WE GOT STALKED AT AN ANIME CONVENTION... | COAF 2024 Cosplay Vlog

[@SquareOneCosplay]

Thank you for all the comments and support, your experiences (while sad and shouldn’t have happened) make us feel a lot less alone! It took bravery to post this. I’m also really glad this helped some of you to see how this can go down. Let’s keep our spaces safe together! -Stan

[@itzrachei]

hope you guys are okay and pls stay safe, very sorry for yall what happened 🫶🏻🙏🏻

[@AdrienBensoncosplays]

U guys need a big hug ❤❤❤

[@tiffanydelrose4131]

I hope you guys will have a better experience at the next con. Sending lots of love and hugs 🫂♥️💕❤️💖

[@Bright23378]

I love tue cosplay of Roxanne and Chica I hope you both are OK from that experience

[@ellyneil8219]

As someone from Colorado (moved here when I was 13.) I would like to apologize on behalf of the entire state. I am so sorry this happened to you. Nothing excused that guys behavior and I know Colorado as a state has a huge problem with people acting like this. I hope it will get better but, with Colorado being a state of high highs and ignored and avoided lows I doubt that. Again, so so sorry. You both looked amazing in you cosplays. And, you have a new subscriber as your channel looks interesting. 💖

[@poly-phonica]

Oof, yeah the con staff dropped the ball on that one. Developmentally delayed doesn’t mean “harmless.” Mature enough to know what OF is, mature enough to learn consent. I’m so sorry that you were expected to essentially soothe YOUR harasser. I’m sure he was mostly mad because he got caught.

[@SquareOneCosplay]

This is so well worded. Thank you for the thoughtful comment!

[@CherriWhitewing]

I second this. I was in college with an autistic guy who s*xually harassed me and female friends. We showed him kindness once because he seemed to be isolating himself from the class, and he took this as permission to, amongst many things: -Show us female domination p*rn with "twinks" that was actually sh*tacon h*ntai. -Talk to us in detail about his s*xuality and s*x life. -Made weapons in shop class ((we were in fine arts for context and did woodcarving as part of the curriculum)) and make "jokes" about pulling his SHARPENED WOODEN BLADES on us from behind while we were working machinery -Related to the above, pulled that on me and startled me so hard that the piece I was sanding on an INDUSTRIAL BELT SANDER that it slipped from my hand and I almost completely sanded off one of my nail on it -ON TOP OF THAT while the teacher started to treat my injury because I was in shock, he kept hovering around me saying how "the sight and smell of blood was awakening his vampiric insticts" and the teacher had to not so kindly tell him to fuck off and stop pulling that shit I could list other things about him, but this paints the picture pretty well. When we tried to complain about his behaviour to the school staff outside of our teachers they told us "well he's autistic, he doesn't mean any harm". Like, as someone who is also on the spectrum I understand that some people struggle more than others to get some social clues but seeing you experience and thinking about mine... There's a fucking limit. The worst part is that he's a semi-successful Jack Sparrow cosplayer in the Montreal are where we live and I get to see him at our local con. It's made my anxiety spike so bad at times that I had to stop going to it because I'm actually afraid that he'd recognize me. It's not like he's forgotten about me either, because when a friend mention me to him a few years back while talking cosplayers with him he went "Oh yeah, the fat chick" which is like... yikes my dude. Yes I'm a plus sized gal but geez, nice to know that's all you remember from me after two years of toleranting your antics before I dropped out. ((To unrelated reasons, but he certainly didn't help those))

[@janfkarel92]

Like I don’t understand from what does this dude get a meltdown?

[@lil_mis_smiles]

@@janfkarel92 He's having a Meltdown because he's not getting what he wants. He ask the Roxy cosplayer if she had a onlyfans, and kept moving his camera towards her boob window He is sexually attracted to the cosplayer more than the Chica one given he seems to go after her more for pics base on the video. OnlyFan is often used for NSFW content, an how he moves his camera. He most likely wanted something from the poor Roxy Cosplayer in a gross way

[@Sylveon1.0]

@@lil_mis_smilesand people wonder why I have haphaphobia Cause I’m scared people will try touch me inappropriately

[@teslatang4941]

I’m ND/autistic and I HATE that some ND males will use their ND/autism as an excuse to act creepy and push boundaries. Don’t be soft with them: 1. It’s not at all inherent/unhelpable to autism/neurodiversity to be a creep (hate that they tarnish our reputation like that) 2. They either know what they’re doing and deserve calling out, or calling them out will be a concrete way for them to learn. So many of us autistics work so hard to learn cues and be extra considerate of people’s boundaries, these guys DISGUST me. No kid gloves for these creeps.

[@bakaichigo]

Exactly! So much more concisely put than how I tried to say it, kudos! :)

[@theresidentialrat]

yup! totally agree! there was this autistic guy in my high school that was obsessed with one of my friends, borderline stalkerish; to a point where it made her uncomfortable. the TEACHERS did jack shit

[@TheBuzzard42]

Hope it's not a bother to ask, but what's ND? Sorry, I'm not well-versed in this sort of subject. I tried looking it up and it told me "North Dakota", which I'm nearly certain isn't relevant to this topic.

[@lapandablasee]

​@@TheBuzzard42 It's the short term for Neurodivergent !

[@TheBuzzard42]

@@lapandablasee Oh, okay! Hey, thanks a lot for helping me out! I appreciate it!

[@marsmellon]

What people (staff) don't realize is that stalking is harrassing. not leaving you alone is harrassing. simple as that. you noticed it and he got frustrated because he got caught.

[@iGame3D]

He was already frustrated because he wanted to be able to talk to them but couldn't...even when he tried he could only lie and say weird things that made them nervous and this is literally his whole life, online, offline, in private, in public. Being born completely broken is 24/7 frustration.

[@leihamada4672]

Active security guard here and want you to know this actually helped me. I pride myself on having preplan for if X scenario happens do Y. But never had a plan for stalkers. Talked to my team and we now have a plan in ink to keep our guest safer.

[@aelmaest9172]

Thank you and your team for making an effort to help others. We need more of this in the world

[@crayonzii]

I would love to hear an advice on how to deal with stalkers at cons

[@discountaesthetic7165]

What con do you work at?

[@imachikenlol6820]

You're an absolute saint. Love your work ❤

[@eviejameson4706]

Bless you!

[@Valorant_minty]

I’ve also been stalked at a con. I became a “con mom” to kids who were being harassed by GROWN MEN. I do not appreciate that people think they can just DO THAT. Ppl like that guy need to be treated like they should, immediately expelled from a convention and blacklisted.

[@theresidentialrat]

you’re a great person helping out kiddos with creeps!

[@Reiiven]

We love a con mom

[@wakawaka666]

lolicons thinking they can thirst over kids because "they're fictional kids anyways"

[@Niclouyat]

Good person for looking out for our little ones thankyou

[@coryrain]

Con moms unite. Been doing this for about ten years now. My creep meter has gotten really good. I have to intervene at least once every convention. It sucks, but the more it's talked about the better the awareness is!

[@kovtunfiles]

respectfully, when we’re put in these positions, we panic. we all have a fight, flight or freeze response. your response in this situation was to remain calm and gentle, even though he was becoming a prominent threat. i strongly believe this is because you were anxious about putting yourself, or your partner, in danger. even if this thought was subconscious. you also weren’t entirely sure if he WAS being weird, as for a while, you were somewhat in denial. you kept the peace, and you did the right thing. we all wish we were tougher or stood up for ourselves better later on, but truthfully, i think what you did was the right decision in that moment. i’m so proud of ya’lls bravery too, even going as far as confronting him (politely), which not many of us are comfortable doing anyway. girl power xx love you !!

[@SquareOneCosplay]

This is so nice thank you 😭

[@THESQUAD4LIFE7]

The audacity the stalker has is crazy….also who starts a conversation with that 😭

[@Ruby...X]

Right like, keep it to yourself bro i don't wanna hear it

[@THESQUAD4LIFE7]

@@Ruby...X exactly!!

[@doracosta1760]

Fr tho, if he just asked directly or in a more smooth way like "do you have any socials?" It would've been a bit less weird but That guy was very weird..

