I'm very disheartened to learn that a convention that I've always wanted to work at as a cosplayer, or just plain go to as one is pushing a victim-blaming agenda when it comes to cosplay and consent.
Basically, ladies and gentlemen, we cannot cosplay as our favorite video game characters if that character happens to be "sexual" in any way. That's right, we now have high-school/middle-school-like enforced dress codes at PAX.
I've been sharing this where ever I can since I found out about it! Seriously? Why are we blaming the cosplayers for wanting to be authentic to their favorite video game? This has been the post I've been sharing around:
Very disappointed to learn that PAX has decided to go with a policy of cosplay sort of equalling consent. This victim-blaming and shaming "rule" appears in their guidebook, and was posted by a stranger to me - @ChrisRGun, on twitter, and shared by friend & youtuber @ojungell
Please share this! This is a disgusting policy that basically says victims are "asking for it" and cosplay is part of that policy. Blame the (potential) victim, not the perpetrator! Awesome job, PAX! I've always wanted to go one year, but if this is what you're touting, I'm not going. Ever.
As a professional cosplayer, and never, ever, have I been so insulted by a convention's policy, and most will see many of my cosplays are modest or covered. I've been sexually assaulted and harassed in cosplays that aren't even considered "sexy". I've had my ass grabbed while wearing a jumpsuit, and while wearing a catsuit... I've had comments no matter what I've worn.
Admittedly, the "ass grabbing" incident at a con happened before the whole "Cosplay ≠ Consent" movement took place, but it *still* happens, and no one should have to take it at all, no matter your gender sexually harassment and assault is pretty much cut and dry! Don't defend the abusers by placing "rules" and "restrictions" on potential victims!
We need to let PAX know that victim blaming is not how you "prevent" rapes and assaults. You prevent them by educating potential predators not to touch, and punishing them when they do!
SHARE THIS NOW! THIS IS NOT OKAY!
(I've also posted this exact same post to my Facebook page, so here is a link to that, if it will make it easier for you to share)
I figure that it is extremely appropriate to post this information from PAX's policy/rule book here because so many of us are part of the same community that PAX promotes. I've always wanted to go to PAX, but I am no longer interested in going to a convention where the organizers, the big-wigs, the convention runners no longer have the best interest of their guests and attendees at heart. Basically what they are getting at is that they are trying to escape any responsibility for the safety of their con-goers, and that's just vile. Instead of saying harassment/assault will not be tolerated, they think this is somehow helping to prevent anything from happening? That's not how the world works, PAX.
One of the projects I have been working on for the past couple of years is pretty much on this very subject. I am a sexual assault survivor. I have been assaulted in the past to varying degrees, and that's all I will put forward about that. For a few years now, I've been going to cons with various types of badges: Attendee, Press, Professional, Guest, and even Exhibitor. I spend a lot of time talking to other cosplayers, asking them about their con experiences, while monitoring my own (obviously), and while I'm not ready to conclude whether or not certain badges invite certain behaviors in the same exact cosplays -- yet, I can tell you I have the data based on my experiences, and am still gathering based on others'.
I feel like this is setting a horrible precedent, and sending a message to those who may not fully understand how to treat other human beings as such, that instead of human beings, we have all turned ourselves into objects and what needs to be done is the policing of not just mostly what women would be wearing, which is sexist, but is insulting to the intelligence of their attendees, vendors, and any persons who may decide to frequent your events.
Until this policy is abolished, and PAX has made an apology for making such a revolting "rule" that is obviously sexist and geared mostly toward women NOT triggering men with their bodies, this Suicide Girl is taking a stand against PAX and their cosplay policy.
So PAX -> 🖕🏻
x0x0,
☠️-Sid-☠️
P.S. This was one of the cosplays I was sexually assaulted in by having my ass grabbed at a convention while wearing it:
@missy @rambo I'd appreciate it if this topic were given some attention. We've already been stepping backwards in politics, but in leisure activities too? Yes, we've all seen the cosplayer that someone may consider to have crossed the line, but who is the one who gets to define that line? Even my local comic convention is discussing ways to enforce a dress code where wearing even nude-colored clothing that from far away can be mistaken as bare skin is a no-go and an automatic ejection from the convention.