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| The innocuous front side of the nameplate |
Prism Comics asked me to be on a panel discussion called "We're Here, We're Queer, Now What? New Directions in LGBTQ Comics," or something to that effect.
I've been on numerous panels at comics conventions since I started doing comics back in 1999, but this is the first time I've seen a warning on the back of my nameplate. Well, not just mine, everybody's had this on the back:
The moderator had mentioned the "18 Warning," or else I might not have noticed it. I think it was on the back of ALL the nameplates for the entire convention, I don't think it was just for the GAY panels. But it's stupid, right? It doesn't even specify what it's supposed to mean. It doesn't say don't cuss, or don't show dirty images, it just says "...be AWARE that many members of your audience may be under 18 years of age." Well, no shit. I'm aware. So fucking what?
But because of that stupid warning and my "awareness" of it, I was saying something in response to the moderator's question, and instead of saying, "fucking" like I had intended, I stammered out the awkward, "effing." Which I hate. Hate it when people puss out and substitute that. It's not like anybody of any age is going to be unaware that it stands for the real F word.
Sigh. Whatever. I think I said "shit," and maybe even blurted out an entire "fuck" during the panel. I just thought it was funny more than anything, having that impotent little warning staring at us, begging us to think of the children.
The other 3 creators on the panel were talking about graphic lesbian sex, gay "bear" culture, bisexualism and various other things some people might find taboo. But we were all "aware." ;)
I don't think we should shelter kids from the idea of free speech, right?
After my brain has settled a little, I might post more details and thoughts on the convention. It was really fun, especially since we hadn't been to a comics convention in a few years.
In case you're wondering, I was on the panel with the following creators:
Josh Trujillo
Ed Luce
Shayna Why
Roger Klorese (moderator)
Yeah, I detected that "effing" speedbump when you were talking. I know that everyone was as awkward about that warning as you were, though. Maybe they were especially cautious because of its proximity to Dizzyland? I dunno; I'm not making excuses for them. I did detect overall a more squeaky-clean image, despite the ample cosplay flesh on display.
ReplyDeleteThe same message was on the back of our SDCC nameplates last summer as well.
ReplyDelete