Costumes Are Not Consent
| Synonyms: | Cosplay is not consent, Costumes =/= Consent, Cosplay =/= Consent |
| See also: | Convention, Cosplay, Misogyny in Fandom |
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Costumes Are Not Consent, or Cosplay Is Not Consent, is a catchphrase that has become widespread following online discussions about (mostly female) cosplayers getting sexually harassed at conventions.[1] It serves as a reminder to fans that cosplayers are human and should be treated as such. It also expresses support for fans who are harassed, acknowledging the behavior as inappropriate and giving cosplayers a voice to speak out in opposition to it.
Costumes Are Not Consent started appearing on signs posted at some cons in 2012.[2] New York Comic Con 2014 was the first major con to post the phrase publicly, along with a clearly stated anti-harassment policy, after 2013 witnessed several major incidents, twenty reported instances of sexual harassment[3] ReedPOP shared in 2014, the first year the signs went up, there were 8 reported instances, and that the rate has stayed steady at about 12 reported instances a year despite the significant growth of New York Comic Con.[4] Fans also report feeling safer on the floor as well as feeling respected by the organization.
Cosplay Is Not Consent became a movement within the convention circuit, with many cons posting signage and creating harassment policies, even without previous incidents, and following the lead of larger cons. Andrew Moyes, 2015 director of Fan Expo Canada:
I think it’s a movement within the convention world right now. It’s a heightened environment. People are excited and sometimes boundaries can be blurred,” he said. “It’s helpful just to have a few pieces around the event that … shape expectations and help everyone navigate their experience.[5]
Geeks for CONsent
Geeks for CONsent was an organization created to highlight the problem of sexual harassment at conventions and pressure big conventions into creating clear sexual harassment policies. Geeks for CONsent collected the stories of woman who had been harassed at conventions.[6] In 2014 they began an online petition asking that SDCC create a clear sexual harassment policy and include signage and reporting procedures at their convention, the petition received over 3000 signatures.[7] SDCC responded by saying that they already had a broad code of conduct in place, and they felt specific signage was not needed.[8][9] Geeks for CONsent partnered with Awesome Con in Washington, D.C. to create a harassment policy and train employees to respond to attendees complainants.[10]
Example Con Posters
A 2018 poster for CONvergence, a Minnesota-based sci-fi and fantasy convention that's been held annually since 1999.
A 2018 poster for ICON, an Iowa-based sci-fi convention that's been held annually since 1975.
2012 sign created for SFU Summerfest
2014 poster for Emerald City Comicon
External Links
- The Beginnings of CONsent at 16-bit Sirens April 3, 2013 (archive link)
- Costumes Are Not Consent: Combating Cosplayer Harassment at Geeks Are Sexy
- Cosplay Is Not Consent Facebook page
- Cosplay Is Not Consent website
- Fighting Harassment at NYCC 2014
References
- ^ Tumblr post about cosplayer's experience at Comic Con
- ^ tumblr post showing early sign
- ^ Cosplay Is Not Consent: The People Fighting Sexual Harassment at Comic Con
- ^ How the "Cosplay Is Not Concent" Movement Changed New York City Comic Con
- ^ ‘Cosplay is not consent’ a welcome reminder at Fan Expo
- ^ Women Are Being Sexually Harassed at Comic-Con—but One of Them Is Making It Stop
- ^ Stop sexual harassment at San Diego Comic Con, create a formal anti-harassment policy
- ^ San Diego Comic-Con Responds To Fan Petition Asking For A Formal Harassment Policy
- ^ "Geeks For CONsent" Petition Comic-Con To Just Adopt Anti-Sex Harassment Policies Already
- ^ Comic-Con Women Protest Sexual Harassment