cosplayer treatment, specifically brony cosplayers.

[twilightspurkle 6]

Let's talk about this cause I feel like it's important and pretty interesting. I wanted to get some opinions, it's been in my head for a while but I've never really gotten to talk to anyone about it.

 

Okay, so I've heard some horror stories about people being harassed because they're dressed sexily (no matter how you're dressed it's not very nice, or acceptable to do that to people), however, I have heard a lot recently about bronies doing this sort of thing to fellow bronies who are dressed up.

 

Now anyone who cosplays just in general, even if it's not a revealing cosplay can be harassed in many way, wither it be jumping on them, grabbing them or touching them/getting to close for their comfort. However, I've been reading a lot of rants about how people who dress up as their favorite ponies get hugged, jumped on, or grabbed by people in a manner that they do not like. I don't get why if is not okay to do that to a person you don't know it, why it seems okay to do it to a person you don't know who happens to be dressed as a pony. I mean, yes you're in the same fandom, that's awesome, but I just think so bothersome and not okay. I know the brony fandom is most certianly not the only fandom guilty of this but like I said it's been a lot of rants lately of not feeling safe dressed up as a pony. :|

 

This gives me a lot of conflicting feelings because for so sooo long I've wanted to cosplay as Twilight at Acen. I finally got a job that will provide me with enough money for the supplies I need, and a pass to next year's Acen. I'm a nice person and all, but I don't like people I don't know touching me, I'm sure most people don't like that. I don't really think anyone would go out of their way to hurt or bother me to much, but I just don't like the possibility. I just really want to cosplay as something I adore and feel safe.

 

maybe I should just get a invisible force field, yeah, that'll do it.

[Chigens and Kay 3,832]

This thread appears to be related to the My Little Pony franchise and/or the Bronydom in general. Thus, it has been sentenced to Sugarcube Corner.

 

This is an automatically generated message, by the way.

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

...maybe I should just get a invisible force field, yeah, that'll do it.

 

Very interesting points, you have made.  It looks like there are two different ideas that come into play here: respect for personal space and respect for artistic interpretation.

 

The artistic interpretation thing is very subjective, and not everybody will like everybody else's portrayal of their favorite character.  Still, cosplay as whatever you like, in whatever way you like (subject to the policies set forth by the convention owner/operator).  A few minutes on Google will confirm that "sexy" cosplay can be found for damn near every character under the sun.  If somebody doesn't like it, they are constitutionally guaranteed the right to walk away and commence fornicating with themselves.

 

The other matter (personal space) is non-negotiable.  Nobody should touch you without permission.  Ok, so a hug might be relatively innocent and well-intentioned, but it's pretty much up to you to establish boundaries.  Additionally, you might consider going with a friend who can reassure you (or set any offenders straight) if you are genuinely concerned about somebody touching you inappropriately.  Hell, if you go to BronyCon in Baltimore, there are plenty of us who would be willing to watch your back so you can enjoy the event without worrying about unwelcome intrusions.

[RockinRarity 1,605]

I have cosplayed once. Not as a pony, but as Maka from Soul Eater. My experience was that I got a lot of attention from people, but more like shout-outs and compliments. I got asked if I could get my picture taken. It was all appropriate, and the attention was nice.

 

I don't think that the jumping thing is all that common to bronies in particular, honestly. I went to Bronycon last year, and I have also been to Youmacon in Detroit, and for the past couple of years there have been pony displays, and I have never witnessed any jumping on pony cosplayers.

 

I guess that if you don't want it to happen to you, if you see someone coming up to you violently, do what you can to block them from glomping you, and ask them politely to please mind your personal space and ask for permission before hugging. I am not sure if you can completely avoid it if the people around just feel like ignoring all cosplay etiquette, but like I said, I don't think that it happens often enough for it to be that huge of an issue.

 

Hope this helps.

[Zygen 6,066]

Ive never really been to a convention or anything or cosplayed, but I assume sometimes people just don't like how you interpret their charactor I guess, you can't really please everyone.

 

As for the touching it could just be people checking out costumes, depends, if not try your best to ask people not to or anything.

 

I dunno again not terribly experienced, just making some observations from knowledge.

 

Good luck!

[RockinRarity 1,605]

I find that for pony costumes, as long as the costume is aesthetically pleasing, people are going to like it. I find that cosplaying as a pony who already wears clothes can be interesting and can make for a nice, clean cosplay, as long as the clothing itself is made well. Also, getting the right kind of wig and styling it cleanly helps as well.

 

Go look online and see what cosplay have already been done. Find pictures with aesthetically pleasing costumes, and see if you can replicate that style.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

I think it would be nice to have a few Spike accessories for my trip to MD. I might try to find one. I'm certain to be looking nice regardless.

[Gone for good 1,593]

I dunno, you'll probably be fine. I know that this is an old thread and all, but I've found that it's pretty rare for people to actually start doing the sexual kind of attention that you're fearing. Usually it's just shout outs and the like.

 

My sister cosplayed as a prostitute from God Killer at Otakon last year and surprisingly she didn't receive any physical contact at all soo yeah I think you'll be fine.