We need to be a lot more conscious of bad actors at cons now. Please always travel in groups, or pairs at minimum. If you leave con space or historical lyrics furry loving spaces (think immediate area outside AC), I'd take the badges off sadly. Better to be safe than sorry. Now about media... - ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

galefrostbane.bsky.social • 22 days ago

We need to be a lot more conscious of bad actors at cons now.

Please always travel in groups, or pairs at minimum.

If you leave con space or historical lyrics furry loving spaces (think immediate area outside AC), I'd take the badges off sadly. Better to be safe than sorry.

Now about media...

Reposted from Dario 🐭🎈🔜 TFF

So Fox News is starting to run primetime hit pieces on us, in their primetime and late night spots, in response to the Texas “FURRIES” bill.. and they are obviously filled with misinformation and “fringe” stereotypes.

Sounding the alarm now as I fear the 🎯 is on our back.

🐭📡

(1/2)

Comments

finnthepanther.com•22 days ago

Your point on traveling in groups is so important. People who look like me already have targets on their backs in places other than the coasts, and I'm still not comfortable wearing my badge when I venture anywhere past the same block the convention is at. The risk simply isn't worth it

zryderace.bsky.social•22 days ago

From my perspective, I've never had any problems or worries about wearing my badges, I even come with em on the plane to a con, what are the risks you mention?

tabernak.bsky.social•22 days ago

Unpopular view is: cons really need security like FC had this year for a while :s

exkhaniber.bsky.social•22 days ago

What security did FC have?

tabernak.bsky.social•22 days ago

Metal detectors and outside security at the convention center because of some random dumbass furry threatening to shoot up the con

But tbh I fear stuff from outside is a “not if but when” with cons so I didn’t mind

exkhaniber.bsky.social•22 days ago

Okay, I don't think it's an "unpopular" one so much as it is a "complicated" one.

In general people don't have fond feelings of security personnel in their spaces, and the broader LGBTQ+ community has a pretty bad history with them already.

exkhaniber.bsky.social•22 days ago

So I think it's entirely reasonable to want more security, but a lot of con-goers got miffed at the most polite security people, so having more serious security is going to be fraught with conflict between staff and con-goers, and between goers too.

exkhaniber.bsky.social•22 days ago

It's going to be very difficult to toe a narrow line between, "providing enough security so it isn't just [security theater]", "providing sufficient security so our attendees feel safe", and, "security itself is making our attendees feel unsafe and uncomfortable".

knabewolf.bsky.social•22 days ago

The way cons handled the Bomb Voyage guy last summer was outright dreadful. That fucker and his crew should have been universally banned after pretending to shoot up a crowd at FWA. Cons need to start putting their feet down about banning prop weapons and bad actors.

vargulfen.com•22 days ago

Yea it is bad.
What is to stop someone from making a real weapon look like a cosplay weapon?
Considering the hatred for Trans people these days and MAGA using "furry" as a replacement word for "Trans" it would be very wise to take security MUCH more serious.

tanasimensis.bsky.social•22 days ago

Yeah it was atrocious.

tabernak.bsky.social•22 days ago

Not even regarding him, I should never have to do a double take at a furry con because some random looking ass guy is holding a fake shotgun for “cosplay”

.. and the security loopholes allowing that shit at a crowded mess of a con alone is fucking terrifying.

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

I agree with you tbh

ottootsky.bsky.social•22 days ago

Thanks for sharing this.

This... blows...

eddiebear58.bsky.social•22 days ago

Yeah, I have concerns about the 2 block walk between the Omni and the DLCC. I may be restricting my fursuiting activities because of it, especially at night. Most likely I'll be leaving my more complicated and valuable rigs at home.

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

I def say make use of the shuttles if you can!

eddiebear58.bsky.social•22 days ago

For night time, going to and from the dances, yeah. During the day, I need the exercise. My doctor is threatening me with insulin if I don't get my A1c under control.

