Women in Geek CulturePopCon 2014

Indianapolis, IN

Panel Contributors

Leah Barr Ashley Holmes Natalie Phillips

Moderator: Harmony Glenn

The Fake Geek Girl

Fake geek girls - women who show up at geek events, possibly while

hot, with not enough geek cred for you.

Fake Geek Girl Memes

Gatekeeping

Thank you to TheMarySue.com and author Greg Rucka.

Rape Culture and Pop Culture Collide

Women’s online/gaming/writing/con voices

Threats of rape and violence Lewis’ Law “You’re a FEMINIST!” The threat is real, not just online We question the people harassed, not

the harasser

Safe Space

A Safe Space is a place where anyone can relax and be able to fully express, without fear

of being made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or unsafe on account of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender

identity or expression, cultural background, religious affiliation, age, or physical or mental

ability.

A place where the rules guard each person’s self-respect and dignity and strongly

encourage everyone to respect others.

Trigger Warning

Trigger Warning - Used to alert people when an internet post, book, article, picture, video, audio clip, or some other media could potentially cause extremely negative reactions (such as post-traumatic flashbacks or self-harm) due to its content. Sometimes abbreviated as "TW."

Micro-Aggression

An everyday slight, putdown, indignity, or invalidation unintentionally directed toward a marginalized group.

Solutions!How to Create Safe Space

Language Safe Space Policies Rules Consequences

How to Create Safe Space

How to Create Safe SpaceThings we must see on your board:

1. Clear rules against discrimination. [Respect rules do not fall under this unless expanded.]

2. Clear rules about putting trigger warnings before any triggering material - particularly common ones + those that members request.

3. Clear rules about copyright theft, and no theft visible to our eyes.

How to Create Safe Space

4. Gender-neutral options where gender is required to be defined for a character.

5. Accessibility in mind in the site's design: font readable, no oscillating or rapidly flashing imagery, either colour-blind friendly skins or multiple skin options, nothing too blurry.

6. Evidence of attempting to avoid harmful fantasy tropes.

7. No rules restricting sexual orientation to heterosexuality only, no presumptions made in the rules of the board for the sexuality of canonical characters.

How to Create Safe Space

Things we'd really like to see on your board:

1. No restrictive PB rules, such as 'models only'. Additionally, a diverse cast of canons/PBs if applicable.

2. A diverse range of sexual orientations present on the board.

3. Evidence of proof-reading, and no chat speak.

The Fraught World of Cosplaying While Not Thin, White, And/Or Male

Harassment And Consent Our culture is a powerful culture. But you surely

remember what comes with great power.› #1 rule: The absence of a no does not mean yes!› Always ask before a photograph, touch, dancing

with someone at the afterparty, etc. And if the answer is no, take that answer. And yes, s/he knows if you’re sneaking a photo or a

leer, or aiming the camera in a pervy angle. Just don’t.

Convention harassment is not limited to female attendees. We aim to put an end to ALL unwanted contact. (cosplayisnotconsent.tumblr.com

› He/she/zie/they is NEVER “asking for it” by virtue of clothing or costume choice.

Resources:› www.facebook.com/

CosplayIsNotConsent› http://whatever.scalzi.com/

2013/07/02/my-new-convention-harassment-policy/

› http://whatever.scalzi.com/2013/06/28/reporting-harassment-at-a-convention-a-first-person-how-to/

› www.cahp.girl-wonder.org (The Con Anti Harassment Project)

And now...• How to not be a jerk to cosplayers of a different

weight, race, or gender identity!• The cosplay world has a weight problem. A big one. • Don’t fat-shame. You’re not only allowed to be a fan

if you’re thin. These events don’t have a weight restriction. (http://fiercefatties.com/2012/03/29/the-fear-of-fat-women-who-cosplay/)

• If you laugh at the “too fat to cosplay” photos on cosplaytrainwrecks.com, you’re A Bad Person. Period.

• When you compliment a well-constructed costume, everyone has a good time.

• Cosplay While Black, Latino, Indigenous, or Asian• Don’t default to white.• Because everyone deserves a superhero they can

relate to.

› If you think she can’t have a black Sailor Moon, a hijabi Elsa cosplay, or just about anything else, you’re A Bad Person.

› Saying the costume isn’t “realistic” is a jerk move. We’re celebrating Fictional! Characters! “Of course, the half the beauty of white privilege

in fandom is never seeing or thinking of yourself rendered as unrealistic in a space that’s supposed to be unrealistic and fantastical to begin with.” (http://www.racialicious.com/2012/06/07/race-fandom-when-defaulting-to-white-isnt-an-option)

Don’t do blackface. JUST DON’T. Resources:

http://cosplayingwhileblack.tumblr.com/ http://geekalitarian.wordpress.com/

2012/06/21/cosplay-race-and-fat-shaming

• We can crossplay if we want to, we can leave your (cisgender) friends behind

• Don’t misgender. If you must ask “what’s your pronoun?” or “how do you identify?” That’s OK!

• HOWEVER: Asking “What are you?” is NEVER OK.• If you’ve never encountered a trans person yet, you

eventually will. Do your research. You, too, can avoid awkwardness and be a decent human being!

Resources:http://tranifesto.com/transgender-faqs-and-info/ten-things-not-to-say-to-a-trans-person/http://cosplayingwhiletrans.tumblr.com/

Now let’s discuss: Share your questions, comments, experiences, and how we can be a better community. We’re all in this together!

Contact Info!

Leah BarrBlog: http://circlecitystyle.blogspot.comTwitter: @circlecitystyleFacebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Rarity-D20-Girl

Ashley HolmesDirectory Website: http://r3town.comTwitter: @XenologerFacebook: AProtagonist

Contact Info!

Natalie PhillipsTwitter: @naptownnat

Indy FeministsTwitter: @indyfeministsFacebook: www.facebook.com/indyfemsEmail: indyfeminists@gmail.com