Say “Comic Con” and most people already have an image in their head: A bunch of fat, old, white guys in costumes clearly meant for someone several sizes smaller, with not a woman or minority in sight. But this October 5-8 at New York Comic Con, fans of many different backgrounds came together to celebrate their shared geekdom.
Panels exploring diversity ruled the schedule this year. From explorations of hip-hop culture in comic books to discussions on gender identity, not a single kind of person was left unincluded.
Alexis Sanchez, co-founder of LatinXGeeks, was responsible for promoting positive Latinx representation, part of which included organizing a panel entitled “The Invisible Latinx” which covered the struggles of improving Latinx representation in media.
Sanchez told The VOICE, “It was nerve-wracking. I wasn’t really sure if they’d pick up. There had never been an all Latinx panel before.” She continued, “But they did, and it was exciting.”
Sanchez explained that this was her fourth year attending New York Comic Con. Comparing this year to those previously she noted there were “Definitely more diversity panels. But where I think it matters is in panels like ‘X-Men Through History,’ and there was more diversity there…I think this year people are more comfortable. And you see more cosplayers of color, which I love. It’s more in the spotlight.”
Cameron Glover, a writer and activist, moderated a “#BlackComicsMonth” panel. In an interview with The VOICE conducted through online messaging she said “This year I’ve seen more panels, speakers, meet-ups and cosplayers being outspoken about the role that identity and marginalization plays in their lives, and how they feel about nerd culture. That has really been inspiring to see, especially since so much of nerd culture [still] hinges on gate keeping.”
The VOICE also spoke with the Vice President of Geeks OUT, which has a focus on LGBTQ representation in pop culture, Nicole Gitau. Gitau, a New York Comic Con veteran of five years took a slightly different position saying, “In the past 3 or 4 years there has been a shift towards accepting fans of all backgrounds and making safe spaces.”
Gitau emphasized that changes in the political climate did not spur a sudden interest in diversity. Rather, she said, “What we’re seeing this year is the latest in a series of changes. Conventions of this size don’t just change in a year. They were making these changes a long time ago; we’re seeing it pay off now.”
Speaking of the convention organizers she continued, “The organizer’s efforts to bring more diversity to the panels makes me feel like they’re sending a message that people of all those identities are welcome at the event.”
Not all experiences were positive, however. BleedingCool, a news outlet focusing on geek culture, reported that in a Marvel Q & A with comic retailers discussion about Marvel’s diversity push got heated as attendees began to shout slurs such as “homo” and “freaking females.”
Glover mentioned another negative side saying, “I feel like both push back and push for diversity is becoming more out in the open.” She noted that most harassment regarding diversity is done online, and not on the convention floor.
While Sanchez saw progress, she also had some criticisms saying, “A lot of the diversity panels are still relegated to smaller rooms in the back.”
But the consensus was that representation is improving. Glover said, “I think overall, the voices of those saying that change needs to happen is louder.”
The push for diversity is spreading beyond NYC as well. This November 18, Philadelphia will host Nerdtino Expo, which is billed as “The first East Coast Latinx comic book, scifi, fantasy, horror convention.”