[@MeganHeartIsAmazing]

OF assumption like that might be an insane way to start a convo but the numbers back it up. 3% of every woman you know aged 18-40 is on OF. Tristan is a 1% er or less so it's sadly going to be assumed she has an OF because of every 100 women 3 of them are on OF and Tristan is more attractive than 99-100 of them on average, it's just math and the numbers don't lie.

[@novaii2724]

​@@MeganHeartIsAmazing Statistics about male killers are also high but it's not like people go up to random males and ask if they're murderers. Whoever asks something like that has either no shame or a poor construct of social norms.

[@malory6312]

I got stalked once and walked straight to the security. I stayed in areas only security would be and even asked if I could buy pepper spray (got denied). Eventually I found some people dressed as Survey Corps members and asked if I could hang out with them. One guy picked up the cues right away and even pretended to be my boyfriend. I haven't been back to a con since.

[@Moonlit50899]

That guy is so sweet. I hope one day cons can be more safe...

[@Alexlcious_]

That guy was so nice pretending to be your boyfriend to help you out. On God, I hope that conventions can get safer one day.

[@Yue_mariin00]

I'm so sorry the joy of going to conventions was taken from you 🫂 You did not deserve that at all, I'm so sorry it happened. I hope that you can heal from that and that if you decide to attend a con again that is is full of only happiness and fun memories for you 🫂💜

[@katylepetsos7512]

This is why I don’t go to cons by myself, I always go with my dad cus he would knock someone out if they tried any shit with me (also he helps me with my cosplays and he enjoys people’s reactions to seeing them). But I don’t wanna imagine what being stalked at one is like.

[@AngeliqueNade]

Kudos to that one big sweetie that played pretend for you to help out.

[@fern69666]

Never be afraid to call people out on their bs, remember to breathe. Its ALWAYS okay to SAY NO. Good people understand

[@Axxidous]

Bad people don't. So sometimes it's actually dangerous. Use judgement in case by case situations.

[@CenerothXaris]

@@Axxidous It's sad that I have to agree and especially with the Roxy cosplay you'll have people be like "What did you expect?". It's why I always recommend women to seek out other women first because the odds of receiving blame is much lower.

[@Dr.Despair_]

It's unfortunately not the first time there's a stalker incident at COAF... I hope the staff improves on this situation

[@SquareOneCosplay]

I feel like with the layout it’s really easy to be followed and not be able to get rid of the person. Combined with the staff’s bizarre response I’m not surprised

[@Dr.Despair_]

@@SquareOneCosplay you're not wrong.... I was stalked last year at COAF last year, so I got scared thinking it was the same person for you two. I was followed and he took pics of me all 3 days. The only thing that kept me safe was creating a safe word around friends In case anything happens. I'm glad you guys are ok tho!

[@findus6528]

@@SquareOneCosplayobviously they should be trained in that but honestly i feel like this is on a personal level. who tf would think to suggest that the victim and the stalker should go and interact again? wtf did he tell them ??

[@Tired_Isabella]

@@SquareOneCosplayhey I have a question are you going to sunnycon? And if yes who? I would really like to meet you in person I will be in a sailor Jupiter cosplay

[@dailealexander2055]

Same here. Cons need to start seriously cracking down on this type of behavior & making it abundantly clear that it will NOT be tolerated.

[@KrisBlade64]

The fact that they took autism as an excuse to justify the stalk is definitely a very vomitive move. Stalkers are no joke, specially in coventions. If that stalker secretly thought cosplay = consent, then he has a problem way huger than what it already just happened.

[@prof.korviak3023]

i imagine that’s why it tends to be part of the rules that cosplay isn’t consent. been going to a con yearly for my birthday and it’s one of the main rules of etiquette

[@cptsteele91]

Tough situation for the con staff, cancelled if you do, cancelled if you don't 😂

[@char_lattesnk1352]

As someone with autism, it disgusts me. Autism is not an excuse to stalk someone.

[@c.b.h1151]

The victims are never protected these days. People too scared to get cancelled.

[@BigSister30]

It feels unfair to me that people use autism as an excuse to be an asshole or a pervert. Like, it's true that every autistic person has a different way to be, but mostly we are respectful about personal space (because we want our ps to be respected) and ask before getting closer. I dont remember any day i went to a stranger and hugged him without asking before if i could hug him (personally, i mostly try to evade physical contact). Like it is said, "treat other like you want them to treat you".

[@kordeliiius9821]

The wig and eyebrows you did for the Roxy cosplay are INCREDIBLE. I’m obsessed

[@kordeliiius9821]

AND YOU GUYS’ NAILS AAAAAAHH

[@Elvyne]

Agreed. The wig was so impressive, I just couldn't stop looking at it for the entire vlog. Man, how much I'd love to cosplay one day

[@Hirovard]

agreed, they look amazing. both of them have fantastic cosplays

[@Trissydoesart]

I'm 25 and I've been going to Cons for 13 years now. If I could tell younger me anything, it would be the advice you gave at the end; "Do not be polite to men that creep you out".

[@DransPokeCorner]

Same goes for guys stalking guys trust me- a lot less common but just as creepy

[@highlivin1917]

Definitely good advice for BOTH sides of that coin. The amount of times my crotch has been grabbed by drunk woman is fuckin wild. Men aren’t the only creeps out there.

[@Cacowninja]

@@DransPokeCorner Well nobody should be stalking anyone no matter what the gender of the stalker and the victim.

[@DransPokeCorner]

@@Cacowninja obviously.

[@marmalade8915]

Just outright ignore ANYONE who makes you uncomfortable

[@StinkyLizardBurrito]

I love the dismissive "wooooow" and "thats crazy" when he talks to you, you can literally hear how much you don't want to talk to him but he doesn't stop ;.;

[@StinkyLizardBurrito]

Also side note both of your cosplays are phenomenal!

[@CoCoMeLoN_12345]

He’s also autistic and he probably couldn’t understand the social cues but it doesn’t make what he did was okay

[@sisterfister7891]

_That's a form of Autism, yea._

[@c.b.h1151]

A lot of guys like this are like this. The bad ones, anyway. The good ones get the social clues immediately.

[@Bung22]

@@c.b.h1151yea many of them will purposely ignore the hints too just because they don’t respect you

[@MordecaiHeller1010]

I was cosplaying as springtrap out in the same con you were at, but while i was walking around, this random person followed me for a WHILE, so i deadass turned around and barked at their ass. It got them off my tail and i laughed the rest of the time.

[@ReptilianTeaDrinker]

Mad respect to you.

[@JecjecKoolitKidsChannel]

Nice job!

[@lilacangelblue2404]

How does one bark, in a way that is less "hehe bark bark" and more "I WILL GIVE YOU RABIES IF YOU DONT BACK TF OFF". asking for a friend 🥲👉👈

[@aaron-gz]

​@@lilacangelblue2404is like saying "wow" but also give out a quick chest puff of air

[@yinanaaaa]

LMFAO

[@limbstowings]

Hi!! I'm the Maomao with the stickers at 06:26!! It was so nice meeting you!! Thank you both for being so sweet and also for including me in the vlog, it's such an honor!! I am also so so sorry that this happened to you and I'm glad you guys ended up okay, but that's still so scary!! Please stay safe!!

[@peckneckanimations]

Omg you seemed so friendly and your cosplay was so cute!!!

[@limbstowings]

@@peckneckanimations Aww!! That’s so sweet of you!! Thank you so so much! :)

[@Ch1y0U5Channel]

That was you?! AHHH, that’s so cute! I LOVE your cosplay :D

[@Yue_mariin00]

That was soo cute and nice of you to hand out stickers to people :')💗 You're so sweet!!

[@limbstowings]

@@Ch1y0U5Channel THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!!

