From Left to Right: Ariel Schudson, Melissa Molina, Abby Darkstar, Molly McIsaac, and Keith Zen

You have probably heard some of the recent debate about “fake geek girls” and “cosplay does not equal consent”. If you have managed to bypass these often heated arguments (mainly nasty online comment wars), the main idea is that women’s geek cred is often brought into question by male geeks and sexy cosplay outfits do not permit sexual harassment. I have read many of the articles about each of these topics and wanted to see what this panel had to say about the subjects.

Early on, panelist Melissa Molina, explained the “fake” geek girl situation as, “We have always been bullied and now we are bullying each other.” The panelists were unanimous in thinking the concept of the fake geek girl is outrageous and pointed out there are no attacks on fake geek guys. Each woman on the panel mentioned how female geeks are often interrogated on their geek cred by male geeks. They went on to discuss the question of ‘how is liking one thing fake?’ It is as if geek girls have to know everything about EVERYTHING to qualify as a geek, but it is ok to like just one geek thing! However, “Anything can qualify anyone as a geek”, explained panelist Abby Darkstar. Why are geek guys so mean towards geek girls? Panelist Molly McIsaac summed it up in a humorous way by saying, “The boys are mad that the pretty girls are invading their clubhouse.” Keith Zen, the one man on the panel, added that being a geek was, “something that used to be theirs and they don’t want to share.” Darkstar pointed out why this happens by acknowledging, “You are insecure and want to put someone else down.”

Example of a geek girl being called out but totally owning her cosplay albeit on the aggressive side

Speaking of being pretty, there is a stereotype that geeky girls are not attractive. Molina asked, “Do you want us to look haggard all the time?” It was mentioned how as a geek girl you somehow cannot be pretty too; as if you could not be smart AND attractive. Why can’t women like super hero comics and like to be girly too?

Women not only want to be able to be girly, they want to be able to be sexy too without fear of harassment. Yes, you can wear that skimpy costume but be aware, be responsible and be ready to take the steps to do something about it suggested Darkstar (who was cosplaying fem Indiana Jones). One simple step is just talking to other geek girls about it. Maybe someone will be encouraged by your story or learn something from it. Now, if someone is harassing you, male or female, do not be abusive back. You need to be mature and professional. Panelist Ariel Schudson framed it well by saying, “It’s a power thing. Someone has to have power over you.” Wear the costume you want to wear but be aware that you are pretty much the “personification of a sexual fantasy” (McIsaac).

On the other hand, if you see someone wearing a sexy costume, ask them if you can take a picture. Do not be a creeper and sneak a picture of their butt or whatever and think they will not notice. A couple of the panelists mentioned how they would much rather someone ask to take a picture of their backside and they would gladly pose instead of hearing the creepy whispers behind them.

Zen was all for men and women wearing the costume they want but he pointed out that you need to know people are going to stare. There is nothing wrong with staring and taking pictures (just no creeper pictures), but that is it! Just because a guy or girl is wearing something revealing does NOT give anyone the liberty to touch them or otherwise harass them.

What can be done about this sexual harassment? The main thing is conventions MUST have a harassment policy that details what harassment is and enforce the consequences of breaking those policies. Schudson mentioned the ADA Initiative and explained how they “Wrote and encouraged adoption of policies preventing harassment of women, now used by hundreds of conferences and organizations in open tech/culture as well as science fiction, fan, gaming, and skeptic/atheist conventions.” So this is not something that just happens at geek/nerd conventions.

We all need to be good role models and proponents for change; part of that is being “more open to everything” (Schudon). Do not claim geek culture as your own and exclude others. You should be happy you have even more people with whom to share your love of geek culture. In the end, we are all fans.