This was years ago, but I was working for a small anime company selling merch, at con on the east coast. One of my friends was at the same con and did cosplay as Naga the White Serpent from Slayers. My friend had just gotten her first degree in black belt in Aikido if I remember right (this was in the middle 90's but I wanted to give you idea this is has been a problem for some time and how sad it makes me that it still is a problem) the outfit was very well done, and the cape was done in a way that she could pull it hide what she wanted to. She told me the day she put it on and went out she wasn't worried that everything was going to fun and cool. I should add a few points this a woman was very self reliant and could more than handle anything life threw at her. So what happen and her reactions were more than shock.
However sadly about an hour into her walking around the con she came to Merch room and asked almost in tears (remember black belt here) if I could get off working the merch table and walk around with her. it was a family ran company and the woman that ran it more than understood and let me. I am 6'5" and 300+ in back then much better shape. She didn't have any more problems, but she shouldn't needed to have someone that could have been "on the brute squad" with her to enjoy a con. She told me how guys would actually not only come up rub on her but try to move the cape to take pics from the back. They would tell her things that I won't repeat here save the worst one. She told me one guy came up to her and said "is that leather." and it was a leather bikini and he said "oh baby I would love to stain it white for you" then he laugh. yah, it was those kind of things (it's sad that I do remember all those hurtful things that was said to my friend)
This was before everyone had a cell phone camera or video camera as small as my palm so I can ONLY image how much worst it now. I had hoped that we had as con goes had grown up. This isn't about men or women it is about being respectful to people who enjoy crafting beautiful custom outfits of characters they love. They want you to enjoy it with them but respectfully.
I wish my tale ended happily. she keep going to cons but she stop cosplaying. that one time broke her heart. So to those that have this happen please don't let it break yours there are many MANY good people; men and women that are respectful of what you do, embrace what they do, how they treat you and I hope with this campaign we can shine a light on those bad apples and point them out and show what they are doing is wrong and shame them into either reforming or stopping or stop coming to cons because these should be a place were nerds and geeks can love each other in respectful ways.
well that is all I got to say.and though it didn't happen to me personal it effected me personally because of how it hurt my friend so deeply.