On Finding A Safe Place

[f4f3]

I chose to share that last post (without cut-tags, even) because I happen to think it deals with something which is very important to me, personally. Yes, sexual harassment at cons is important to a white, middle aged man, who will never suffer from it.

Partly, it's the "no man is an island" thing - that sort of behaviour does affect me, because it changes (it should change, dammit) behaviour towards every man, not just abusers.

Mostly, though, it's because when I was 17, and geeky before the party, and totally sexually inexperienced, I found a safe place to go. That place was called Albacon, and Hitchercon, and Easter Con, and Scone and lots of other things. But I felt safe against physical violence, and I felt safe to express myself in a way that would have exposed me to physical violence elsewhere (mostly spouting Vogon poetry and dressing up as Soylent Green. The movie, not the product).

The thought that that safe place isn't available to all of us makes me sad, and angry, and whatever small thing I can do about it I will. 

Comments

[mhaithaca.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you shared it. As a man who is probably perceived as creepy some of the time whether I like it or not, by virtue of my age if nothing else, I am appalled at some of the behavior I do see and hear about second- or third-hand. It really is out there, and it's pervasive because not enough has been done about it, historically. I'm glad more people are talking about it, and doing something about it. If there's a chance we can make this community better and safer for everyone, this is the path.

[andrewducker]

Yup. I want to go to a con that's friendly, accepting, and relaxed, and one where some people are treated as less than entirely human is not going to provide that.