[@Sailor_Mercury45]

I’m autistic and I’ve always felt like I was being ableist when I was uncomfortable with a neurodivergent persons actions. I felt icky, like I wasn’t being fair to them. That maybe they don’t understand that acting like that is weird, or maybe they are so happy that’s just what their body does. But this video helped me realize I do genuinely need to stand up for myself more. I’m a freshman in Highschool, and there is a Senior at my school who stalks me and my freshman friends. He is very neurodivergent and has extreme anger issues (ones that trigger my PTSD from someone else I grew up around who quite literally acts THE EXACT SAME.) this Senior, openly talks about his f3t1sh3s to quite literally EVERYONE and he’s even gotten electronics taken away from him because his parents are worried about him. He has a younger brother that goes to our school (also a freshman) who explained this to us and apologized for his behavior. I always felt bad about being uncomfortable around the Senior, he was nice and he enjoyed the same things as me but he felt icky. Over the year we have learned a few things about him, he actively refuses to respect boundaries (he talked about triggering topics CONSTANTLY around my friend who physically yelled at him to stop, but he never did), he follows me around everyday (thankfully I don’t see him much because we aren’t in the same classes this semester), and finally, HE FOLLOWED A GIRL HOME FROM SCHOOL A FEW YEARS BACK. The cool seniors I hang out with make it CLEAR to NEVER go around him and they protect me. Sorry for the ramble, but all of this is to say it doesn’t matter if someone is autistic or not. Autistic people can struggle with social cues, but autistic people also need to LEARN social cues in order to have a healthy, safe, and fun time around others.

[@SquareOneCosplay]

100% why I really hammered the lies he told down hard. We have a hard time knowing what’s going on in the other person’s head, and give them a pass, but they DO know what they’re doing. It’s so incredibly important to see it spelt out clearly.

[@Sailor_Mercury45]

@@SquareOneCosplay exactly! And thank you so much for doing that because it really reassures me with my situation. I had multiple discussions with the Senior, about how he scares me and makes me uncomfortable, so I know for a fact he knows what he’s doing. But he hasn’t really *stopped* only “slowed down” this video really helps me remember that I’m not in the wrong for being uncomfy. So I thank you for that :)

[@karolinedemon]

Yeah like i never want to be extra rude on purpose and i try to ignore if someone is just cringy or annoying but i met some people that were genuinely bothering and it seems like they are unable to realize that and i think that adressing the issue could be helpful to make them more aware. I do think that neurodivergent people should be looked after and have space for themselves so they dont have to mask but it shouldnt be an excuse to be annoying and you know what type of annoy8ng im talking abt. Like you said talking about fetishes, weapons or watching concerning stuff in first seat in class that all other classmates can see... its like you should be taught that this concerns others.

[@Acorn905]

I relate, I'm autistic too and I think all autistic people deserve respect and kindness but it is important to say what bothers you and for others to try and be respectful. I am very emphatic and kind of sensible to confrontation tho so i kind of hold my breath when I point out the things that bother me 😅

[@Sailor_Mercury45]

@@Acorn905 same! I do wish people would point out things that are making them uncomfy and stuff tho, so I can try to do better!

[@thisissparta789789]

The stalker: Hey, do you guys have an OF? “Who the fuck starts a conversation like that? I just sat down!”

[@ThatHawksSimp]

“He seems like he could be developmentally delayed” was the excuse used by everyone I talked to about a fellow uni student who SA’d me. Only mildly, but SA is SA. I tried to say that “if he doesn’t understand when someone is saying “STOP touching and kissing me like that, I don’t like it and you’re making me uncomfortable”” whilst he is being PUSHED AWAY then he is DANGEROUS and he needs to be supervised 24/7. I am also neurodivergent, yet I know when someone says “stop” “please leave me alone” “you’re making me uncomfortable” means exactly that. STOP. I could not have been clearer that I wanted him to stop. He was wilfully ignoring me, and still had the nerve to message me a couple hours after. He faced no consequences for his actions because I was too scared to have a one-on-one mediated talk with him, and I was dissuaded from making a formal uni complaint that would involve the police, because I was told that would be “very harsh for him”. He remained in uni. He remained in the uni’s anime club even after I told the club leader. The uni provided me no alternative. They wouldn’t even have a member of staff talk to him about how wildly inappropriate and traumatising his actions were.

[@crayonzii]

This is sad, I’m sorry. The guy who harassed me in college (touched my private parts several times) wasn’t ND but he also got no consequences, people were ‘too uncomfortable to bring it up’ and theyd rather not talk about it. I was already ashamed but adult’s and classmates’ reactions made it even worse.

[@NaeniaNightingale]

So people going to uni are not allowed to go to the police themselves and report it? Ohhh wow, what a weird country you live in. Where I live even children can go and report someone.

[@dailealexander2055]

Oh my god, that is absolutely HORRIFIC. I'm so incredibly sorry this happened to you. It's something that should never happen to anyone, ever. Being developmentally delayed &/or on the autism spectrum is no excuse whatsoever for straight-up MOLESTING a person. There's no excuse for that behavior, PERIOD. End of story. I agree with you completely -- if someone genuinely can't understand very clearly-stated boundaries, then that person has absolutely no business being out in public around other people unsupervised. It's so infuriating that your uni refused to take any action after he sexually assaulted you, simply because he was neurodivergent & the experience would be "harsh" for him. So fucking what?!! Who cares if it's harsh for him?! HE ASSAULTED YOU!!! How dare they downplay the seriousness of that just because the dude who did it is on the spectrum?!! He needs to learn that his actions have very real & serious consequences, or else he's just going to continue doing this to women his entire life. I would have filed the police report anyway.

[@andreakulp1423]

Why is there a pattern of people not believing/taking the victim seriously? That happened to me as well where when I told my mom her ex boyfriend Bret tried to shove his hands up my bra to touch my breasts (when I was 11) she just said “your exaggerating how bad it was” excuse me? YOUR ex boyfriend tried (and successfully) touched your underage daughters chest (my body was maturing at that time since Mother Nature decided it was a good idea to give a nine year old a period), I didn’t tell my mom for a while but when I told my friends what happened they told me “oh come on, that wasn’t even sexual assault 🙄” (yes, they rolled their eyes) the amount of times I realized my insecurity with my own body was because people were sexualizing it, two things my aunt has said to me: “why do you keep covering your body in baggy clothes? No boy will want to date you if you wear baggy clothes” basically saying that if I don’t wear tighter clothes no boy will want to date me (but jokes on her, I’m pansexual with a slight preference for girls and a slight fear of men) and “if you want to have sex with your crush I’ll get you on birth control before you asked” woman, I was 13, I’m also Polarsexual (Polarsexual is an abrosexual term on the Asexual Spectrum for people who switch between strongly feeling sexual attraction to being completely asexual and/or sex repulsed, with no in between state. It stands for a person who switches between hypersexual and asexual.) I’ve become more confident in my own body again, but I still have a slight-mild fear of men

[@JustAnzia]

there is a well known creep in my local con scene, he was banned from a smaller con, but not the big ones because "he is autistic and does not understand boundaries" my autistic ass is quite fucking disappointed in those events. multiple people I know have been stalked by him, I hate that its used as an excuse that he is autistic...

[@Official.NoahistiredYT]

The striker "why does it have to be s3x thing" made me chuckle, but I'm so sorry you went through this.

[@RebeccaRyan-ss4ge]

Same lol

[@messy5449]

As a female autistic literally no one clocks male autistics on their predatory behavior towards us cus we get called internally ableist. So glad u made this video sharing your experience!

[@theonegoldengryphon]

Funny how women with autism can manage to not stalk people but autistic men “just can’t understand what he’s doing, why are you being so meann to him”. Barf

[@rylie4783]

"He's right behind you" like a damn horror movie bro omggg. This is so bad. Glad you're both safe. Also, your cosplays were so freaking good!!!!

[@rriissax]

“He’s right behind me isn’t me” ahh situation 😭 (ok real note tho im glad there safe too that’s really scary)

[@barngoth5910]

If a stalker is going to use slight social cues to hint at asking for of links, I'd use the same nd card to be overly direct. "Why are you talking about this to me? What are you asking me for? Why are you following us around?" If autism is an excuse to be creepy, then I can use mine as an excuse to be overly direct and come off as "rude." I'm sorry you had to deal with this. It's such a fine line to navigate and scary to deal with people CLEARLY stepping over boundaries.

[@AngelDelight69]

I wouldn't be surprised if the cosplayer he was speaking about didn't give him any links. He's very clearly trying some level of manipulation with them. She gave her links so should you. He's trying to give them the fear of missing out, but doesn't understand that they want nothing to do with that.

[@artthounasty5877]

@@AngelDelight69 I mean the cosplayer might not have even existed to begin with...