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

Fair fair! My step count at AC is always off the charts haha

eddiebear58.bsky.social•22 days ago

Yeah, my feets tell me the same thing! (Usually by Thursday evening! LOL)

mozdoc.bsky.social•22 days ago

I wish this fandom didn't have to deal with this sensationalist shit.
Its not recent, its been a miasma of the fandom ever since I joined and that was two thousand one. You'd think we'd be over this by now.

terisuewood.bsky.social•21 days ago

I had not heard about the Texas bill. And I was looking at Texas as a future habitat. Well. Hm. 😐

anocelittle.bsky.social•22 days ago

I hope you folks do alright.

puppyryan.fluff.gay•20 days ago

Straight up just not gonna go to a con in the US for the next 4 years atleast

Plenty of good ones up here in Canada, thankfully

undrewsual.bsky.social•22 days ago

Also: if you post pics of your lewd art and/or pictures of your dick or what have you, it is a very good time to start using the NSFW tag on here.

tazzle.art•22 days ago

We've felt similar waves over here in the UK, around Scotiacon the british tabloids published a load of nasty hit pieces on the con in the week leading up that caused the charity to pull out. Had security on the doors for a few years now and looks to be staying that way. Keep eachother safe!

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

I saw that regarding ScotiaCon and the charity this year, that's just dreadful.

We as a global community need to keep each other safe for sure! We all still want to be having fun at these cons!

colbypupgb.bsky.social•22 days ago

I'd like to think if something serious and noteworthy happened to a furry in downtown Pittsburgh during Anthrocon, the Mayor would be on the police chief's ass to find the culprit in fear they'd lose Anthrocon.

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

Anthrocon has a strong and beautiful relationship with the city! You should always still be careful and alert regardless. But yes some cons benefit from a strong relationship with their host location.

talonsaurn.bsky.social•22 days ago

This is one of my reasons I absolutely love the convention in Pittsburgh. It feels like we are very welcome there compared to every other convention I have attended. The fact that be pretty much take over the city for those few days doesn't hurt either.

colbypupgb.bsky.social•22 days ago

In my headcanon, starting in May, the last few mayors of Pittsburgh have woken up in cold sweats from nightmares where they get called down to the DLCCC during Anthrocon and Kage is there giving them the "come heeere" finger wag.

thesweetheartsquad.bsky.social•22 days ago

LOL yeah Gainey would be sweating profusely at the idea of being confronted by Kage

wayonoransky.bsky.social•22 days ago

I'm usually acting human at cons, and always have my badge hidden when I'm away from the con.

As for questions, can I answer them like I'm a weird goat?
or uno reverse and ask them the same question right after? 🤔

patter.bsky.social•22 days ago

Badges, t-shirts ... better just turn up dressed for work

thesweetheartsquad.bsky.social•22 days ago

Should we consider this a bad omen for AC? Don't want to sound pessimistic, but I'm surprised that no huge protest has taken place there yet.

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

Naw, no need to fear monger. Trust me, every con is very aware of acting accordingly. Cons work very hard to keep people safe.

Just take your own safe and smart actions and help the con if you see anything off.

meigoshep.bsky.social•22 days ago

Why does everything good always get ruined by ragebaiters...can we not have nice things?!

basicallyanubis.bsky.social•22 days ago

“I’d take the badges off” oh so we’re just going to let these losers win?? Cessions to those trying to destroy our way of expression are a very dangerous slope. These “small concessions” snowball, and that’s how we got here as a nation.

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

Please, do NOT, talk to anyone at a con asking questions when you don't know them.

Cons give media passes to trusted people like students or local news after vetting them and often escort them around the con.

Otherwise report anyone else to con staff, especially if you recognize a YouTuber (cont

zehgess.bsky.social•22 days ago

I mean, I agree with you, but didn't the creepy YouTuber who secretly filmed an +18 room party have a media pass provided by the con they were attending?

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

Nope! They did have a con badge, but absolutely no media pass.

I was not staff at that con that year so I can't illuminate further but I did see him around.

zehgess.bsky.social•22 days ago

Oh that goes against what I've been informed regarding it. The editor furry weekly stated that he used their credentials to get a media pass so that he could conduct interviews.

xydexxunicorn.bsky.social•22 days ago

Yeah, I didn't see him wearing a press pass in the YouTube video I watched this afternoon.

Considering that guy's dishonesty about so many other things, I wouldn't be surprised if he lied about having one.

xydexxunicorn.bsky.social•22 days ago

Anyway.

https://bsky.app/profile/xydexxunicorn.bsky.social/post/3lfxbem7mdc24

xydexxunicorn.bsky.social•22 days ago

Echoing this. As someone who did media liaison duties for Anthrocon for years, the rule of thumb is if they want to interview you and they don't have a press pass, there's usually a good reason why they don't have one.

wovaka.bsky.social•22 days ago

Adding to this as furcon safety:
In such cases please take pictures/video of them. Especially on con property.

