SOME INFO ABOUT MYSELF

Being the selected wisdom of a certain writer of adventure picto-books, Gail Simone.

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15 November 12

carolinesavictim asked: Ms Simone, can I ask what you think about able-bodied people using wheelchairs in their cosplay? I really badly want to cosplay Oracle one day, but I don't know if using a wheelchair would be considered offensive or not, (because I don't actually need it.) Thoughts?

Hmm.

Well, I’ve seen this a lot, obviously, with Oracle. But I confess I don’t have an answer. I THINK most people would be fine with it, cosplay is fantasy, right?

But I may be wrong, I have no authority whatsoever to answer.

Can we hear from PWD on this, maybe? Is it cool for able-bodied cosplayers to play characters with disabilities, in your opinion?

I’ve not seen anyone complain but that certainly doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.

  1. singlesynapse said: In my experience, it is a very fine line. There was a point where I could barely walk even with my cane, and I needed help. If someone is using it for a costume, no problem. If they then used that costume as a crutch (so to speak), problem.
  2. roxannameta said: My instinct is that it’s fine for a photoshoot, but at a convention all day it could cause problems. Then again, I’m able-bodied and this is only my instinct speaking.
  3. geekeryandhockey said: Personally (and I say this as an able-bodied Oracle Cosplayer so maybe my opinions aren’t valid) I feel that saying only non-able bodied people can cosplay non-able bodies characters just serves to further other non-able bodied people.
  4. iskios said: It would be ridiculous to say a person without a disability could not play a person with just as it is ridiculous to say that a person with disabilities can’t play able bodied characters.
  5. reservoircat said: I think it might be considered offensive. Plus if you aren’t experienced with a chair, you might actually end up hurting yourself. My rec is against it.
  6. dogunderwater said: “Crip drag” is a pretty contentious topic in and out of the disabled community, but I probably wouldn’t do it (I use a cane, as reference).
  7. ealperin said: It varies on the person, I guess. I, personally, would feel uneasy if I were to cosplay a character WD, because of the issues surrounding it. Example: I can get up from the chair/device and walk, where many, in my situation, can’t.
  8. since1938 said: Perhaps she should ask the disabled community?
  9. princessxenia said: I have thought this on MANY the occasion since I have always wanted to make Oracle too. I don’t want to offend anyone, but then again in this world you can’t do ANYTHING without offending SOMEBODY.
  10. alwaysameiko said: A friend borrowed my husband’s spare chair to be professor x once. Hubby had no problem with it but someone at the con gave him grief about it. I think it varies.
  11. athenaltena said: I’d be interested in what people say too, since I’ve thought about that on occasion. I know I wouldn’t feel comfortable portraying a character who was disabled since I’m able bodied, but I can’t speak for other people.
  12. gailsimone posted this
Themed by Hunson. Originally by Josh