[@AngelDelight69]

@@artthounasty5877 I'm an autistic boy, and the fact he's trying to sugar-coat his actions and blaming it on his challenged self just disgusts me. I may be autistic, but I don't go around stalking women and men I know thats wrong and I'm pretty certain he knew he was wrong too.

[@artthounasty5877]

@@AngelDelight69 I'm not sure what you're getting to, but I'm not trying to defend him. I'm saying not only is he likely lying about the links, there's a good chance that he made up the cosplayer he supposedly got them from too. Based on the amount of excuses and his body language in the situations, he most definitely knew what he was doing wasn't okay, and using autism as an excuse for it is not cool.

[@AngelDelight69]

@@artthounasty5877 I know you're not defending him ^^ I just added that as an extra

[@paganotaku7189]

Con Mom here ~ You said it right at the end, and it bears repeating ~ Don't be nice to the creepers. Girls are often raised to become women that accommodate men, even when their alarm bells are going off. While avoidance might work, don't be afraid to get help from other people around you. You'd be amazed at how fast other cosplayers will band together to drive off a creep. Never hesitate to reach out.

[@SpinfoilHat]

i can't believe staff pulled a "it's going to keep happening" card on you because of a (barely tbh) skimpy cosplay, I swear I would deadpan ask "are you saying you LET this happen often???" because that is such a bizarre thing for a staff member to say in that situation Edit: It's been three months. You current/former security guards can stop calling me entitled and saying I have never struggled because I said I would stick my neck out for someone else. I haven't worked in three years because of a work injury, I have been homeless in the past, and I have been in multiple life threatening situations. I know struggle, I know what it's like to lose everything. Not that any of this should matter, I was never here to flaunt that but I'm getting tired of the broken "entitlement" meters going off over what is basic human decency to my eyes, especially the people so then start to flaunt their own lives when I said I have nothing to my name at the moment. Edit 2 electric boogaloo: Like I said below in the comments, this is really feeling like a tumblr "I like waffles" and the salt mines are coming out of the woodwork saying "So you hate pancakes? How dare you!" kind of situation and it's really exhausting getting random messages from people who are Like That after I have long since forgotten about this comment. I'm really fed up with you idiots trying to defend the behavior in the video by repeatedly attempting to tear me down in the comments. Please, touch grass before you come and complain at me like this.

[@Ghost-Song7714]

Honestly that’s excellent response to a security guard like that. “So are you telling me that youre going to let this keep happening? You have the power to stop it by kicking him out or making him face repercussions, so are you admitting that you’re not gonna do your job? If that’s the case, then I think a report about this incident might be in order.”

[@dannyg.4421]

Not defending the security, I'm a security guard and I use something good called common sense amd my professional discretion but the reason the security is most likely not do anything is because they simply because they are unable to do something. We have strict post orders and If you mess up you could be fired, sued by the client and even arrest. We have less power than you think especially unarmed guards and everything I said is double for events because it's most likely just a short gig, that means less clear instructions and alot of inexperienced guards that dont have a permanent site of their own. ​@Ghost-Song7714

[@dannyg.4421]

I'll give you an example. One of my colleagues saw a student of ours ask her ex-boyfriend to leave her car so she could go home. My co-worker who saw it tried to reason with the guy, and when that didn't work he grabbed the man and pulled him out. He was later told we are just allowed to use neutral force, not excessive. He was fired and almost got sued. Our main objective is to conflict resolutions and reporting to the police. Some states have better protections for guards but in most states we have even less power to do anything than the average pedestrian because we have to act in the companies best interest because what we do also holds the company liable. So what do they want him to do? They wanted him to show presence, ask open ended questions, write an incident report and call the police if need be or requested. We are glorified hall moniters and building babysitters, not police officers. The best a non-armed guard can do is probably write a ticket.

[@Ghost-Song7714]

@@dannyg.4421 while that may be true for many cases, they certainly could’ve done more in this situation. Even if they had to give him a form warning not to do it again so that the creep can understand it’s inappropriate behavior, since mr creep kept firmly claiming that his autism limits his ability to read the room or whatever (which is bullshit cuz I myself and many other autistic individuals know better at this day and age not to engage in that kind of behavior)

[@Ghost-Song7714]

@@dannyg.4421 hold on, when did I say they should’ve used force??? I said they should’ve given him a strict, verbal warning to let him understand the severity of his actions, not push him around like some cop in a bad mood.

[@nikkonaner]

Developmentally delayed or not if they can talk about sex and be creeps they are mature enough to receive consequences to their actions. I defended a girl who was being stalked by a guy who we later found out was autistic. I told him to go away she is not comfortable (nice but stern), her friend smiled when I said that and the guy saw it. He rushed to the girl that laughed and yelled “im a good person!” to her face (wtf) and the girl was horrified! I immediately stood up and shoved him and got in his face like and inch away telling him to never yell at a woman or anyone like that again (It was my reaction though extreme it called for it) he cried and apologized and they kicked him out. But did I really have to scream and threaten a guy to get him to? No excuses, they are smarter than that and if anything says allot about their upbringing and who was at fault for that, not us thats for sure.

[@Nyasahi]

that first setence- yes exactly he could clearly articulate his unsavory intentions so he's got the cognitive prowess, as a fully grown adult to boot, to know better

[@nikkonaner]

@@Nyasahi Exactly!

[@kerrychabot]

We had a much more wholesome encounter being followed at our 6 yr old’s first con. She was dressed as Hermione, & we passed a little boy (about 5-6 as well) who was dressed as Harry. So, of course, she waves & says “Hi Harry”, & the little boy waves back. We didn’t think anything of it. Then we kept seeing him down every aisle. Which started to get weird after about 30 mins if you know con crowds. Then I get a tap on the shoulder, “excuse me, I’m so so sorry to bother you, but my son has been trying to work up the courage to ask your daughter if he could get a picture with her, but he’s too shy to ask her.”😅 I just about died of adorableness. We asked our daughter if she wanted to and she said yes, so our little fan got his photo, his Dad thanked us profusely, & we could hear him excitedly telling his Dad that he got his picture with Hermione as we walked off🥰 This was 12years ago & the they had the presence of mind to ASK FIRST. ALWAYS ASK FIRST!!

[@Elvyne]

Now THAT'S what I call adorable. Heart-melting

[@mrjones2721]

The “just let him apologize” trick is nauseating. So many toxic people can’t handle the thought that someone thinks badly of them, so they inflict themselves on the person even more until they get reassurance that they’re not a bad person. It’s an aspect of toxic personalities that most people aren’t aware of, so inexperienced people cave easily and pressure the toxic person’s victims to “let them apologize.” It’s appalling that the con staff didn’t have any training in dealing with stalkers. Science fiction and fantasy cons went through a reckoning over a decade ago, and now most cons have zero-tolerance guidelines for harassment, including banning problem people. Anime and comic cons are an order of magnitude bigger, with younger fans-whyyyy haven’t they developed the basic protections that us old farts take for granted? I’m so sorry that happened to you. And I hope this spurs the con to develop an anti-harassment policy and train their staff. Because I guarantee you, you’re not the only person who was harassed there.

[@bluekidkid2]

Your first paragraph has made me rethink my life again I will use that information for the future thank you!! (I haven’t done anything this guy has) but I feel I’ve done terrible stuff

[@TextrovertSolidork-KT]

@bluekudkid2 just thinking about it means you’re already a better person. Evil people don’t worry about if they’re evil or not

[@bluekidkid2]

@@TextrovertSolidork-KT thank you 🙏🏼

[@Rvisy]

Hey guys! I was the kid in the skeleton shirt and the lanyard with a bunch of pins that said hi to you! You guys were in that seating area when I said hi, but im really sorry that happened to you guys. Stay safe out there guys

[@11_Reaper_11]

which part of the video i can't find you 😭

[@Rvisy]

@@11_Reaper_11 I wasn’t in the video! They weren’t filming when I said hi :)

[@11_Reaper_11]

@@Rvisy aww... would be cool if i saw you tho! it must've been pretty amazing to see them

[@fslayer1290]

I’m an ex-teacher who had students with special needs. This is one of the reasons why parents really need to get their CHILD the help they need, be it social interaction lessons, and/or whatever is recommended by professionals. Adults who behave like this are creepy and potentially dangerous. Also, the staff need better training. Y’all are much more patient than I am. Your breakdown of the situation was spot on and good on you.

