Hedgebrook's Favorite Geek
GeekGirlCon art by Tatyana Vogt
Since 2011, autumn has heralded a major event in Seattle: GeekGirlCon.For two days, self-proclaimed geeks from all over the country join together tocelebrate their love of all things geeky, often in costume. While the event ismeant to provide a safe space for women and girls to feel empowered anduplifted, it is open to everyone, regardless of gender identification.
The GeekGirlConmission statement declares that the organization “celebrates and honors the legacies ofunder-represented groups in science, technology, comics, arts, literature, gameplay, and game design. We do this by connecting geeks worldwide and creating anintersectional community that fosters the continued growth of women in geekculture. GeekGirlCon provides a safe space to spark conversations around socialjustice while encouraging unabashed geekiness.”
At the forefront ofthe organization is SharonMagliano Feliciano, President of GeekGirlCon’s Board of Directors. Sharon’s geekinessextends outside of GeekGirlCon, and she can often be found in Shoreline, whereshe co-owns Arcane Comics. Those of you here at Hedgebrook might recognize heras our own Assistant Director of Development and Outreach.
Of her participation with both women-focused organizations,Sharon has said, “At the intersectionof my work with Hedgebrook and my work with GeekGirlCon is the need to create safespaces for women and under-represented voices. I feel so grateful to workwith two amazing feminist organizations that encourage folks to expressthemselves bravely and authentically.”
While public geekculture has, historically, been male-dominated, and the stories in comics,video games, and science fiction have often catered to the male-gaze, this isbeginning to change. In a world where interest in women’s stories andperspectives is growing, places like GeekGirlCon offer opportunities not onlyfor life-long female fans to geek out together, but also for “geeklets” toexplore the world of geekiness without judgment or bias. Sharon has beenbringing her own children to GeekGirlCon since its inception, and the warm,open atmosphere is not only welcoming for parents, but, perhaps moreimportantly, shows their children, who will write the stories of the future,what an inclusive and accepting world looks like.
At the heart ofGeekGirlCon is the belief that a more diverse and innovative geek fan-base notonly exists, but should have a gathering space in which to celebrate theirgeekiness and creativity. A space that can spark new ways to look at storiesand new platforms for building and sharing them. A space that advocates for theexploration of more inclusive and feminist storytelling. A space where womenfeel comfortable geeking-out and empowering each other.
We at Hedgebrook can’t wait to see theenthusiasm that emerges from this year’s GeekGirlCon, and are eager to supportSharon’s work as she looks to how our planet can represent itself in thefuture.