Cosplayer Spotlight 6/12/19
Introducing, Cosplayer Spotlight, a way for us to highlight marginalized cosplayers. Each week, we want to give center stage to amazing cosplayers, giving us a chance to see their incredible work and getting to know what they think of the rapidly growing cosplay community.
For the month of June, we want to focus on LGBT+ cosplayers and hear what they have to say!
Dionashi
Dio is a Chinese gay cosplayer based in Boston who has spent the last 10 years making characters come to life. He enjoys murder-mystery games like Ace Attorney and Danganronpa, but also has been really into Dragalia Lost as of late! As for anime, he ranks Puella Magi Madoka Magica at #1. Dio is currently working on making Ozymandias from Fate Grand Order.
What made you get into cosplaying?
“My first convention was Anime Boston when I was 16. I remember there being more cosplayers than people in regular clothing so I felt really out of place! I decided then to try to make a cosplay for the following year and that was how it all started!”
What are your favorite things about the cosplay scene?
“I really love the crafting aspect of cosplay, so when cosplayers come together, share ideas and methods, it really helps build the cosplay community! All my knowledge in sewing, prop making, and all these other skills are from what I learned from other cosplayers and I love to contribute back!”
Now, what are some cons or things that could be better in the community?
“Some people (both inside and outside of the community) are very judgmental on others’ cosplays especially when it comes to people of color cosplaying someone who doesn’t look like them. There are no rules on how someone should cosplay and I think it’s important to remember that.”
How does your experience in the cosplay/con scene differ as someone who is LGBT?
“In my experience, I feel like the cosplay community is very accepting and inclusive overall! I feel very fortunate that I’ve never been discriminated against for being gay in the cosplay/con scene and I am thankful for that, and I hope that is generally the case for many others. Cosplay is for everyone, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, and etc.”
Advice you could give to people wanting to get into cosplaying?
“I know it might seem daunting on where to begin but I always tell people just to pick a cosplay they want to do and go for it. Do research, watch tutorials, and never be afraid to make mistakes because as all cosplayers know, nothing ever goes right 100% when making a cosplay!”
If you’d like to see what Dio is up to and check out his upcoming projects, please go check out his Instagram and Facebook page.
Flowerrwolf
Itzel is a Hispanic genderfluid demisexual cosplayer based in Manchester, New Hampshire who’s preferred pronouns are either she/her or they/them. They’ve been cosplaying for about 6 years, being around media they enjoy like Horizon Zero Dawn and Mob Psycho 100.
What made you get into cosplaying?
Seeing all the amazing cosplayers at my first con (Anime Boston 2012).
What are your favorite things about the cosplay scene?
All of the amazing friends I made, and it also made me more comfortable and confident in my body.
Now, what are some cons or things that could be better in the community?
Photographers/people in general treating poc cosplayers with the same respect as White/Asian cosplayers.
How does your experience in the cosplay/con scene differ as someone who is LGBT?
Personally, I don’t believe it made my con/cosplay experience different. I’ve only been in the con scene for about 2 years (cosplaying for 1) before I discovered my Gender Identity and came out, and I didn’t have the friends I do now. So I never really noticed a difference.
Any upcoming projects/cos-plans that you’re working on?Planning on making Hannah Alexander’s design of Ponyo! I don’t have a deadline so I have no idea when it’s going to get done
Advice you could give to people wanting to get into cosplaying?
Cosplay whoever you want whether your gender, skin color, height, weight, whatever you think won’t match. If that character makes you happy, go for it.
If you’d like to continue seeing what Itzel is up to, you can find them by their cosplay alias ‘Flowerrwolf’ on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
