We caught up with cosplayer Angi Viper at Anime Los Angeles and talked with her about “Cosplay Is Not Consent”. Cosplay is a play on the words Costume and Play. It is usually used to refer to people who dress up as characters from geek and nerd culture. Cosplay is a unique and very personal form of expressing yourself. Every cosplayer is unique and they cosplay for their own reasons. Because of unique experiences and situations that each cosplayer goes through “Cosplay Is Not Consent” can mean different things to different cosplayers. It is a phrase that you see posted on banners at almost all pop culture conventions and something that comes up a lot in the cosplay community. It speaks to the sentiment that while cosplayers may go to conventions in order to showcase a new costume they are still to be respected. Especially when it comes to unwanted sexual advances.
We asked Angi a few questions about what it means to her and what she hopes that the cosplay community as well of people who encounter cosplayers would understand about the movement of “Cosplay Is Not Consent”.
What does “Cosplay Is Not Consent” mean to you?
Angi: Im actually super stoked that you came up to me to talk to me about this particular thing. Because I’m very passionate about sort of expanding the concept of ‘Cosplay Is Not Consent’. Because I feel like it’s very important to touch on the fact that sexual harassment is never okay. Whether you’re in costume or not, you should make sure that someone is comfortable with your advances before you start making sexual advances. And just because someone is in a costume dressed as a character that you idolize or you fantasize about. It does not mean that that person is there for your sexual pleasure. They’re not there because they want to sleep with you. They’re not there because they want to flirt with you. They’re not even necessarily there because they want to find a boyfriend or a girlfriend. They’re just there to have fun. But I also feel like it’s very important to note that “Cosplay Is Not Consent” could also extend to like cosplayer and photographer relationships. Like just standard people with a cell phone who want to take a picture of someone. Just because they’re in a costume doesn’t mean that they want to have their picture taken right then. It doesn’t even necessarily mean that they want to have their picture taken at all. Some people just come in costume because they just want to come in costume. So I think it’s just important for people to remember that just because someone is in a costume doesn’t mean that they’re there for you. They’re there for them because cosplay is a hobby. So if you are sexually interested in someone make sure you have their consent before you advance anything. If you want to take a picture of them make sure you have their consent before you take that photo. If you want to touch their costume or inspect it or something, you’re like, “oh my gosh, this cape looks so cool. Your wig looks amazing!” Ask them before you touch those things. Whether you’re another cosplayer or you’re an attendee or not, or you think you understand, just ask people before you assume that they’re okay with you interacting with them.
When approaching a cosplayer, what are some Do’s and Dont’s?
For me, I would say, I mean, it’s general human interaction. Like remember that cosplayers are just people so like sometimes they’re tired. Sometimes they’ve been in their costume for a long time. They’re uncomfortable. They’re hungry. Whatever the situation is, they aren’t necessarily in the best mood and you have to just kind of understand that. And just be polite and respectful. If somebody says no, don’t call them a bitch, be like, “Okay, you know, that’s that’s fine. I understand maybe later”. You know because chances are that person is going to be in the costume for the rest of the day. You’ll have another opportunity to take a picture with them. You’ll have another opportunity to interact with them. So just try to be patient and understanding. And honestly, that’s kind of my do’s and dont’s.
What is it like for you when someone hits on you or flirts with you when you are in cosplay?
I struggle with this a lot because I’m a naturally very flirtatious person. So I sort of flirt with people naturally anyways.And I have had a number of people who have taken that a little too seriously and kind of try to take things a little too far. And I had to be like, “Okay, look, this is how I joke with people. Like this is the kind of person that I am. It’s my personality. I don’t mean any offense. I’m sure you’re very nice person, but that’s not what I’m here for, like, I’m not here looking for a relationship. I’m here to make friends.” So, It’s awkward when that happens, but you just have to kind of have the confidence to stand up for yourself and communicate what it is that you do or do not want?
Interviewer: And you don’t have to stand up for yourself in the sense where you have to yell at them or say “How dare you?!”
Angi: Yeah, exactly. Exactly. I’m very much an advocate for respect within the community. So like you have to respect that, like me, I’m a very naturally flirtatious person. So when it goes too far with people, I understand that I am partially to blame because I was flirting back with them. So in a way I realize you thought it was one thing and that was not my intention and I’m sorry that’s the case but I’m not interested. And 9 times out of 10 they’re like, “Oh I’m so sorry. I totally understand”.
Interviewer: Right, because, generally, people aren’t trying to be jerks.
Angi: Yeah, exactly and it builds a better community and makes it a lot easier for all of us to interact together. If we just have a little more respect and patience for each other and just communicate things clearly.
How do you feel when people say “If you don’t want to get hit on, don’t cosplay sexy characters!”?
I tell them that that is bullshit. I do have an understanding, like, when you come to a convention dressed as a sexy character…like, I’m just a Naga right now, I’m not stupid. I’m walking around with fake boobies on and a big tit window and a thong… I look good, like, I’m confident. I know I look good. So, you know I kind of go into it expecting there’s probably going to be people that are going to see me and be like,” Ooo Damn she looking fine. Let’s go say ‘Hey'”, but again, I just I have enough respect for them as fellow human beings and fellow members of my community to know when that happens, Just be like, ” Sorry, I’m not interested”. And if they push it further at which that’s the point where I would be like “This is no longer okay!” Find con security, then I will tell them off. But first reaction is always like “I’m sorry. I’m not interested.” And I honestly I’ve made some friends that way. Where they’re like, “Hey girl” and I’m like “I’m really not interested” and they’re like, “Okay, you want to just like hang out?” and I’m like “Alright!”
What is something you wished people knew about cosplaying sexy characters?
Honestly, I had a very interesting conversation with someone went on the internet who tried to give me a hard time for my school girl Elsa costume. Because he was like ‘Well you’re sexualizing a character that’s meant for kids and that’s inappropriate.” The fact of the matter is this is my hobby. This is what I do because I’m passionate about it and I dress up as characters that I love. I love Elsa. She’s my favorite character. I connect with her in a way that you can never understand. And I have every single outfit that she’s worn in the movies. And I wanted to do something that was a little more fun a little more out of the box. I did it with a group of girls who were all in similar outfits and it gave me a lot of confidence in myself. Because I was putting myself in a slightly uncomfortable situation of being in a sexier costume. But I was doing it as a character that I love. Which is very empowering. It made me very confident in myself because I was able to do it through the eyes of a character that I connect with so strongly. And that was a very inspirational moment for me. And he actually, he came back, and he was like “You know what, I never actually looked at it that way and like thank you so much for explaining it.” And I wish people would just listen more and I wish people would just be a little more calm and rational about explaining these things. Because some people just don’t realize that we do that to empower ourselves. I’m dressed as Naga, right now. She’s a very sexy character, but she was my favorite character. I was just telling my friends a second ago, I cried this morning when I put this costume on because I was so… I’m going to get an emotional right now just talking about it… I was so happy. I love this character. To me, she was so inspiring because she was so confident. She bared everything because she knew she was hot. She knew she was powerful and people would hit on her and she was like, whatever. I don’t need you. I got myself. That’s all I need and that was so inspiring to me when I was younger. And being able to be her it’s empowering in a way that I just can’t put into words. And I wish, I just wish people understood.
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You can listen to our interview with Angi below!
You can also follow her on social media on Instagram at www.instagram.com/angiviper or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/angiviper
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