Or sex criminals. But they do ban Hispanics. The leading Hispanic science fiction writer – and author of the first Alt★Hero novel – Jon Del Arroz, is banned from attending Worldcon.
Mike Glyer of File 770 saw it coming back on December 22nd. But what did Mike know and how did he know it?
MG: Serious question. Do you have a Worldcon membership?
JDA: Yup, I’ll be there. I don’t believe in taking my ball and going home.
MG: Goodbye Jon.
Worldcon 76 announced the ban yesterday… for intended thoughtcrime!
Worldcon 76 has chosen to reduce Jonathan Del Arroz’s membership status from attending to supporting. He will not be allowed to attend the convention in person. Mr. Del Arroz’s supporting membership preserves his rights to participate in the Hugo Awards nomination and voting process. He was informed earlier today of our decision via email.
We have taken this step because he has made it clear that he fully intends to break our code of conduct. We take that seriously. Worldcon 76 strives to be an inclusive place in fandom, as difficult as that can be, and racist and bullying behavior is not acceptable at our Worldcon. This expulsion is one step towards eliminating such behavior and was not taken lightly. The senior staff and board are in agreement about the decision and it is final.
Kevin Roche is the chair of Worldcon 76 in San Jose. Kevin has been making costumes since he was 8, and continues dressing funny to this day.
Personally, I think it is great that the Funny-Dressing Nazis of Worldcon have taken the important first step of banning this straight male author from attending, and I look forward to seeing them take the obvious next step of banning all men and women who are not sexually dysfunctional, don’t wear Star Trek uniforms, and shower more than once per week, and finally transform Worldcon into the loving, age-equalitarian utopia it is meant to be.
I understand the theme of Worldcon 76 will be “An Homage to Marion Zimmer Bradley” which will feature the announcement of a new award, The Bradley, which will be presented to the science fiction author who has done the most to advance the vital cause of sexual abnormality in the previous year. The trophy will be a bronze statuette of a crying little girl clutching a teddy bear.
Nominees for the 2017 Bradley Award will be announced in April.