[@Twelvehz]

Thank you for posting this because I feel like the con scene is perceived as "Safe" now vs years ago (been attending cons since 2010 myself). And yes, it seems that way, but I've been going for over a decade and know what to look for and avoid and some younger cosplayers/attendees might not or not know to go to con staff to report. Cosplay is NOT consent, no matter the outfit.

[@MissSpaz]

So I've been attending conventions and cosplaying since I was 13 in 2003. So with 21 years of experience, I can absolutely say that the problem with creeps in the community has only gotten worse over the years. The community is CRAWLING with predators. They see a community where the majority of the people are neurodivergant and sometimes socially awkward/naive, and it's just a pool of potential victims for them. Thankfully, in the past 10 years, people gave become more comfortable calling those out who act like this.

[@R1versEnd]

I am not a cosplayer but I love cosplay. Instead i am a gothic women. (which if you know is heavily fetished and also has a terrible male audience outside the culture). I cant tell you how many times of me just going out in public to hangout, parties, or literally just community gatherings where I was being followed/ talked to inappropriately. Yall are not alone, do know that. Just because I dress up (which is literally only 10% of the time) I am harassed and sexualized. Alot of the time they get away with it by simply saying "Oh i wasnt trying to harrass her!", "That wasnt my intentions!" "I was just having a bad day!" and they get a slap on the wrist and expect us to just be okay with everything! We are here with you and stand with you.

[@kachina.uthabiti]

REALLLLLL

[@toyotawitha20mm35]

I dont understand straight men...

[@ThatOneBigShotYT]

Reminds me of the time I dressed what people outside the goth culture call "goth" (edgy choker, matching edgy earrings, kiss band crop top, fishnet leggings with ripped jeans over it, barbed wire belt, and platform boots), and I was literally just walking to get some exercise in and two men in a CAR pulled over behind me to BARK AT ME before speeding off. I can't make this shit up because of how INSANE it is. I wasn't even actually dressed goth, it was more alt, and it's still SO INSANE that men think this sort of behavior is okay.

[@cemeterybaby2008]

The fact he said “ah this might be better :)” like y’all were a group.. 😭😭

[@SquareOneCosplay]

For REAL though!?

[@iGame3D]

He probably thought he made friends for the first time in his life.

[@tiffanydelrose4131]

Omg that’s a little scary. Stalkers are no joke. I’ve been chased at a con before. I’m still glad y’all had fun and was safe. I can’t wait for more. Be there and be square ❤❤❤❤

[@Yue_mariin00]

I am so sorry you were chased 🫂 I hope your next conventions are only full of fun and good to you, please take care :( 💜

[@tiffanydelrose4131]

@@Yue_mariin00 thank you. Yea that was really scary. Im sure my next one will be better. 💖

[@AWE.X]

Bro I'm going to a con on August 10th im so scared now!!!

[@tiffanydelrose4131]

@@AWE.X I totally get it, I always feel more comfortable going to cons with friends so if incase anything happens, at least I’m not alone.

[@lorelie8941]

​@@AWE.Xwhat are you wearing???

[@Yippeeeeeeee4563]

I hate it when people try to use their neurodivergence as an excuse to be a bad person it’s gross

[@Sleepless_dave]

Im neurodivergant and he not excusable for that

[@king-gv3bk]

Thats what the guy who sexually harassed me said. He thinks him being special needs is an excuse to be a pervert.

[@DeaDiabola]

@@PKMN_TrainerJet ughhhhhh

[@peacockcrowe2718]

Stop calling it neurodivergence then

[@IrishBiteGirl]

People like you just agreeing that he has it is the issue. Neither of these girls are autistic either but claim to be. Everyone needs to stop using it for status.

[@milkrush]

this isn’t the first time I’ve heard people getting away (or at least trying to) with sexual harassment because of a developmental issue (hope I worded that right) , one of the tik-tokers I use to like did something like this (I don’t know exactly what they did-I just know that it made the other person very uncomfortable) and their excuse was their autism. As an autistic person myself I think that it is WILD how this issue of harassment isn’t talked more about in the cosplay community , I hope you and you’re fiancé have recovered from this situation and know that you both deserve to be treated better. 💗

[@AngeliqueNade]

14:08 - I'm so glad you FINALLY said it. And eventually reported to the staff. 16:10 - "This guy was having a meltdown because he was 'developmentally delayed.'" THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO BE CREEPY AND STALKING PEOPLE. 😰 It's absolutely not okay at all!! You have such patience though. If I were in your shoes, I would have outright bluntly spat it to his face and report immediately when I felt something incredibly off. I likely would not have cared if I was painted the villain. They need to learn, and they'll learn the hard way from me. I'm just glad the situation was handled (probably not in the best way you'd prefer) and that, most importantly of all, you and Aster are safe. We can definitely rack this up as a fellow Con Goer Nightmare Stories. Let this be a fellow lesson to always stay alert and be safe at cons, everyone. Be safe, be there, and be square. 💟

[@The_King_Mayno]

"Do not be polite to men that creep you out" goes insanely hard and is so real. I didn't even know who you was until twenty minutes ago but you just got another follow.

[@MysteryDorkz]

This experience is definitely uncomfortable and scary! Also a little tip! If you’re ever in situation like that again, I should just try to look for a nice little group of people and ask for them to stick by your side until he leaves or until you guys get to a safe area.

[@poppymason-smith1051]

Had this happen to me not at a con as a country/folk dance workshop. You can be as loud and obvious as you want while leading them towards security, say loudly to him "I told you no means no! Dont you understand that. I dont want to dance with you no one has to dance with you just because you want to. If you dont understand consent you shouldn't be out alone." But you have to build it up wandering towards security but even if they dont do anything, be loud. Others will film them, step in and have your back if they start having a meltdown. Get attention and keep it simple so people have less reason to think your overblowing smth. Really security everywhere needs to be better. The guy that harassed me had specific restrictions on him about what events he could go to, after years of it. Yet nothing was done.

[@skittslol1407]

Its people like that that ruin experiences. It just taints the whole day. Being creeped on puts me on edge and I cant feel safe even hours, days later

[@uncommonusername]

Honestly, people need to learn to leave people alone. It's creepy and it's ruining stuff for everyone.

[@karaokegirl54]

This is exactly why women and feminine leaning people choose the bear. I’m autistic and I know that following someone around like that is creepy and rude. Especially asking for an OF and constantly looking at someone’s chest? When I met y’all at uncanny I wanted to constantly hang out with you and have fun but I also wanted to enjoy the con and let other people there to see you have their time so I would walk away and come back when no one was there, then walk away again when someone walked up so they had their one on one time. It wasn’t until almost the end of the two days when everyone was going home that I was able to sit with y’all and laugh and have fun, even helped Stan charge their phone so they could finish the vlog. I can’t really pick up on cues but nine times out of ten I can tell when someone’s uncomfortable and back off. It’s easy and free to be a kind non creepy person even if you’re autistic.

[@teslatang4941]

I’m an autistic girl too, I hate that we ASD girls try so hard to be respectful to the point of being pushovers and people pleasers, but so many ASD guys don’t even care and make it everyone else’s problem, then say they can’t help it, it’s their ASD. Like, no, look at all of us ASD girls, we clearly learnt, and you just didn’t bother or wanted to dirty the name of autism to use it as an excuse!

[@maxrockatanskytheroadwarrior]

What do you mean by bear?

[@vietbluecoeur]

@@maxrockatanskytheroadwarriorThis is referencing a question that’s been recorded as being asked of women, as to whether they would rather be cornered in the forest by a man or a bear, and oftentimes women answer that they’d rather pick the bear.

[@maxrockatanskytheroadwarrior]

@@vietbluecoeur ohhh i understand

[@haroldharold9042]

it’s ok to say female 😅 even transmasc and nb female people go thru this

[@christinatennant9192]

Me liking ur roxy cosplay for the nose contour and eyeliner. The creep liking it for the WRONG REASONS

[@TwiigssGames]

Yeah I really liked how she did the eyeliner, it came out really really good. I wonder if anyone did Montgomery? He's my favorite.

