It is with sadness that the Lanka Comic Con Trust watches what is happening in the cosplay community.

Geeks have always been the people who feel most alone in a crowded room. Our passions have always drawn toxic ridicule. Those targeting us are the ignorant, the insecure, and the unimaginative.

The challenge our community faces is that our passions have become mainstream. This has greatly grown our numbers. It has allowed us to share what we care about with much larger audiences. It allows our parents to not cringe so much when they see us on TV at Comic Con.

However, it has also made it easy for the bullies to find us again. They have invaded the spaces we made for ourselves.

So tell them no.

Tell them their hate is not welcome. We refuse their toxic culture. We wish them well, but please be elsewhere...

This is our space. We have built it over ten years.

Why would we give it up to them again?

Tell them no.