#LBCE2019

[yo-noodles]

After Arryn's ig story, you best believe I ran outside to take a picture with it

[benpaddon]

Long Beach Comic Con 2018 had a major issue with disability access that they have refused to publicly acknowledge, apologize for, or commit to addressing for their 2019 shows.

As some of you know, I am disabled - I have fibromyalgia and am dependent on a cane when attending cons. At Long Beach Comic Con 2018 last year, convention staff made several decisions that made it very difficult for disabled attendees like myself to get around.

Probably the biggest choice they made was to actively close off one of the main convention center elevators, taping over the buttons and actively roping off the door. The elevator was functional - neither con staff nor security could explain why it had been closed. Con staff blamed the Long Beach Convention Center staff for the decision, while the convention center told me that it was a decision Long Beach Comic Con had made.

They also made people exit the con by going down one flight of stairs, through the panel hall rooms, and up another flight of stairs, as opposed to simply walking out a door that was right there leading out onto the street. @mandyquesadilla had to argue with a member of staff in order to get me out of the convention center without making me struggle with two flights of stairs.

This is particularly hilarious because I was there to participate in a panel on invisible illness and disability - a panel that the target audience couldn’t reach because the main elevator had been shut down.

When I posted about this publicly, both on Twitter and on Facebook, I was contacted via Facebook by Martha Donato - President of MAD Event Management who handle both Long Beach Comic Con and Long Beach Comic Expo. I got what appeared to be a boilerplate apology designed to placate me and make me feel better. When I asked whether a public apology would be offered to the hundreds of disabled attendees who attended the con and had issues getting in and out of the event, and whether the con would be making a public commitment to improved disabled access to their events, I got no response. I know the message was seen. But they chose to ignore my questions, and they’ve ignored me every time since that I’ve reached out.

(For those wondering: I did file an ADA complaint, but I got a letter back from the DoJ telling me that they can’t investigate every complaint because they don’t have the resources, and they wouldn’t be looking into this one.)

Over the weekend I noticed that the Long Beach Comic Con Twitter account had changed to promote Long Beach Comic Expo, but rather than just change the name they also changed the handle - @LBComicCon had become @LBComicExpo. I wondered whether they’d set up a placeholder account to preserve the old name for when they want to start promoting Long Beach Comic Con again.

They hadn’t. So, naturally, I snapped it up. Mandy noticed they’d done the same with their Instagram account, so we snagged that one too.

We’re using the accounts to call attention to Long Beach Comic Con’s active disinterest in serving their disabled attendees. We’re calling on Long Beach Comic Con, Long Beach Comic Expo, and MAD Event Management to publicly commit to improved disability access. Once they do that, we will happily hand over the keys to these accounts.

Their response to discovering these accounts exist was to block us on social media.

We will continue to use the @LBComicCon Twitter and @longbeachcomiccon Instagram to highlight their poor treatment of disabled attendees, as well as accessibility issues at other cons, until they are willing to commit to improvements.

[geeklyfanboying]

"Can't you see me in a castle of my own, because I certainly can. All the things we've seen and it's only eight in the morning! Gentlemen, this is a very big day!" Flynn has easily become my favorite comfy cosplay to wear💕 Photo @yorkinabox #FlynnRider #Disney #Tangled #Cosplay #LBCE2019 #Flynn https://www.instagram.com/p/BukrhX9DovM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gam6umuu4899

[angiviper]

See you tomorrow @longbeachcomicexpo! I’ll be sitting in as a model for @misschrissylyn makeup demo starting at 11am Saturday morning! Come by to watch the transformation and keep an eye out for #Starfire in the afternoon! 💜 #longbeachcomicexpo #lbce #lbce2019 #longbeach #socal #southerncalifornia #makeupdemo #cosplaymakeup #bodypaint #starfirecosplay #cosplay #cosplaygirls #cosplayersofinstagram #angiviper https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt7fytKgAXG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10olo2ddhcjv5

[chekicardphoto]

