ClexaConSanity 2018 Edition: We Are One

By starrymag | April 16, 2018

By: Sharon Kurack

 

 

A year ago, I had experienced the worst FOMO during my birthday as the first ClexaCon had been going on and for reasons I had deemed important at the time, I decided not to attend. So, I decided not to allow that to happen again and, in doing so, had made some amazing friends as we banded together to attend an amazing and SAFE event. A year can change everything, positively and negatively.

 

In attendance to ClexaCon 2018 was not only me, but also my now girlfriend and friends that I had made over a year ago. All over social media you hear people talk about how the experience “changed their lives.” For me perspective on a few truths were changed or broadened. The following is a recap of my own experience, personal as it may be, but with all heart. Take from it what you will, and I hope you will get to judge the ClexaCon experience with your own eyes.

 

However, before all of that, I must extend a huge recognition to the volunteers as they worked with what they had and perhaps put up with a lot that has NOT been mentioned. Words will never express the hard work accomplished and the straight up “ish” you all probably took, some while smiling. Thank you. You were the backbone of this experience and I applaud all of you.

 

 

“Let’s get down to business…..”

 

Unless you’ve managed to stay away from social media, the amazing panels of which I’m about to speak were most definitely covered. With the best angles and scenes carefully collected and crafted into music videos of the subject(s), the main panels began in front of the hyped up, no-chill audience. The smaller panels, on the other hand, provided intimate settings in which to have meaningful conversations and epiphanies. As both a reporter and con-goer, it is my pleasure to give an overview of what I experienced.

 

My advice for the convention newbie? Go a day or two early. Trust me, your mental health will thank you for it, especially if you’re coming from afar. Easing into a schedule is hard enough so easing into a con schedule with a jet-lagged body trying to see and do everything? There isn’t enough caffeine in the world to aid.

 

After a brief rest, Friday arrived bringing on the insanity of ClexaCon that is also known as “ClexaConsanity.” The safe space for the LGBTQ+ community opened with a beautiful panel appropriately named “Lexa’s Legacy,” in which panelists (Nicole Espinosa, Rin L, Chandler Meyer and Lynn Sternberger) and moderator Jess Kath spoke of what Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) from the series “The 100” meant (and still means) to us as a whole. Her death left a void in everyone’s hearts in some manner, but we (like Clarke) did not let her die in vain – a movement that is still gaining momentum sparked and continues to be the spark that will forever light the world. That, my friends, is Lexa’s legacy. And our Heda would be proud of us, but as she has also said, “Our fight is not over.”

 

From “Lexa’s Legacy” panel I then had the opportunity to attend the panel “Poor Queer Representation and How it Affects Mental Health,” which accomplished exactly what it set out to do. Each of the panelists (Zara Barrie, Nikki Daurio, CB Lee, Jenn Polish, Annie Segarra and Eden Trevino) shared their stories bravely, showing us that not only is it going to be ok, but also that things do indeed work out and that it isn’t shameful to get the help you need. The stigma of mental health needs to be broken, as do stereotypes, and one of the ways to accomplish this is to start the conversation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your journeys and please know that in doing so you have inspired many to take the first step in understanding.

 

I could easily transition to how I did indeed attend both the “Lost Girl Reunion” panel as well as “Wynonna Earp,” but I cannot do so without my first and rather large critique: lines, lines, everywhere. As a con-goer, it’s expected that at some point, you will be faced with 1) having to wait in some sort of line and 2) having to choose among a bunch of really great panels. This is not news to anyone. That being said, I am aware that until recently New York Comic Con had the similar problem of people lining up for panels, two panels before said panel, OR saving spots in line for their friends in other panels. This year at NYCC, there was a “Badge scan” system in which one would arrive early, scan their badge and save their spot in line to be claimed a little closer than two hours before the panel. This was done to perhaps curb the craziness, as well as allow con-goers to attend other panels whilst they wait.

 

This, sadly, was not the case at ClexaCon. In CC’s defense, this was the second year and there will always be kinks to work out of a system in its sophomore year. They did not, perhaps, expect over four thousand people to attend, nor did they expect “Earpers” to come in droves for any and all things Wynonna Earp-related. Granted, most if not all of the main panel lines were like this, and sadly, caused attendees to have to choose carefully where to spend their time as photo opportunities and autographs went on simultaneously. Our beloved actresses and writers were hustled to and fro, perhaps not even being able to take a moment for coffee. (All involved there really deserve the world’s applause.) Fortunately, ClexaCon was able to quickly post the full length videos on social media of the main panels. Thank you ClexaCon tech!

 

Saturday brought down the house, perhaps quite literally, with definitely majority of attendees waiting and walking around for the amazing panels to come. The CW brought its A-game with panels from “Black Lightning” (Nafessa Williams) and “Alex Danvers: Behind the Badge” (Chyler Leigh). Both panels brought amazing representation, insight and heart from the actresses involved and, personally, I was moved to tears. Both actresses are absolute diamonds and the community is lucky to have them. If anything, both panels made me love and appreciate them more as human beings. I can only hope they know and feel the positive light from us.

 

While Vegas never sleeps, neither does the ClexaCon goer. The elite of the elite came out for Cocktails for Change, which was a business casual event where attendees could have drinks and chat with their favorite celebs and writers, all raising money for the True Colors Fund, an organization working to end homelessness around lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. As press, I was pressed for time with those in attendance so instead of the hard-hitting questions one would expect, I gave certain celebs fun, quick-shot questions to put them at ease. Believe it or not, celebs are indeed human and any human who has to be “on” 24/7 needs a “breather” once in a while.

