Had a marvelous and educational time at GeekGirlCon, especially doing the sex/gender panel with Winter Ellis Downs, Janine Southard, Jill Seidenstein, and our esteemed and very effective moderator, Raven Oak. I learned from my fellow panelists, we learned from the audience, and we shared a bunch of laughs. I could have hung out with those folks all day.
The con itself was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and different from any other one I’ve been to. It’s hard to describe how it feels to walk into a convention where at least half the folks are women, and lots of the others are of indeterminate gender, or just don’t care about gender.
It was a thrill to see the “make a science project” tables CONSTANTLY crowded with little girls (and some boys), putting together circuits or other small projects.
It was also nice to see so many men in panels about how gender’s a thing, or how to handle the moments when a show you love kicks you in the teeth (Lookin’ at you, Supernatural!), or how women get excluded from the business and fandom of video games.
Also, THOSE WERE THE PANELS. All the panels provoked thought. Even just reading the program made me think. smile emoticon It was a small, warm, friendly, beautiful, heartening, inspiring, and just plain uplifting event. It’s the evil twin of the Michigan Music Festival, creating a safe space for women by just creating a SAFE SPACE. Want safety? C’mere–take this badge. BOOM–you’re now in a safe space! Oh, you’re trans? What’s that like? Oh, you’re a gay man? Tell me about that! Oh, you’re a straight guy here with your daughter, who’s dressed as Toph from Avatar? You, sir, are doing it right.
I’m sure there was at least one disconsolate dude-bro SOMEWHERE wondering why the costumes were so practical, why there weren’t white guys leading the panels, and why none of the panels were about the cool stuff he’s into. Bra, I have news for you: that’s what it usually feels like to be US. Don’t worry–we’re not going to take Emerald City from you. Well, not soon, anyhow. But now WE have a con of our own. And I bet you actually DID have fun, amirite? I mean, the art booths were badass, and that FIRST Robotics booth? Pretty damn cool! And it was SO chill and laid back compared to ECCC, too!
GeekGirlCon has its title for a very good reason, but if it could have another title (like English royalty) I’d dub it DecentPeopleCon. It felt the way cons are meant to feel: exciting, inspiring, and best of all, like coming home.
To be fair to your previous con attendances, demographic data for the past few years for ECCC has suggested at least 50% female (or female identified, anyway) membership. On the other hand, I’m sure ECCC, despite all the work they’ve put in over the years, isn’t as much as a safe space as GGC.
Very true, on both counts. It was just a really different kind of con. Much more relaxing, and not a media con. Anita Sarkeesian was one of the key guests. 🙂
Not saying I don’t love ECCC to bits, but GGC felt delightfully different.