Readercon Update

[dxmachina]

Veronica Schanoes, the woman who was harassed at the con in 2008, has posted a petition over in her LiveJournal calling for the permanent banning of Rene Walling from Readercon and the removal of the Readercon board of directors. I've signed it (waves to Knut, too). If you've a mind to, feel free to head over and add your name.

According to this post by a member of the con program committee:

A Board member has resigned, and another intends to do so. I don't know if they're dissenting voices, or committing sepuku.

Meanwhile, the board has tweeted:

We greatly appreciate the feedback we've received on the board's recent decision. The convention committee is working on a response.

Sure you are.

Comments

[jesseh.livejournal.com]

That whole thing is yikes. I would sign if I had any connection to Readercon! Because seriously.

[dxmachina.livejournal.com]

It's been a long time since I've been this pissed off about something fannish. I mean, when I'm at a con, I'm one step above the con equivalent to a lurker. I say hi to fellow Buffistas (the two that usually attend), donate a couple batches of truffles to the bake sale, and maybe get an autograph. But this just bothers me no end. I think it's because I've actually interacted with the sonuvabitch, and it completely blindsided me that he was such a creep. I also have an unreasoning dislike for one of the directors, too. He bugs the hell out of me.

[jesseh.livejournal.com]

That is exactly how harassers get away with it -- if they looked like creeps to the casual observer, they'd never get close enough. Ugh.

[nestra.livejournal.com]

"We greatly appreciate the feedback we've received on the board's recent decision. The convention committee is working on a response." = ZOMG why is everyone so angry and loud?

[dxmachina.livejournal.com]

Yup, they're reloading for another shot at their collective foot as we speak.

[karlht.livejournal.com]

Signed. I'd been hoping to get to Readercon, mostly because you and some other Buffistas seemed to enjoy it so much.

And because my home con here on the West Coast is going to need to get out in front of this -- we're just now starting to publish harassment policies, and fighting the entrenched defensiveness is really going to be challenging.

Take good care of yourself, and thank you for pointing me to this. It's important.