club.

• Music (typically queer punk, or themed for special events) plays from speakers in the main room, of low to moderate volume.

• The Open Mosh Area in the large main room tends to be filled with barking, howling, and other human animal sounds. The Outdoor Kitchen will likely include low-to-moderate volume with overlapping chatter.

• The Forest Room includes ambient forest noise (birds chirping, wolves howling, rain, wind, etc) at a low volume. You may request that this be turned off during a scene.

• We have a quiet "chill zone" room where you can seek refuge if you become overwhelmed for any reason. There is no music in this room.

• We have free disposable ear plugs available at the Consent Wristband Station in the main room, should you need them for any reason.

SCENT

• Attendees and staff are asked to arrive low or scent free.

• The Forest Room includes a very light scent from an organic pine essential oil diffuser. This can be turned off upon request.

VISUAL

• We will NOT have any flashing lights. This is an epilepsy-friendly event.

• Our spaces have low-to-moderate fluorescent and colored lighting. Some rooms have additional mood lighting such as Christmas lights and fairy lights.

• **Note for Pawliday Mosh** There will be more Christmas-style lights than usual at this event. Expect Christmas lights to various degrees in all rooms except the Quiet Room. These lights may twinkle slowly or be static - they will not be flashing quickly.

• Our Consent Wristbands are both colored and marked with symbols for our colorblind community members.

OTHER

• Individually-wrapped snacks & water are available in the outdoor kitchen.

• If you have a Personal Aide or ASL Interpreter you would like to attend with you, they are welcome to attend at no charge. Email us at socalcreatures@gmail.com for a special promo code.

• If you would benefit from an ASL Interpreter at an event or class, email us and we will arrange to have one!

Consent & Anti-Discrimination Policies

Please see our CONSENT & ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICIES below.

By attending a SoCal Creatures event, you are confirming that you read, understand, and agree to everything in this document.

Looking for more guidance for your first mosh? Check out our FAQ Page

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

• This is a safe space for individuals of all genders, sexualities, ethnicities, experience levels, play styles, and other intersections of identity. Behavior that stereotypes, discriminates against, or harms community members will not be tolerated

  • This includes racism, non-consensual fetishization, hypersexualization, stereotyping, micro-aggressions, transphobia, homophobia, intentional misgendering, misogyny, ableism, fatphobia, bullying, harassment, blackmail, coercion, intimidation, and defamation.

  • If you witness someone who expresses any of the above, please inform someone on the SoCal Creatures Leadership Team immediately.

• Never assume pronouns or identity if not publicized by the individual - ASK!

• Educate yourself on language, actions, and items that may be appropriative and/or harmful if used by you so you can avoid them.

• Kink is political! It is important to research the political backgrounds and implications of our play in order to adhere to Risk-Aware and Personal Responsibility-Informed kink practices.

• Privilege looks different for everyone. It is our responsibility to do the work to understand our privileges and how they affect the ways we exist in kink spaces in order to contribute to a safer community space.

CONSENT POLICY

• Do not touch people or personal property without their permission.

• Anyone can withdraw consent, make a nonverbal safe sign or use the universal safeword “Red,” at any time. Once consent is withdrawn, the activity must stop immediately. You must agree how to stop anything at any time prior to the scene.

• Consent may be given verbally or nonverbally within the pet play space. Verbal consent looks like an enthusiastic “Yes.” Non-verbal consent looks similar to that of biological animals, and is covered in our pre-event Orientation. If unsure, verbal consent is always best.

• Don’t re-negotiate in the middle of your scene unless it is to reject activities that were previously agreed to. A person who is in headspace may not be able to give informed consent even if they agree or don’t protest in the heat of the moment.

• Regardless of role, we are equals. Negotiate as equals before either person assumes a role.

  • Ask and negotiate before using pet names/titles or engaging in verbal role play. For example, don’t call someone “Mistress” or “slave” or any other role-play word unless you’ve asked for permission.

• Each person must make sure everyone has the mental and emotional capacity to give informed consent.

• Be aware of any pre-existing social power imbalances that may exist between you and the person you are negotiating with (new vs experienced, gender-related, race-related, assertive vs shy, etc) so that you can ensure that these imbalances are not negatively impacting your negotiation.

• If the person you wish to play with has someone whose consent is required before they can engage in kink or sexual activities, ensure that you have their enthusiastic consent for all details of the scene.

• Negotiate the scope of your scene prior to the activities. The bottom must give verbal consent to all types of touch, including but not limited to sexual touch, before the scene begins.

• The top is legally responsible for stopping the activities at any suggestion that the bottom has withdrawn consent. The bottom is ethically responsible for being clear and unequivocal when withdrawing consent.

• Anonymity and discretion is essential within BDSM/kink spaces. Attempts to "dox" or "out" someone will not be tolerated.

• Ask for consent before following or interacting with someone on social media.

• If you experience or witness a consent incident, tell a Dungeon Monitor or clearly marked delegate of the event (with a glowing red wristband) immediately. Please also report if you think someone is not able to consent. Violation of this consent policy may result in expulsion from the event or group. No one is exempt from the rules.

Disclaimer: Every reasonable effort will be made to enforce this policy, but this organization makes no representations or guarantees about its ability to do so, and all participants/attendees retain full, sole responsibility for their safety and the safety of others with whom they interact.