This makes it significantly easier for us to spot and recognise them. While a news team might be obvious. A random YouTuber is less so.

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

YouTubers, streamers and content creators who aren't furries often are just there for clickbait and shock content, if they cared they'd let the con know and get a media pass like Andrew Callahan did years ago or that fella at AFC recently. Then they can still film fun content. (Cont.)

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

I've staffed and run cons over 10 years now, I've talked to countless news, student journalists, etc. Even good faith actors ask bait, and you need to know how to answer.

Don't let the thrill of being in a clip cloud your judgement. Focus on your con and friends.

BE SAFE OUT THERE FURS!

ringgarthewolf.bsky.social•22 days ago

How would you recommend to answer in this sort of situation?

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

You can say "No thank you" or "I'm not interested" politely and walk away.

Or did you mean something else?

ringgarthewolf.bsky.social•22 days ago

That's definitely the best answer, but sometimes I wonder about the best way to go about explaining what furry is to someone. I've got my own answers, and I know that's a nebulous question, but I can't help but find myself going back to rethink how I would answer someone (not media specifically)

corasik.com•22 days ago

Con's are going to work even harder with security, especially around the fursuit lounges. There can easily be a million dollars (or more) of fursuits drying out in some of the bigger lounges. A tempting target for fur haters.

bluehasia.bsky.social•22 days ago

Sadly the urge for people to get on camera to get notice for attention clouds a person judgment to stop & check if they are not trolls or legit sanctioned media

I been turning down trolls for years & sadly one tried to legit kill me because he got made i had security chase them out of the building

beeton5.bsky.social•22 days ago

Even though I've booped a news camera once or twice during a fursuit parade, I'm never willingly setting out to be on TV. I never actively seek out any journalists or reporters because I prefer to stay out of the news spotlight. Thanks for all this advice Gale. It's really appreciated 👍

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

Camera boops and waves are great! And some cons a staff member might ask folks to participate in coverage by trusted folks and that's fine!

beeton5.bsky.social•22 days ago

I remember after the big band last year, Cosmik asked if I would be interested in a radio interview with some other band members. And that went really well! But if there are reporters or strangers there without con approval that are there to cause trouble, I avoid them like the plague.

blizzardfox.bsky.social•22 days ago

Excellent advice and input! As the person who does media/public relations for some of your favorite West Coast cons: PLEASE tell staff if you see that. Someone shoving a camera in your face and asking questions needs to be addressed. If it's someone I've vetted, they've been given instructions.

lucidshuck.bsky.social•22 days ago

This, the wbz guy asked me at ANE how I felt about the fandom’s reputation so I told him “I don’t have anything to say about that”
The rest of the interview was fine but that was definitely a pitfall I avoided.
Only take interviews if you know the person and have seen their content imo.

lucidshuck.bsky.social•22 days ago

The video turned out fine thankfully and I was cut from it so alas the image of Lucid with a wbz mic in her mouth is lost to some storage drive in the WBZ offices (or most likely deleted)

myriaderoc.bsky.social•22 days ago

It's possible to commit no mistakes and still lose too. Clickbaiters will run up to fursuiters and involuntarily create viral moments with them. This happened to me with "someone help the pregnant furry." Yeah, that was my fursuit. All the experience engaging with hostile audiences at work didn't...

myriaderoc.bsky.social•22 days ago

...help me avoid that situation. Worse, the person mostly stayed outside my field of view making me think they were just some awkward MFF attendee. Cons definitely need to step up the security in the current political environment. Agitators seem to be very common at the big cons now.

galefrostbane.bsky.social•22 days ago

Big agree. I'm so sorry you were harassed

kinirotonada.bsky.social•22 days ago

Reposting this as former PR for the MLP convention Equestria LA. It's super important to get this out there and how not to interact with a shock jock.

theophos.bsky.social•21 days ago

I remember when you guys were stopped by those middle schoolers at ANE' 23. You handled their questions really well, while both Green Fox and I joked about the interviewer and the camera guy. As we walked away, the kid filming looks down at his phone and goes "Man, I don't want to do this anymore."

origamigryphon.bsky.social•20 days ago

Did they say that because you guys weren't taking their bait and got bored, or because they genuinely felt bad?

theophos.bsky.social•20 days ago

They were already bored and nobody took the bait. From memory, they stopped a few suiters after the parade as an oppertunity for an "interview" and Gale saw right through them. I joked with Green Fox within earshot of the person filming. Eventually, the kid asking the questions just gave up.