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Here's the response to my email.
13 years ago
you've got your good things
Remember when I mentioned my interest in starting a panel on safe sex awareness? Here it is.
"To those respectfully addressed:
Hi, my name is Kenneth, but my furry name is actually Travis. I have been attending FWA since 2006 and I have had a blast every year, mainly because folks in the furry fandom are some of the most expressive and artistic individuals I have ever met! However, with all of the parties and binge drinking that goes on at cons, con attendees are putting themselves at risk for having unsafe sex. Furries, like any other kind of artistic subculture, are sexually expressive; however, and I can speak for my own generation especially, many are also uninformed about protecting themselves from the risk of contracting STIs/STDs.
With that said, I would like to propose a panel event to be scheduled at next year's FWA to promote Safe Sex Awareness. At my university, I regularly hold safe sex and sexual identity seminars when working with the LGBTQ Committee, so I have local resources to rely upon for condom access. In this panel, I would be informing the attendees about the risks of STIs, possibly with a powerpoint that contains vital information regarding each major infection. Similarly, I would be handing out custom-made pamphlets with furry art and bags of condoms (both male and female) to the attendees of said panel. I have spoken with other pals of mine about this idea and it's a possibility that two other people would be holding this panel with me to assist with the powerpoint and answering questions. If possible, I would also like to hold a demonstration (with a banana or something of course) on how to properly situate a condom.
I have questions, though: I have been informed that FWA is a "PG-13" convention, but there are con attendees sometimes running around in fetish gear and latex. That grounding wouldn't prevent me from holding a panel oriented towards safe sex awareness, would it? Similarly, what rules and regulations apply to a panel of this nature? Would the panel be considered a "safe space" for those who are willing to talk about their personal experiences? Should attendees be required to sign a waiver as a safety measure for privacy? Also, if allowed, could this panel be held during a time slot where more people would be able to attend?
I anticipate your response(s), sincerely,
kp"
And here's their pitiful (but I suppose professional?) response:
"Hi Kenneth,
Thank you for getting in touch with us.
I appreciate your interest in helping to spread awareness about safe sex practices, however, it is the policy of FWA to limit any adult-topic panels to things that directly relate to the furry fandom, such as adult fiction or art.
Regards,
-Hux
Director of Programming
Furry Weekend Atlanta"
Welp, that's a pain in the ass.
"To those respectfully addressed:
Hi, my name is Kenneth, but my furry name is actually Travis. I have been attending FWA since 2006 and I have had a blast every year, mainly because folks in the furry fandom are some of the most expressive and artistic individuals I have ever met! However, with all of the parties and binge drinking that goes on at cons, con attendees are putting themselves at risk for having unsafe sex. Furries, like any other kind of artistic subculture, are sexually expressive; however, and I can speak for my own generation especially, many are also uninformed about protecting themselves from the risk of contracting STIs/STDs.
With that said, I would like to propose a panel event to be scheduled at next year's FWA to promote Safe Sex Awareness. At my university, I regularly hold safe sex and sexual identity seminars when working with the LGBTQ Committee, so I have local resources to rely upon for condom access. In this panel, I would be informing the attendees about the risks of STIs, possibly with a powerpoint that contains vital information regarding each major infection. Similarly, I would be handing out custom-made pamphlets with furry art and bags of condoms (both male and female) to the attendees of said panel. I have spoken with other pals of mine about this idea and it's a possibility that two other people would be holding this panel with me to assist with the powerpoint and answering questions. If possible, I would also like to hold a demonstration (with a banana or something of course) on how to properly situate a condom.
I have questions, though: I have been informed that FWA is a "PG-13" convention, but there are con attendees sometimes running around in fetish gear and latex. That grounding wouldn't prevent me from holding a panel oriented towards safe sex awareness, would it? Similarly, what rules and regulations apply to a panel of this nature? Would the panel be considered a "safe space" for those who are willing to talk about their personal experiences? Should attendees be required to sign a waiver as a safety measure for privacy? Also, if allowed, could this panel be held during a time slot where more people would be able to attend?
I anticipate your response(s), sincerely,
kp"
And here's their pitiful (but I suppose professional?) response:
"Hi Kenneth,
Thank you for getting in touch with us.
I appreciate your interest in helping to spread awareness about safe sex practices, however, it is the policy of FWA to limit any adult-topic panels to things that directly relate to the furry fandom, such as adult fiction or art.
Regards,
-Hux
Director of Programming
Furry Weekend Atlanta"
Welp, that's a pain in the ass.
A panel has the opportunity to be such a great resource and I think you would be able to present the information in a very effective manner. You would think safety and education would be a top concern and requirement- especially if other sex/sexuality/etc based panels are occurring.
Here was my response:
"Hux,
Thanks for your response.
To be fair, the offer is still there if you folks decide to take interest. I have all the tools, resources, and information available on-hand to teach a course on safe sex and ways to avoid transmitting HIV from one partner to another, a risk that, as I have been informed by attendees, had reared its head at a convention late last year. I was looking over the FWA website and I am not sure if you folks have your policy and regulations for holding panels posted online. If you don't mind me asking, is it available for public access?
I should also mention that attendees of this year's FWA (friends, colleagues, and acquaintances of mine) have expressed interest in a panel of this nature to be held at next year's convention, but I digress. As I mentioned previously, the offer is still there and I would be more than willing to take charge if you change your mind.
Regards,
kp"
Though I do agree that regardless of their official stance, materials such as condoms and lube should be widely and freely available to patrons who so choose as to participate in sexual acts. Perhaps not in an up-front or flashy manner, but one where it is still accessible with relative ease.
They allow stuff that is clearly fetish gear, adult furry art, but the neglect to remember that the subculture in and of itself is comprised of -humans-. Some of them go to cons to engage in sex. Why not provide them with the proper tools to make things safe? This kind of rubs me the wrong way. :|
Sooooooooooooooo is sex NOT related to the fandom? If they're claiming THAT, that's definitely the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Furries fuck, all the time everywhere, a HUGE part of the fandom is based around sex. I think this would be a KILLER panel for a con, especially if you give out condoms!
Maybe ask if you include quick talks about fetish safety, it would be considered more "directly related"? : /