another comic con in the books
Every year, my stomach clenches. I get the call from Mandy who reminds me that it's a good idea, it keeps me in front of the geeks, and every year I agree and then wonder why I agreed ... until I get there. Until I take the stage, mic in hand, and get the chance to answer questions from fans.
This year, on top of the usual photo op and signing ops, my solo appearance and my appearance with cast members from King's Grove (it's a reunion EVERY YEAR!), I also did this amazing panel on sexual assault and how it is portrayed in media. It was a panel of two women (myself included), one of our wonderful nonbinary actors, and a male actor whose characters have portrayed assault. It was a powerful hour and a half of healing where we just talked about the inroads that have been made and how far we have to go.
I always walk away so glad I came, but the whole process gives me such anxiety leading up to it. I haven't been in anything "geek" related in a while (okay, the Handmaid's Tale cosplayers were amazing) and so it's always weird for me to jump back into that mindset.
But, I was lucky enough to hang out during some of the Star Trek panels and I tell you, it's on my list. The minute something opens up for me in that universe, my soul is racing toward the 24th century.
And now ... I'm back in New York. Three more weeks of filming here. And then back to LA for Taming of the Shrew before picking up season two.
That asshole who assaulted and hurt me. The one who told me to listen to him and keep my mouth shut because without him, I wouldn't work ... every single day I'm in this business, doing stuff like I did this weekend ... hugging women who are survivors and telling it like it is ... every damn fucking day ... I get to go to work and celebrate my stories and get nominated for Emmys (yep, that happened too) and all of it isn't even in spite of him. It's because I'm good at what I do and I work my ass off and I'm the luckiest woman on the goddamned planet.
This year, on top of the usual photo op and signing ops, my solo appearance and my appearance with cast members from King's Grove (it's a reunion EVERY YEAR!), I also did this amazing panel on sexual assault and how it is portrayed in media. It was a panel of two women (myself included), one of our wonderful nonbinary actors, and a male actor whose characters have portrayed assault. It was a powerful hour and a half of healing where we just talked about the inroads that have been made and how far we have to go.
I always walk away so glad I came, but the whole process gives me such anxiety leading up to it. I haven't been in anything "geek" related in a while (okay, the Handmaid's Tale cosplayers were amazing) and so it's always weird for me to jump back into that mindset.
But, I was lucky enough to hang out during some of the Star Trek panels and I tell you, it's on my list. The minute something opens up for me in that universe, my soul is racing toward the 24th century.
And now ... I'm back in New York. Three more weeks of filming here. And then back to LA for Taming of the Shrew before picking up season two.
That asshole who assaulted and hurt me. The one who told me to listen to him and keep my mouth shut because without him, I wouldn't work ... every single day I'm in this business, doing stuff like I did this weekend ... hugging women who are survivors and telling it like it is ... every damn fucking day ... I get to go to work and celebrate my stories and get nominated for Emmys (yep, that happened too) and all of it isn't even in spite of him. It's because I'm good at what I do and I work my ass off and I'm the luckiest woman on the goddamned planet.