So the biggest con of the year has come and gone, but there are still more to come. One huge one coming up is DragonCon (arguably the birthplace of BRP). Oh, I’d love to go to that one!

Anyway, much has been discussed lately about safety at Cons, specifically safety against harassment in all its nasty, mean forms.

Harassment in public settings is a tricky thing, for the victim that is. There’s so many people around, everyone’s laughing and having a good time, costumes are everywhere and the mood is just so high you might float away, and then something happens. Maybe you spent weeks and weeks putting together the coolest cosplay costume ever, maybe it’s a little revealing, but that’s okay because we’re all mature adults right? Wrong. Your awesome, bouncing mood is shattered by some creepy comment or lewd gesture or maybe someone even touched you. You want to say something, but you’re nervous, or even a little scared. That’s okay, that’s perfectly normal. But maybe you braved the Con alone and you don’t know where to go? Or maybe you do, but you don’t want to go alone. Or maybe you don’t feel like you can get out of this horrid situation alone.

Photo credit: Emmie Mears

Now you don’t have to be afraid, not anymore. Now there is the Backup Ribbon Project.

This amazing thing was started by two Con attendees and basically it’s a battle cry to all people who think you should be able to go places, in costume or not, alone or in a group, and be safe in your space.

If you need help, anyone wearing one of these beautiful purple ribbons is your new best friend. They will intervene, they will walk with you, they will find help for you or with you.

Let me tell you, if I am ever at a Con again, and I will be, I will be wearing one of these ribbons. I hope you will too. And if you see me, and you want one of these ribbons, I will have extra and I will pass them out.