Aigat Your Back: It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s ….. Definitely Not Consent

SUSANNA AIGA
Opinion Editor

Sexist attitudes are especially prevalent in the world of fantasy, appearing to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest outlet to degrade women. Countless video games, movies and television shows hyper-sexualize and under-characterize female characters, portraying women with a whole lot of bust and a disproportionate amount of personality. Unfortunately, these attitudes toward women seem to have concentrated at Comic-Con as well.

Multiple female cosplayers claim to have been subject to sexual harassment and assault at these venues, including being groped, followed and/or photographed against their will from attendees, exhibitioners and even security.

Although the Comic-Con International: San Diego 2014 code of conduct reads, “Harassing or offensive behavior will not be tolerated. Comic-Con reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership and badge of any attendee not in compliance with this policy,” according to many cosplayers’ testimonies, staff members allegedly dismissed such behavior and many of these perverts have not been dealt with according to the code of conduct’s standards. In fact, some people claim that these women are “asking for it” because of the suggestive nature of some of their costumes.There is never an excuse to violate someone, and it is a shame that such despicable behavior is being justified.

Thankfully, Geeks for CONsent is working toward greater awareness for the “creeping at a con” issue in the form of a petition for the adoption of a formal anti-harassment policy at Comic-Con. Perhaps one day Superman’s motto of “Truth, Justice and the American Way” will apply to women as well.