[@christinatennant9192]

@movie0007 my fav is roxy bc I like her attitude and self confidence. I like Montgomery to though

[@RenlyIsDed]

I HAD SUCH A JUMPSCSRE WITH THE SANS COSPLAY LMFAO

[@1-Majesticdog-1]

REAL

[@microglitch9742]

{"Ey kiddos, it's ya boi, Sans Undertale."}

[@Doggie-wl5et]

I was half expecting them to say :"What's clack a lacking my fellow kids, its ya boy sans!!!"

[@AYE-D0m1NaUr]

Me too 😂

[@MelonHere20]

SAME took me way back

[@UnkownWonders]

The fact the guards are taking the side of the stalker is WILD.

[@haroldharold9042]

Police do similar. It’s sad. They don’t do anything until the stalker has already done something violent.

[@xhelan131]

@@haroldharold9042 correct, because what he is doing is not illegal. wanting cops to get "involved" with non illegal things is a slippery slope. you also should not be advocating for people's rights to be stepped on, regardless of your comfort level.

[@echochou3977]

@@xhelan131 WDYM ???? STALKING *IS* ILLEGAL. Plus not respecting someone's boundaries IS stepping on someone's rights and wrongfully so. We can all have opinions and debate on it, but making someone uncomfortable and not respecting them is NOT okay no matter what. How would that make you feel to be followed by someone all around a store ? Its not okay nor normal. Stop advocating and normalizing this type of behavior.

[@Jack_Flapper]

⁠@@xhelan131 His right to sexually harass people?

[@Jack_Flapper]

@@echochou3977 Ikr, dude just told on himself hard if he thinks this is not textbook harassment. Edit: Yep, I was right, dude completely outed himself.

[@Lacetheseaserpent]

I find it so dumb how the guards keep sympathizing for the stalker saying “it’s cause of how you’re dressed 🙄” like just because someone is dressed a certain way doesn’t mean it’s consent! Clothes don’t equal to consent! Glad y’all are okay though :D

[@iGame3D]

That's not what the staff are saying. They are saying an adult man with the hormones of an adult man but the impulse control of a 12 year old can be triggered by sexualized clothing. There is a reason teachers don't go to school dresssed this way. There is nothing wrong with the clothing, but there is something VERY wrong with MANY people. Act accordingly.

[@aichidarthlycan7183]

Yeah that stalker was... yikes I had a stalker at Anime Los Angeles because I was cosplaying as Venti from Genshin on Sunday (it was a skimpy maid outfit so of course some people would be a creep & was first out of comfort zone for showing more of my skin because i wanted to try it out but i had another maid outfit waiting at my hotel in case i wanted to switch) Didn't notice that someone was stalking me until I was told. Wished i could've recorded the whole thing to provide evidence but it is what it is. Hopefully that stalker doesn't go to any cons you go.

[@peach9033]

I saw that guy walking around and he gave me bad vibes so I kept my distance, I had no idea he was following yall im so sorry that happened. there was more sketchy dudes there I also had a bad interaction with like two guys, shits insane i'm so glad yall are safe now!

[@Star0npaws1236jki]

Following 2 women around a convention when they are really like trying to move away signaling that they dont want to be near you and then still follow them is NOT ok and should be dealt with ASAP. I'm so sorry you went through that.

[@Mothman_In_a_T-Pose]

Con staff messed up hard core. Fanime has a lot of issues (Cali con), but the staff are fucking on it. I was cosplaying as Ariel in her mermaid form, and a staff member went out of their way to tell me where the cosplay lounge was _and_ assure me security was in the room. They told me how to recognize staff and security. The next day, I was Black Canary. Different staff member, similar conversation. When I was harassed in that costume, security shut it the fuck down. I am so sorry that the staff at this con made so many errors. No one should ever feel unsafe at a con, and if that does happen, staff should ensure the harasser is handled without any blame falling on the victim.

[@catandrobbyflores]

Remember when Fanime was one of the cons people told you to go to instead of the one to avoid?

[@Mothman_In_a_T-Pose]

@@catandrobbyflores Considering that this only changed this year...yes. It sucks that con management fucked itself as hard as it did. It has always been one of my favorite cons, but it's just insane how staff have been treated and how many preventable mistakes were made.

[@midnights2631]

I'm so sorry to ask, but what happened at Fanime con to make it bad? I don't go to con. I plan to one day.

[@Mothman_In_a_T-Pose]

@@midnights2631 The majority of people staffing Fanime are volunteers. Instead of being paid, they're supposed to get all needs covered and a stipend for food. They repealed that recently, where staff is getting very little covered. As well, exhibitor hall and artist alley are incredibly difficult to get booths for (regardless of how established you are), and theft isn't addressed. For con goers, the amount of people make it difficult to have a seamless experience. Con hotels are hard to get. Panels are limited, and panel hosts have to fight to keep their place. It's meant to be a con for fans, by fans but it's devolved into a soulless cash grab.

[@HenryNelson-xn1rv]

love how she says at 17:00 "you're gonna have a bad time" while in the sans cosplay lol

[@XxBlackAngel141]

Holy hell I got anxiety from watching this... So sorry you had to go through that. :/ And those staff members' comments about it probably happening again pissed me off sm. Cosplaying as a character that shows some skin is NOT an invitation to harass and stalk. My anger issues could never...

[@Junkyard_Cosplays]

Y'all's story sounds so much like mine and it's honestly terrifying and disappointing that these things happen so much to cosplayers at conventions. I pretty much have the same story, was at a con with one of my friends, and the last day of the con, we got stalked big time. A dude came up to us and he asked how old we were. We told him our ages (young enough to be still considered a minor), and the whole conversation gave me and my friend the creeps. We thought nothing else of it, but he then came back up to us in a booth and started making comments to my friend while I was buying something, and he even told her he is autistic, his parents had a booth at the con, and he was in his 20's. We immediately were like okay we need to avoid this dude he seems creepy, and we managed to avoid him majority of the con. We were about a couple of hours away from the end of the con and we were just sitting upstairs where the food was, and my friend saw him coming up the stairs. We're pretty sure he actually was originally there for food, but the second he saw us sitting there he turned in our direction, so we speed walked away and went down the other set of stairs, and we were basically like, okay, this dude is starting to follow us. We ran down the stairs and were going around the corner, but sure enough the dude tried to cut us off by going the opposite way around. We were full on running into one of the rooms and hid. We waited there for a few minutes, then went as fast as we could out of there to the registration desk, and asked for security, who I can not ever show my thanks enough. The second we said someone was stalking us, they cut us off asking us who and what the person looked like, we described him, and they went searching for him immediately, and the people at the desk took us behind the desk to keep us safe, trying to calm us down and comfort us. Sure enough, since this dude had been following us, he had reappeared looking like he was searching for us, and the security got him. These people were so amazing and respectful. We had told them everything we knew about the dude to help them find him, and they did not care if his parents had a booth. They did not care if he was autistic. They still went after him and put a stop to him. They also escorted us to our cars so we could get home safely. They were even particular about how we walked to our cars. They stayed right next to our sides and if we passed any kind of door or car, they stayed on that side of us. This is a fast summary but it was honestly terrifying and it's so sad this stuff happens to cosplayers. I'm not even a girl, I just was wearing a very feminine cosplay that day (elf). People can be so sick the second they see anything they might think is attractive.

[@teslatang4941]

I hate guys who use their autism as an excuse to be a creep. I’m autistic too, most of us (esp girls) work so hard to be mindful of people’s boundaries.

[@rentacop7038]

This didn't happen to me at a convention, but something similar happened to me near my house when I went outside. My bf and I were going to popeyes he forgot his sweater and told me he needed to go get it I told him I'll meet him at the store. I walked to the popeyes but passed by this guy who had his dong out, I ignored him and kept it moving to my destination. The same dude came up behind me when I got to the front of the restaurant, and he touched me. I yelled at him not to fu ck ing touch me because he had his hands on his privates. He told me he had autism, I told him idgaf if he did or didn't. That's not an excuse to take your weiner out, touch it, and touch someone with the hands you touched your dong with. My bf walked in on me screaming at the guy, I told him what happened, and he went off on the guy and made me go get the police from across the street. It was so disgusting and traumatizing that it even happened in the first place. The guy saw me pass by him and purposely followed me just to touch me.

