Cosplay Discrimination

Has anyone ever been discriminated because of their body type, weight, height, gender, race, ect because you're cosplaying a character that doesn't quite fit you? And what I mean by that is say someone wants to cosplay Rikku from FFX-2 and they are either, not a female, or they are another race, a darker skin color. or they don't have the super model thin body type. If so how have you handled yourself in these situations? I'll explain more of my story. I am just getting back into Cosplaying after a long hiatus. Reason because of this, is because when I would cosplay it was always "Oh a black (insert character)" Like they make it sound like race and the color of my skin are a apart of the cosplay. People of color or not really taken seriously in the cosplay community because we aren't a common thing. Usually if you are not white or asian. People will like to do cosplay racism. Where a lot of people think you should only cosplay someone who is close to your skin color. I've witnessed and been a victim of it for years. To the point where I just stopped because it seemed the color of MY NATURAL SKIN had taken away from the cosplay itself, letting all my hardwork into that cosplay go to waste. Because people aren't admiring the cosplay they are more shocked that someone of color is cosplaying someone that isn't naturally that color. I'm also plus size as well, but I've actually never gotten poked at for my curves. It's more of my race, but I know plenty of people who do get ridiculed because they aren't that body type of the character they are cosplaying. I just want to know if there are other people out there who've been discriminated on because of their physical appearance.

As a hefty guy, yes. I can't be a cool character I love because it just comes off as comical. Like you said, instead of mine being a "black X" it's "fat X." It's not like I'm confident enough to try to cosplay someone who leaves their shirt open or anything, I could be fully clothed and the same thing happens. So now I'm limited to Snorlax, Totoro, Greed, Ox King, you get the gist. I know some people take a pretty hateful stance to overweight people, but I love the taste of great food more than I love pretending I'm a character for a few hours. /shrug

Do what you want an what makes you happy. I don't care who cosplays as what. Sure people will always think to themselves, even if not in a mean way, "That cosplay doesn't fit that person" I've never had any issues (though I haven't cosplayed yet; money...) But for me, I'd like to cosplay as someone I'm more fit for, or at least someone who wears glasses

As someone who has been cosplaying for 7 years now. I've had and seen my fair share of infantile and stupid comments about cosplaying. From what I've noticed personally, people have forgot that cosplay is all about fun and enjoyment. Its you as the cosplayer celebrating the fact you like that character. It doesn't matter if you're a different race, gender, weight class...ect. I don't ever remember the cosplaying rules saying anything about those variables. Anybody that heckles a cosplay based on those twisted principles isn't worth your time. They are petty, and stupid and one day they will get a taste of their own treatment. Cosplay whoever you want, when you want, and don't let other fools dictate what you can and what you can't do.

The one thing I dislike is when people discriminate for a cosplay that somebody did based completely on the person themselves rather then the work they did for the actual cosplay.

Well see, I'm not saying that I'm not going to cosplay again because. I am saying if anyone has dealt with their issues. I mean for people who do get a lot of cosplay hate because of their weight, race, ect. It does really start to get to you, and makes you feel like the cosplay community isn't very welcome. Which is ridiculous because everyone being from a society that doesn't accept us already because we're "different" Why would a subculture in the nerd community of ALL people want to outcast people?

Well..to me guys will care usually most guys do care....heh either you get your photo shoot or they walk by you to the next person they see hotter.But since there is now many female cosplay models they really..screwed up cosplaying for many..teens and adults girls..too bad it not males right? GIRLS!GIRLS!GIRLS!Girls rule anime.<=] But anime is from Japan they eat small potions and are mostly portray as Japaneses women or men...but since it all cartoons,curves and drawing the perfect body type with a pencil is easy even drawing a hot guy..^^ To..me there's never a perfect cosplay in the end only the cartoon can be perfect.Humans aren't meant to be like a cartoon we wasn't meant to be perfect.That's my two cents.

Its true that you can never look perfectly like a anime charecter just as no woman ever looks like a barbie. But i think cosplay should be for fun and to me, people who discriminate arent worth your attention. As a white, small, skinny girl i obviously cant cosplay and look exactly like some of those big chested anime charecters because no girl has those boobs naturally. Even though I've never been discriminated against when i do dress up i dont think people ever should be. Honestly it's only should be for fun. If it's not fun there shouldn't be a point to doing it.