Reality Bytes - Cosplay is NOT Consent

cosplay

Literally "Costume Play." Dressing up and pretending to be a fictional character (usually a sci-fi, comic book, or anime character).

(usage) There are anime cosplay conventions around the world.

“Costumes are not consent. It’s a phrase you may be hearing a lot lately, and one we need to keep talking about. In the past few weeks, the internet has exploded with women speaking up about the treatment we receive at conventions and online. This isn’t a new problem that has suddenly presented itself. The issues have always been there. What is happening now is we finally feel we are allowed to speak up, that doing so will not result in us being ostracized from our community – because we are now acting as a community, a support structure, to create a safe environment for all costumers and convention goers.”

(Source: www.geeksaresexy.net 2013/04/04)

 

Yes, we are talking about Comic con and the like, and the amount of harassment dished out to women ( and sometimes men) who enjoy dressing up as their favourite character and joining other like minded fans at conventions. Somehow, dressing as your favourite comic book character has been misconstrued as a license for fans to paw and grope these women while treating them like sexual objects.

Today we will be talking to Sam Maggs weekend editor of the online publication themarysue.com about the problems cosplayers face at these conventions, and how we can raise awareness.

Phone lines will be closed for this show, but you are free to call in and listen on (646)716-6583