The Ytterbium Eastercon Convention 2019 Good Friday 19th April 2019 Approaches To Gender In Genre Fiction

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The morning and much of the afternoon of the first day of the convention were very quiet. I got to meet lots of friends as they arrived and many of my friends from the Manchester Science Fiction Community settled to a regular circle of chairs in the main real ale bar that would be the main place to relax between picking programme items to go to. I travelled in about 9.30, pausing briefly on my journey to capture the last pub sign I would get all weekend, The Queen’s Head at Cranford, (a great portrait of Queen Elizabeth 1st). The opening ceremony started as late as 3pm, introducing the keynote guests, Frances Hardinge, Sydney Padua, John Scalzi and DC. The first event I actually attended was a panel on Approaches To Gender In Genre Fiction, presented by D Franklin, Elmyra/Milena, Roz Kaveney, and Rachel Hill. The panelists expressed a wish for the overall SF genre to be regarded as ‘speculative fiction’ rather than ‘science fiction’. A core text for the talk was Manda Scott’s acclaimed Boadicea Quartet, beginning with Dreaming The Eagle. The first book builds up a Celtic utopian realm before Roman conquest destroys it around Boudoirs increasingly desperate and ultimately doomed struggle to resist the male dominated tyranny. As with many dystopian Worlds, sex and sexuality are seen as rare pockets of release and freedom from an overall narrative of painful struggle. Some of the panelists were much more concerned for sex to be seen as a utopian joy in itself. It should not be an oasis in a bitter struggle or a prelude to one of the lovers dying tragically or in sacrifice affecting the behavior and feelings of the surviving partner. My question was an expression of concern that while welcoming a celebration of sexuality and all gender identities at the convention as well as in society in general, my feeling is that such talks and panels largely preach to the choir. I feel there is a need to help enlighten the people who sadly champion the oppressors, and more importantly, the impressionable young mins they might corrupt if they reach them first. Some of the panelists felt that many of the more bigoted, closed minds are too far gone for hope or redemption. No doubt talks like this, and books like those by Manda Scott will give many people inspiration, courage and understanding of their genders and respect for diversity too. Helping our friend Alan celebrate his 60th birthday was the next event I went to, with a little room party in his hotel room, bourbon, sweets and cakes too. Many happy returns Alan. Arthur Chappell