A Big Slap in the Face for GLBT at the Last Place You Would Expect----- an Anime Con.

[McCamy Taylor]

Long time, no see, DU! This is something that I had to get off my chest. Below is the email I sent to the organizers of AKon, Dallas, the longest running anime con in the US.

I have one concern about this year’s con. My son’s friend is gay. The two of them went to one of the speed dating events. My son was allowed to sign up and meet girls. His friend was told that “female looking for female” was not an option and that the event organizers had decreed that there would be no gay friendly events and that the con was supposed to be for “families.” She was then hustled to a corner of the room to sit with other gays, presumably in some sort of “time out” that would make her see the error of her ways.

I hope that the con volunteers made up that spiel. The gay community has been a strong supporter of anime and manga in the US. The con itself attracts people of all sexual persuasions and genders---including transgendered. The costumes are fun because there are “cat boys” as well as “cat girls.” People cross dress—female Alucards and male Victoria Celis---without fear of being mocked.

One of the big attractions of anime/manga is that it is from another culture and therefore it redefines what is “normal”. While Japanese anime culture is no more perfect that American comic book culture, it does have some things going for it, including nondualism, a healthier and more relaxed attitude to sexuality and acceptance---no, I take that back, celebration of those who are “different”. However, for the people in my group, the celebration came to a rather abrupt and disheartening stop when they were told, in effect “love is fine---as long as it is heterosexual.” And the family friendly comment was a double slap in the face, since it suggested that gays cannot form families. With gay marriage such a timely (and popular) civil rights issue, I would have thought that the con would make more effort to embrace political correctness, even if the organizers have a personal issue with the concept of GLBT. You would not be caught dead having two different cons, one for whites and one for Blacks, would you? So, how do you justify trying to segregate based upon sexual persuasion and gender?

I have attended A-kon almost every year since my son was seven ( I was Aerith, my son was Cloud from FFVII), but unless the organizers do something to disavow the statements of their representatives, I may need to think twice next year.

[redqueen]

1. Let us know their response. This is shocking because all sexualities are well represented

in anime and manga. I don't know how they could think any attendees could possibly be part of that fandom and have any issues with homosexuality, bisexuality, etc.

[Marrah_G]

2. I'm also very surprised at that.

If you happen to hear what the organizers have to say I would love to know if this was policy or a few bigoted employees.

[McCamy Taylor]

3. I am definitely going to do a follow up. I hope A-Kon will respond in a positive way.

Maybe they can include some group discussions on sexuality and gender identity in anime/manga next year. And maybe they can issue a statement before next year along the lines of "We support equality for all." That way, if individual volunteers have an agenda, it will not tarnish the Con's reputation.

[McCamy Taylor]

4. A-Kon replies "A-Kon is indeed a family-friendly event, but to us, everyone who attends is family,

and we strive to be welcoming to them all."

Thanks! I hope the volunteers at A-Kon get the message.