#nohayocon

[monstarinmypocket]

From COVEN regarding Ohayocon: 12/13/23 On the evening of December 3rd, COVEN met to discuss the negotiation meeting between CESI (Cultural Exchange Society, Inc., the governing body of Ohayocon) and the Communications Committee, representing COVEN. The meeting was put into recess to count the vote concerning the ratification of the documents presented by the Communications Committee to the body of COVEN, and on December 6th the votes were counted. Of the votes cast, 55.56% voted Nay, and 44.44% voted Yea. Due to the vote, the ratification of the documents failed, and COVEN remains on strike as a result. Those who spoke against ratification cited concern that any agreement made between COVEN and CESI was unable to be made legally binding. This concern stemmed from a history of distrust in CESI due to previous actions taken by them in regards to treatment of past volunteers and general hesitation to return to the show due to that distrust. The major concern with the agreement being legally binding is related to previous statements by CESI members stating that they would not necessarily follow anything in their bylaws that was not legally binding. A further concern is that such negotiations would not be upheld on all levels, up to and including CESI and the Convention Director. It was determined by COVEN members that anything discussed was simply to put an end to the strike to save face, rather than work towards improvement of working conditions. With no promise that any changes agreed to would not be undone after the 2024 show, COVEN members felt that they could not move forward with the current agreement. COVEN has not determined at this time what changes to the agreement can be made to assuage these concerns, and will be working towards determining the next steps in this process. As of posting, the previous strike and boycott is still ongoing. Please continue to stay tuned to COVEN socials as we move forward to determine our next steps.

[shootingstarrae]

Getting personal here:

I never went to anime cons as a teen. Partially because they were expensive, partially because I had no one to go with, but also because it wasn’t “cool”. I was already seen as a weirdo, I didn’t need to make that reputation worse. The reputation anime itself had at the time wasn’t great, but anime cons themselves? Either you were a deviant for going or something bad would happen to you there. At least, that was my impression.

That changed during my freshman year of college, when I went to Tekko. I saw the joy and love for the same things that I enjoyed and it was like nothing I had ever experienced. I wanted more, but something closer to home.

A few years later, my partner and I went to Colossalcon for a day. That was overwhelming, but fun. We went to Colossalcon a couple more years and, while fun, I never really felt like I could be myself. At the time, I didn’t really know to what extent that meant.

In 2016, we went to Ohayocon for a day, mostly because I couldn’t afford to go for a whole weekend. It was different. The panels were unique. When we left, I said to my partner “we should go next year for the whole weekend”. And we did. It was one of the greatest con experiences of my life. We had fun meeting special guests, everyone was really friendly*. In the Artist Alley, I remember lots of queer flag themed art. This wasn’t anything unique - lots of anime cons I had been to at this point had pride art. But this was the first time I remember seeing the ace flag included. I bought my first ace pride sticker at this con. I felt truly seen. I felt like I could authentically be myself. Even if that meant be anxious, be upset. There was space for me.

From that point on, my partner and I would plan to go to Ohayocon every year. And every year was better than the last. It was memories, both inside and outside the con, that we will cherish forever.

Even in 2021, before the vaccines were widely available, Ohayocon was there in a digital form. It wasn’t the exact same, for sure, but it made a cold, isolating weekend in January 2021 a little bit easier.

We haven’t made it since. We’ve really missed it and have thought about going each year. But, due to COVID, those early weeks in January are tricky. Cases are usually up due to holiday travels and, with my asthma, we haven’t felt comfortable enough to go.

So it breaks my heart to say NOhayocon. But now I have learned about the abusive practices that have been used on senior leadership. I have also learned how senior leadership have tried to change this, and so far no changes have been made. I can’t in good conscience go to a con that is hurting people who have spent their unpaid time and energy to make it a special con to me.

If you are going, please consider that there is a boycott going on and most of the senior leadership who made Ohayocon what it was will be gone.

*Except for one person in an Ohayocon staff shirt who I asked a question about where lining up for an autograph session was. She got really rude and aggressive with me and honestly, made me cry. But there was a calm down area that I went to to recompose myself. And that was the worst experience I ever had in all the years that I went.

[monstarinmypocket]

Nohayocon!

With it being Sunday of NOhayocon, and the boycott still standing, I've been watching the fires from afar. I know that con management will try to spin this as a "We're the victim! Feel bad for us! THEY did it to us!" but no one can let that happen. We all have to remember who is responsible for this and why it happened in the first place if we ever want the convention scene to get better for the staff/volunteers. In the mean time, sit back, sip on some cocoa, get cozy, and enjoy watching the fires. I know it's sad, but I also know that something good will rise from the ashes <3

[ramuneicepop]

Dashcon be like "I'll forever be the worst fan convention in history".

Ohayocon be like "Hold my Asahi and watch this!"