Some people balk at the idea of things that deal specifically with gender in the sci-fi/fantasy community; who are tired of “Women In [insert male-dominated genre/art form here]” panels at conventions, because wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t need those? As if those gender-specific panels or events were themselves the cause of there not being as many female creators or women involved in fandom.
Thing is, they’re not. As much as women have progressed in the comics industry, or sci-fi/fantasy entertainment industry, or in the gaming industry; as vocal as female fans have become in asserting themselves in the sci-fi/fantasy/gaming/comics communities, there’s still a huge disparity between male and female representation at established cons.
This is one of the many reasons why I’m excited for the first annual Geek Girl Con, a convention “dedicated to promoting awareness of and celebrating the contribution and involvement of women in all aspects of science-fiction, comics, gaming, and related Geek Culture,” which is being held October 8th and 9th, 2011 at the Seattle Center’s Northewest Rooms in Seattle, WA.
Geek Girl Con has been generating buzz on Twitter for quite some time (you can follow them here: @GeekGirlCon), seeking volunteers, getting feedback, and most importantly, raising the necessary funds to make this event to happen! I’ve been following their efforts very closely, because in addition to putting a much-needed focus on women creators and fans, and in addition to providing a place where the geekgirl comes first, it just seems like it’s going to be a fun weekend! The fact that one of the first things they did to raise awareness of the con was to have a Hero of Canton sing-a-long sold me right away:
Bonnie Burton, Trina Robbins, Greg Rucka, and Jen Van Meter have all already signed on as guests, and there are more fun music, TV, film, and game-related events being planned leading up to the big weekend in October! Passes to the con are already on sale, and these early sales will help Geek Girl Con build a successful event! Keep up with Geek Girl Con at their website, on Twitter, or on Facebook; get involved as a volunteer, or by suggesting a panel or event; let the Geek Girl Con team know exactly the kinds of panels you’d like to see and guests you’d love to meet; and get in on the ground floor of an event that has the potential to be wonderful and important to geek girls everywhere!
I hope to see you at the con!
Teresa Jusino is two years older than Buffy Summers. Her “feminist brown person” take on pop culture has been featured on websites like ChinaShopMag.com, PinkRaygun.com, Newsarama, and PopMatters.com. Her fiction has appeared in the sci-fi literary magazine, Crossed Genres; she is the editor of Beginning of Line, the Caprica fan fiction site; and her essay “Why Joss is More Important Than His ‘Verse” is included in the upcoming book Whedonistas: A Celebration of the Worlds of Joss Whedon By the Women Who Love Them, coming in March 2011! Get Twitterpated with Teresa, or visit her at The Teresa Jusino Experience.