 

So, for your enjoyment, the following are my interviews that took place at the red carpet event prior to Cocktails for Change.

 

Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Legends of Tomorrow)

 

Q) Describe 2018 in one word.

 

A) Progressive

 

Q) Other than Vixen, who is your favorite female superhero?

 

A) Sara Lance because she has no superpowers and is a total badass.

 

Q) What is your Hogwarts House?

 

A) Gryffindor (Ravenclaw a close second)

 

Marlene Forte (Altered Carbon, Fear The Walking Dead, Marvel’s Runaways)

 

Q) Describe ClexaCon in one word.

 

A) Estrogen

 

Q) Favorite female superhero?

 

A) I want to say Wonder Woman, but that’s just because I have such a crush on her and I like that she can deflect.

 

Q) How can we best promote organizations like True Colors fund to best help the younger LGBTQ+ generation?

 

A) Social media is the best way to do it. We’re doing good, but we can do better. Social media seems to be able to best target young people and get them together and organized.

 

Briana Venskus (Supergirl, The Walking Dead)

 

Q) If you were a T-shirt phrase, what would you say?

 

A) I think I’d want one that says, “He’s right behind you,” because it’s a little creepy, but you’re also like, who is?

 

Q) Define ClexaCon in one word.

 

A) Home.

 

Q) Define 2018 in one word.

 

A) Rollercoaster. It’s a doozy.

 

Elise Bauman (Carmilla)

 

Q) Finish the statement: If Wonder Woman had a partner (romantic or other), it would be…

 

A) A watermelon. I don’t know, I’ve never seen Wonder Woman; it was the first thing that came to my mind.

 

Q) What is your favorite candy, seasonal or regular?

 

A) Twix bar

 

Q) Define ClexaCon in one word.

 

A) Amazing

 

Natasha Negovanlis (Carmilla)

 

Q) If you were a T-shirt phrase, what would you be?

 

A) “Nego-my-vanlis”

 

Q) Describe ClexaCon in one word.

 

A) Surreal

 

Q) Describe 2018 in one word.

 

A) 20-GAYteen

 

Tamara Duarte (Wynonna Earp)

 

Q) Describe 2018 in one word.

 

A) Humbling

 

Q) If you were a T-shirt phrase, what would you say.

 

A) “It’s hard to get dead.”

 

Q) What is your favorite candy, seasonal or regular?

 

A) Sour Patch Kids

 

Thank you to all those who donated/participated in raising money for a great cause! And thank you to the celebs who came out and played along with our fun questions! It was lovely chatting with each of you, although briefly.

 

Sunday, perhaps, was my absolute favorite of all three days, despite it being the last day of ClexaCon 2018. The CW once again brought its “A-game” with both “Legends of Tomorrow” and “SheThority” panels. With Legends, we were gifted the presence of both Caity Lotz (Sara Lance/White Canary) and Maisie Richardson-Sellars (Amaya/Vixen), who were both absolute gems and badasses in their own right. There was talk of (finally) having a bisexual female lead, #Avalance, how infuriating Jes Macallan was as Ava Sharpe and the future of our Legends. (Although I must say, there were ZERO spoilers about the season finale and I did not see it coming!)

 

Whilst the Legends panel discussed all the amazing things of the show as well as a cameo from one of the writers, “SheThority” came in like a wrecking ball to the patriarchy and was moderated by the one and only Dana Piccoli. And the movement doesn’t look like it’s going to lose momentum anytime soon. We were joined once again by not only Caity Lotz and Maisie Richardson-Sellars, but also the lovely Chyler Leigh. They spoke of how the women of The CW band together to lift one another up, not tear one another down. From their brief videos about any topic at hand to the amazing apparel that raises funds for great international causes, “SheThority” has proven to be a force equal to the Girl of Steel for good. In fact, according to Caity Lotz, they plan on getting their website up and running within the next few months, being more active and having articles submitted on a variety of topics and events. Keep your eyes peeled; “SheThority,” like ClexaCon, is doing what a lot could not do before —- connect us all and showing us that “we are not alone.” And in the great words of Chyler Leigh, “If you have a platform to use for something positive, then you damn well better do it or else you don’t deserve to have it.”

 

 

Final Musings

 

Perhaps the panel that most resonated with me was “SheThority” because it opened my eyes and showed me that I could be doing better what the platform that I have (writing). As a teacher of high school students, I already use my platform to help the kids when they stumble along (as we all have during high school), reassuring that it will be ok and work out in the end. But after attending this panel, I thought, “I could do so much more for others with my words.” And so I shall.

 

One huge thing I did not cover here, but will glad be happy to speak to anyone willing to listen, is the vendors. All of the vendors and artists I spoke with at length were inspiring and amazing (Foley, Meraki and Fangirl Shirts to name only a few). The amount of talent on display took my breath. There were so many authors (a few who donated to my school’s GSA for the students to have more representation in books) and so many artists who deserve to be seen as well. I was awed. I am hoping in the coming month to be able to review what I have read and seen with the reasonings to promote more diversity in writing and art/comics. Thank you to the vendors for painstakingly working your craft and enduring the process that separates those who wish it and those who want it.

 

More emotional and personal to me would be how I witnessed many new friendships forming, bonding and strengthening. My own romantic relationship strengthened and the amount of comfort and sheer safety we felt could never be measured. A place like ClexaCon connects us all and where there may be drifting friends, such a place is where we always will reunite. May we meet again.

 

 

A final note: While we have a long way to go, taking care of each other is the first step. Be kind, even when the situation SCREAMS otherwise. Be kind. And may we meet again, dear ones.