Does anyone know more about the treatment of Stephanie Burke at
Balticon? The con chair actually apologized for how she was treated,
which is virtually unprecedented. All I have right now is one article:
https://file770.com/balticon-chair-apologizes-after-author-stephanie-burke-removed-from-panels/
I am utterly heartbroken at how events have played out
at Balticon this year with our panelist, Stephanie Burke.
Ms. Burke has been a long-time panelist and we have
invited her back year after year because of her engaging
commentary and insightful additions to our programming.
An incident was reported to us regarding Ms. Burke. The
plan was to quietly ask her to step down from her panels
for the weekend while we had a chance to investigate.
However, an overzealous volunteer decided to remove her
from an ongoing panel in a way that caused her
embarrassment. This is inexcusable and we deeply
apologize.
The more usual statement from con chairs is, "This person said something
which is so utterly offensive that I can't tell you what it was, so I
expect you to believe me without evidence. This irredeemably evil person
is henceforth banned from participating in our activities, mentioning
us, or thinking about us. The same applies to anyone who disputes this
fatwa."
SFWA took a lot of heat for its treatment of Mercedes Lackey. Is it
possible things are just starting to move away from the situation where
SF organizations can declare people pariahs and go unchallenged?
As I said, I know nothing about the particulars of this case, but the
apology is extraordinary.
--
Gary McGath
http://www.mcgath.com