[@juratory8876]

​@@teslatang4941 Someone else in the comments pointed out that autistic women are sometimes accused of displaying internalized ableism when calling out autistic men who are creepy.

[@Avroarra]

11:41 ive seen these "stalkers" constantly happening here in CA(california) i usually try to intervene and tell the staff too. Your best solution to have guys(friends) you trust to keep you company just becareful because these stalkers are sexually attracted to hot girl cosplayers. Im sincerely sorry it happened to you girls bceause it happened to my friend who is a chick she was stalked too.

[@FuguFae]

There’s a difference between being socially oblivious as a result of being neurodivergent, and using your neurodivergency as a crutch to be enabled. I’m autistic and in my 20s and still sometimes mess up and say or do things that i worry makes people uncomfortable or comes off as weird to them. And you know what i do? I apologize to them and try and keep in mind to avoid saying or doing those things again. This guy KNEW what he was doing was weird, at least to some extent. Which to me means this isn’t the first or likely last time he’s done something like this. And he probably won’t stop until somebody puts their foot down HARD on him.

[@aaron-gz]

Yup that circling back and forth is the guilt, awkwardness, or cold sweat telling him to stop but tries to find a way to keep going. Thinking this would work like a cartoon plot of a new strange character following you but they turn out to be misunderstood and a new friend ✨ In other words, delusional. Teaching to not trust your gut feeling. That kind of plot bothers me these days. Gives a bad impression of how interactions work. Or you know, he is a pervert that thinks insisting will get him the non-existent OF link

[@DeaDiabola]

It's clear he's done this before, probably was raised in an environment that coddled and protected these behaviors.. which happens a loooot. Esp with ASD cishet men.

[@lauratwinkle6420]

As someone who has been diagnosed with aspergers syndrome since the age of 2, it makes me mad that the con staff dropped the ball with this as it was not ok with what he did. I hope this didnt completely ruin your experience. I recently discovered your channel and your cosplays are amazing. Keep up the amazing work and I hope you have a great day 😊

[@NaeniaNightingale]

Hi fellow aspie!

[@mo-s-]

Unironically ableism from the staff

[@chris101gray3]

Would be gold to see the reactions of content creators like this watching their videos in 20 years time.

[@kxra6]

man that dude was CREEPY, i hope u guys have a better time at ur next con, to anyone reading this plz be careful stay safe!!🩷

[@nexenzy5825]

17:10 you sayin this in a Sans cosplay is PERFECT!

[@SwaggyWonkyRaccoon]

I WAS ABT TO COMMENY THIS

[@Catinthecosmos155]

As someone whose response is to fawn due to trauma I completely relate to your thought process. It’s so annoying to be in that headspace and then once you’re out of the situation realizes how bad it was

[@AnnaMorimoto]

That's terrifying. I thought the double red flags of the initial creep 'offering feet pics' with the aim of 'gaining Vtuber info' was wild. This stalker situation is absolutely terrifying. I've been told to avoid secluded areas, because they can corner you and no one would be around to notice and help. I've also found it helpful to repeatedly notify staff multiple times as the situation escalates, so that even if each interaction might seem trivial, the repeated reports usually convey the severity of the situation, if that makes sense.

[@brandondarkside4175]

Being stalked isn't fun. Its scary and makes you feel uncomfortable. Glad y'all still had fun and glad you didn't see him again. Be safe at cons everyone

[@glitterboxx19]

People really need to understand that anybody can be a creep whether autistic or not / a disability should never be a excuse for someone's inappropriate behavior

[@calerenzo]

I was Batman at COAF. I saw him following you guys like once but I had no idea it was to this degree. I’m so sorry you guys had to deal with that.

[@MusicFreakKatz]

I'm sorry the staff treated you horribly, they need to do better at dealing with stalkers, that was a dangerous situation. I'm glad you two are ok, that's scary as f*ck.

[@not_mana]

This is my comfort video. I watch this video and 'The Biggest Cosplay Contest Cheating Scandal In Years' by Sarah Spaceman on a weekly basis, something about this video is so human, so visually stimulating and satisfying to watch, despite how horrendous the situation is.

[@SquareOneCosplay]

I’m really proud of this video, and not many of my videos are like it! I’m glad to hear it, I’m gonna try to keep making videos like it 🫡

[@naaaiya]

I’ve experienced this even outside of cosplay, as a big boob woman I’m aware that wearing a revealing top will mean I’ll get unwanted attention even though it’s not my fault. the last con I went to I wore a top that covered everything except my cleavage and had multiple ppl stand in front of me staring at me, stopping me to make comments. I even brought and CHANGED INTO a different full coverage shirt because I was increasingly uncomfortable and had a man at one of the counters stare at my chest and then scowl at me 😭 like you can’t make this shit up

[@MishaDalila]

You can dress up as a catholic cloister nun and you will still be harrased. It's a dangerous world. 😨

[@yesthatmousyiris4887]

Oh god that's bad I'm sorry you have to deal with that

[@OddOtter707]

The majority of guys rarely see a nice rack in the real world. Its shows when they stare or scowl at ya.

[@FelicianoCookie]

Fellow top heavy girl, I used to work in a drive-thru and I remember someone once parked so far away I almost fell out the window. But I’m pretty sure he was trying to peek…I also wish I could say I was making it up 😭

[@SaltyMouse10]

He knew what he was doing was wrong. He can clearly control his actions.

[@blindphantom631]

This might be completely underrated but I absolutely love these Sans cosplay I cosplayed once as error Sans and it doesn't look that great cuz I am allergic to makeup and my mother won't buy me face paint

[@Pqstelchan]

That man was a fully grown adult. He should’ve known if following two women around a con was okay or not. I hope you both are okay now❤

[@SallieKitty]

OMG IM IN THERE TWICE HOLY SHT😭😭😭 I love you guys sm I’ve been watching y’all forever

[@cantexplainmyselfnomore]

YAYAY

[@charlesrodriguez3657]

Y'all's Sans, Roxanne, and Chica costumes are amazingly executed.

[@BwahahahaX3MyBananas]

This convention has a bit of a track record unfortunately. There was that one time where their former con head of staff admitted to SA-ing someone and they tried to rug sweep it, then there was another year where one guy got caught trying to get underage girls drunk and was taking creep shots up skirts and staff didn’t do much to enforce his ban. I want to believe in COAF but it’s difficult sometimes to do so since this is a consistent issue but hopefully this doesn’t happen again!

[@levi_lover25]

But that's horrible! The staff should be publically shamed and and exposed!!

[@BwahahahaX3MyBananas]

@@levi_lover25 the head of staff was Greg Hynes iirc. He got replaced soon after and has been laying low. I don’t know the creep shots guy? I think his name started with D like Dylan or Dustin. Apparently he’s still seen at the local conventions

[@Matcha_someone]

1. This is absolutly DISGUSTING and this guy deserves to be kicked out IMMEDIATLY. 2. ITS AN ANIME CONVENTION your supposed to ENJOY the convention not STALK SOMEBODY. 3. its crazy how you guys dont have 1m subcribers yet 4. love the fits yall are so cool

[@Leaf99984]

0:12 i loved the jinx cosplay

[@vann.E]

Im a pretty young cosplayer and always go to conventions with my dad who is tall and muscular so people leave me alone but im really really sorry this happened to you. Creeps, no matter their mental age, should never be allowed to creep on anyone. Loved your cosplays :)

[@kristinesuh4927]

As an autistic person myself, one of the best things you can do for us is tell us or have someone in charge tell us if we're doing something wrong. I've regretfully hurt a lot of people because of my obliviousness and it really sucks when people didn't tell me because they felt bad because I have autism. The truth is, by not telling them, you're enabling them/ teaching them that it's okay to do the things they're doing. This guy's behavior is a result of his parent's enabling him or letting it go because of his disability. You did the right thing in reporting him and I wish you all the best.

[@kristinesuh4927]

You should also be able to wear whatever you want, especially to a convention.

[@marymystery4427]

Correct me if I'm wrong but if you're misreading ques of someone being your travel buddy you wouldn't lie like that. He had to know what he was doing.

[@setuser777]

@@marymystery4427 I agree. If what you believe you're doing is right, you don't go out of your way to come up with strange excuses to cover what you did. In fact, you wouldn't need to excuse yourself at all.

