Hey Fusion friends. I wanted to take a minute to address something that’s been a huge topic of conversation and contention lately. I’m sharing this because I feel a clear, firm stance is important; but also, I want to reassure many of you about where we are as a convention.
Let me say this in no uncertain terms: For as long as I have the privilege of being the leader of this organization, dedication and commitment to diversity and belonging will always be among our topmost priorities.
We’ve always tried to maintain fidelity to being inclusive to and of everyone and the wide range of differences that can come with that. This is shown in the form of our efforts to improve and expand our accessibility and overall attendee experience, in the mindfulness and intentionality of the people we work with and the things we incorporate into our event, and it can be seen and represented by not just our mascots, but our very own attendees and staff.
And I am so proud of that, all of it. My own pride and ferocity of dedication to these ideals comes from being a part of the Black, Women, LGBTQIA2S+, Neurodivergent, and Disabled communities: We don’t just celebrate these ideas – we live them; we are them.
I can’t speak for the entire future of Anime Fusion, cause that’s not something I or any one person can control. But I can promise you that for as long as I am here, I will never let us be anything less than loudly, proudly, and unwaveringly supportive of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
And I know many of my beautiful staff feel the same. You will always have a home here.
Stay safe. Stay informed. Stay compassionate. Stay weird.
– Damarra