cons? maybe?

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I have decided I do not care about Arisia. But thinking about it reminded me that a while ago I was talking to a friend and mentioning that I really wanted a SF&F con that was inclusive and welcoming and had actual SF programming, neither of which Arisia did well. Said friend recommended I check out Boskone. So... now I'm contemplating whether or not I want to plan to go to Boskone. It's in... less than a month. These days I feel like I need at least a month's preparation just to leave the house and go to the grocery store. But, well... I'd like to change that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

jbsegal

I’m fascinated by the perception (And I’d assume experience) that Arisia isn’t inclusive and welcoming. I know we certainly try to be.

The level of actual sf content is very variable, certainly, but the former is concerning, to say the least…

From:

lmk

Arisia seems very clique-ish to me. It's very welcoming to people within the clique but not otherwise. I will elaborate if you want.
I do note the lack of POC, poor people, people with disabilities, etc. at the con.

From:

jbsegal

I can’t speak to cliquishness, as I’ve been part of the arisia community since it started, but many of the other parts of your list of issues…

Fandom, as a whole, is far whiter than is good, and always has been, but Arisia has been working for years to invite a wide and diverse range of folks to attend and participate.

This year’s author goh:
“is an enrolled member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe and a lineal descendant of Ousamequin Massasoit.”

Last year’s: has been recognized by the California State Senate for "extraordinary commitment to the visibility and well-being of Transgender people,"

23, female PoC

20, male PoC

——
Cons are expensive, yeah, especially in hotel costs, But Arisia’s been trying to reach out to less affluent folks:
For ‘26, currently
$55* through 9/30
$35 - students (students age 13-25 with a valid student ID)
. . .
Free - Card To Culture memberships for EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders and their families. Must show card at badge pick up.
——
As for folks with disabilities… One of the chairs this year is blind, one is a regular chair user. Various spaces were not used - as good as it might’ve been to have more space - because they aren’t accessible.

As a whole, https://2025.arisia.org/accessibility covers the topic

So I know we ATTEMPT to do the right things. If they’ve been failures, I know folks want to know…

I’m sorry I probably sound defensive and/or combative, and I’m not trying to, but I DO care about arisia and its perception… and I’d love to have seen you there…

(And I’m a junior level staffer at best, NOT speaking for the org)

From:

lmk

Hmm, I also realized I wasn't really clear in my post. When I said I decided I don't care about Arisia, I meant I decided not to go this year, not that I'm writing the con off forever or anything.