[@kristinesuh4927]

@@setuser777 My response to that is this. Autism can be an explanation, but please, never use it as an excuse.

[@teslatang4941]

Also autistic, seconded! It benefits no one to let creepy behaviour go unchecked.

[@robertdasnail]

This video popped up on my feed and I was like OH MY GOD I REMEMBER THESE GUYS! I used to watch y’all all the time a couple years ago. I’m so glad I found y’all again and I’m gonna binge watch some of your vids later:))

[@Zephyeran]

Hearing you talk about your fawn response is very eye opening for me. I have a similar trauma response, and I similarly have convinced myself I want to appease, and I'm not angry, even when I'm extremely uncomfortable, and.. I guess I needed to hear that experience from someone else to realize how unhealthy it was of me, and the healing I need to do. That it's a normal reaction to an abnormal situation, and that even after all that healing, I still may do it some, and that's okay. That my partner is also good at noticing my discomfort and I should try to catch when they notice to better handle situations maybe? In general, it helps a lot, so thank you ^^

[@WatercatJane]

Every place I go, it’s like this. 90 percent of people are awesome and respectable but there’s always that one guy. It’s so easy to look back and think to myself ‘why didn’t I tell that guy off’ but I dunno. It’s hard to describe the deer in headlights feeling it causes when someone starts to do stuff like this. The actions they give off, the way they act, it truly frightens me to my core. I’d never heard of the fawning phrase before, that’s an eye opener to me. Worst one I ever had followed me to my car, wouldn’t let me close my door and only let go when he started to see me cry. He was also said to have mental problems and was therefore allowed to keep going to local meets and keep doing this stuff to other women. He made it another three meets until he was kicked out. Thank you for sharing your story. I think it’s important we all keep calling these people out.

[@lumicosplays]

I'm so sorry this happened to you guys. That was not right of him AT ALL!!! People like that should be banned from conventions and reported for future events to be looked out for. Also, idk if you noticed but at 13:32 - 34 you can see him look at you guys walk away and grab his bag. I just can't with this dude. Stay safe guys!💜

[@MeahDemon]

I'm autistic, and even I know what consent is and what that guy was doing was wrong

[@ShaneMurphyHendrickson]

Me too and I agree.

[@SonGojit456]

I also have Autism so, Yes I am aware of the word " Consent" that Idiot does not! 😡😡😡😡

[@iGame3D]

Not all autism is the same some people are on a whole other level.

[@Goob.2763]

Same

[@OfficialChicas_Cupcake]

oml no way he started a conversation like that, he is SICK in the mind.. anyways, absolutely love the cosplays! ^v^

[@starsneptunexx]

🌽 addictions are honestly a plague.

[@tamarabuchwald507]

Thats what the mind of a p*rnwatcher is, P*rn is a plague to society

[@OfficialChicas_Cupcake]

@@starsneptunexx tbh yeah

[@aaronjames3228]

It's not that crazy

[@OfficialChicas_Cupcake]

@@aaronjames3228 uhm wdym?? he started a convo with OF.. how is it ‘nOT ThaT CRaZy’

[@aliceseal3akkompassenskola774]

I feel so bad for you two, this shouldnt happen anyone, stay safe out there lovelys and keep doing stuff like this, its really amazing.

[@Rubytussin]

17:15 lol I see what you did there. Looking at the way he swayed the staff he probably did it a couple of times before that creep will definitely do it to others again. Here's to hoping that the creep doesn't find your channels or socials.

[@unresponsiblechild15]

I went to a convetion cosplayed as luz from toh and this dude just grabbed me by the shoulder and arms but i legit bit him so hard the security came. He did got kicked out :)

[@SolarEclipse-po7iu]

A true Luz reaction, good on you 👏👏

[@LiveLaughLoveLightYagami]

Frick yeah dude

[@karathewolfsfanficchannel933]

Not even the owl house is safe??? There goes my Vee cosplay.

[@ElLiAnimates]

That happened to me at a con once, and this weird ass 30ish year old guy in a black hoodie was following me and my friend around. We started walking around and sat where there were multiple people, and he was like *circling the area we were in like a shark*. Me and my friend noticed that. Since we are both girls, we walked to the girls bathroom and camped there for like a solid 15 minutes. When we got out we saw him standing *RIGHT BESIDE THE GIRLS BATHROOM*?? He told us he was "waiting for his sister" We decided to tell a cosplayer who we asked for photos with before, and they told us they could stay with us until the guy was gone (they were a female person cosplaying Millie, late 20's). The guy finally left but oh my god my heart was beating out of my chest.

[@justincreates3847]

Regardless what the reason was for his behavior, does not excuse him stalking you guys, making you uncomfortable and ruining a day of the Con. If he was willing to lie, and go through the effort of following you both around, he knew what he was doing. And even then, what were you two supposed to think when he kept circling and then sitting right in front of/near you two? He's a stranger... you don't know what's going on in his mind, or what he may have hidden on his person or in that bag. I understand people tend to feel bad when they find out the person is developed mentally disabled, or neurodivergent, whatever the case, but I'd rather still be ALIVE and unharmed when finding that out with security/police nearby. Also, who is to say that he was telling the truth about that? People can easily lie about things to seem more sympathetic. If he was willing to lie about why he was following you, what else wouldn't he lie about? Last thing he was gonna accept was being outed as a creep, clearly.

[@1xaaronx1]

At 14:33 I was happy to hear the words of that one person saying “that’s perfectly fine” when you asked the stalker “why are you following us” and also I hope your doing better and also I was at that convention I couldn’t stay long but I did see you guys and I wanted to hi but I couldn’t but I hope we will meet again in the future and I hope you guys are safe out there

[@KaLa1865_]

"If you are persistent in chasing women around in a convention center, you're gonna have a bad time." -Sans 2024

[@starsneptunexx]

I’m disabled and it’s disgusting how people these days excuse someone’s behaviour all because they’re neurodivergent. No, we just respond to things differently and even though I might be on a different spectrum than he is, I’m pretty sure he knows what he’s doing. I’m so sorry you had to go through that, mate.

[@Mooniewoonie-ru6su]

Getting stalked at a con is one of my greatest fears 😭😭😭 IMAGINE IF YOU TWO WERE ON YOUR OWN OMGG 😨

[@heroicgangster9981]

the fact that trafficking was exposed during SDCC lately made me really think deeply from this video. it astounds me how such very public events can carry towards having strange stuff going on. i guess with the great quantity of people which makes strange encounters more likely

[@iGame3D]

Every convention has trafficking, it's a very old cliche that a prostitute approaches a man in the bar and asks if he's in town for the convention. If there is people and money, the pros come calling.

[@Lady_Ginnie]

Oof, playing the victim when he got caught. What a JOY. I'm glad you're safe. Con staff REALLY needs to be trained better for this sort of thing. Not just security, but anyone working the convention. This whole situation wasn't your fault, and it sucks you were made to feel like it was. I feel for you, because I'd probably react the exact same way.

[@arglebargle23fnord]

Sad to see Colorado conventions haven't changed much since my last. I'm so, so sorry you were put through all this, by the stalker AND the staff.

[@Omnicredeutiq]

I’m deeply sorry that this happened to you :( I was in the same situation around March where I was cosplaying as bayverse bumblebee with my own helmet and a creepy guy kept pointing out on what I was wearing and forced me to take the helmet off to see how I look like, even bribing me with stickers and shit 😭 later on he lost track on where I went but I was still scared to go to that convention ever since I wish you all the best and stay safe ! ^_^

[@everleighlakie6241]

Thanks

[@artbyphobia]

I could literally actually FEEL the embarrassment and awkwardness while watching the guy come up to you both 😭 Ive had many experiences close to this since me and my friend usually do female cosplays at con, I am so sorry

[@IJustWantAMocha]

14:13 THE WAY HE SAYS THAT AS IF YALL WERE A GROUP HANGING OUT 💀 nah that’s scary I’m so sorry y’all had to go through with this no one should ever experience this.

[@Chinaistherealbaddie]

“You know this might be better.” I BURSTED OUT LAUGHING IM SORRY

[@willow-reigns_vixen]

I’m so sorry y’all were being stalked, that’s my worst fear when at cons. :( Seriously love y’all, y’all are awesome and smart for how you dealt with the situation. Stay safe❤