| This article is built on a bunch of assumptions and stereotypes which is terribly ironic given the subject matter. Some of it may be true but some of it just very wrong. Men can expect that their presence at an event won't automatically be assumed to be decorative or secondary to another man. Not really. Ask the benchwarmers for a high school sports team. Despite the growing presence of women in comics, as publishers, editors and creators as well as consumers, a preponderance of men will either treat women at conventions as inconveniences, booth bunnies or even potential dates. I can't comment on comic books but in the books, movies and TV shows I want I've actually found the exact opposite is increasingly true. There's a strong temptation to make the female characters super-human creatures with a PHD and a shotgun. Always a witty comeback. Always the most moral and ethical characters. Men are also not going to be automatically assigned into a particular niche just based on their gender. Tell that to some straight guy who happens to like female-centric things. They're going to be assumed to be homosexuals most of the time. And when they are seen as customers, they're often automatically assumed to be buying one of the designated "girl" properties Perhaps in the same way a man strolling around certain types of stores popular with females would be seen? One of these is welcomed into geek culture with open arms, the other has to justify their existence in the first place. Says who? makes women feel unwelcome in fandom Tell that to all the rapid female Twilight fans. |