The Girl Behind the Machine

Lately I have noticed an increased lack of discretion toward cosplayers, both online and at conventions. I am not the only cosplayer who has recognized and taken note of this. Over the past few months my list of blocked people here and on DA has grown exponentially, almost entirely due to lewd and unsavory commentary in my costume gallery. At conventions I no longer feel comfortable wandering around alone in costume and have had to go out of my way to avoid select photographers. Guys, bottom line: Just because a cosplayer is dressed as one of your favourite characters, posed semi-suggestively, or showing a bit of skin does NOT make it alright to pass commentary on her bust size or let it slip that you’d like to “have your way” (to put it politely) with her. Similarly, it is NOT alright to request provocative shots, ask that she exchange saliva with a fellow female cosplayer because OMG YOU TTLY SHIP THEIR CHARACTERS, or accost them physically with a glomp, poke, grope, or other form of unwonted affection. Now, certainly there are a few cosplayers (we call them “attention whores”) who relish this sort of attention, but trust me when I say that the average costumer would far rather you compliment her workmanship than poo-poo all over her gallery with stinky little gems like this: “OMG ur sooooooooooo sexyyyyyyyyyy ifd totaly bang u.” Bear in mind that costumers are artisans who wear their art, rather than display it in a gallery setting; we pose and dress as befits the character, not as a reflection of who we are as individuals. Please be respectful and kind in your interactions and NEVER make assumptions. (That’s just good advice in general, though.)

I doubt that that this little public service announcement will do much to change the current trend of objectification in the cosplay world, but perhaps we cosplayers can collectively stamp out at least a few of the misconceptions surrounding our hobby. Thanks for reading!”