#starwars cosplay at #lbce2019 Rey: @rei.kennex #longbeachcomicexpo #myInstax (at Long Beach Comic Expo) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu-Qp8-j7EI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14tkm4ewz57ta

[coaststarlight]

The end. It was great meeting you all again, Feel free to DM for tagging info/updates if needed, until next time.. ✌ #LongBeach #LongBeachComicExpo  #LongBeachComicExpo2019 #2019 #LBCE #LBCE2019 #ComicExpo #MovieCars #Cars #Corvette #GM #Chevrolet #Canon #Canon7D #EF24105MM #📷 #🚗 (at Long Beach Comic Expo) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuO0NuInend/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1l8r8rwwynodj

[thepullboxdotcom]

@cosplaycorral shows off @akemi101xoxo doing an awesome Harley ・・・ Harley doesn’t seem too impressed by all the rain goin on in SoCal. Sun Gods or better yet, Joker, where are ya? Harley needs some puddin to brighten her day. Throwback shot of lovely cosplayer @akemi101xoxo at @nerdbotcon Photography by @craigmcnelleyphotography Be sure to check out our homepage www.thepullbox.com #harleyquinn #harleyquinncosplay #harley #harleenquinzel #katsucon #katsucon2019 #lbce #lbce2019 #cosplaygirl #blondes #redandblack #cute #tongue #sassy #sunday #conlife #comicconvention #comicbooks #geekgirl #comics #girlpower #girlstrongbotbotcon #joker #batman #photoshoot #cosplayphotoshoot #cosplayphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/BuE2Lw6BoAq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1n1vudk13701z

[cosplaycorral]

Ready to Kill Bill the week with a little Turnback Tuesday with this lovely Bride Cosplayer @macy_rose How was your weekend? Get to stop by Katsucon or LBCE? Photography by @craigmcnelleyphotography #killbill #killbillcosplay #bride #killbillbride #cosplaygirl #cosplayer #katsucon #katsucon2019 #lbce #lbce2019 #followme #girlpower #yellow #quentintarantino #umathurman #moviecosplay #instalike #conlife #womenstrong #badass #sword #katana #katanasword (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/cosplaycorral/p/BuEwqj8AKiF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ao0t7bqomlry

[stephuhnoids]

My favorite booth at #LBCE2019 ! @shinobistickers! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 Soooo many cute stickers! I spent a good while looking around and had such a hard time picking one.. cause i wanted them all. Be sure to follow then or look out for them at future cons!! Their stickers are great for indoor/outdoor use, come in many sizes, & are perfect for decorating hydroflasks!!! Check them out!! #ShinobiStickers #stickers #stickerdeco #socute #stickerart #supportsmallconventions #LongBeachComicExpo #LBCE https://www.instagram.com/p/BuEju3YA0lc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17od32sj4vhv5

[geeklyfanboying]

"Wow. I could get used to a view like this. Wait. Yep, I'm used to it. Guys, I want a castle." Wore Flynn Rider for LBCE and although the con was rather disappointing, seeing friends and hanging out made coming out worth it. Also wearing Flynn is so comfy and I feel really good cosplaying him Photo @yorkinabox #FlynnRider #Tangled #Disney #Cosplay #LBCE2019 #Flynn #Rapunzel https://www.instagram.com/p/BuCOtk2jKru/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1x5znf6yb82jr

[herowithinstore]

Go higher, further & faster at @longbeachcomicexpo and check out our new Captain Marvel Flight Jacket! Landing very soon! - 📷: @capricefilms - #CaptainMarvel #caroldanvers #geekfashion #lbce2019 #marvel #avengers (at Long Beach Comic Expo) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt_f2gzD88A/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14xgb6sgs09x4

[sharemycosplay]

#Cosplayer @onlyalicat as #GwenStacy at #LongBeachcomicexpo 2019. #cosplay #marvel . . Photo by @boba.fettography . . #sharemycosplay #cosplaylove #cosplayfan #kawaii #GwenStacycosplay #tb #LBCE #lbce2019 #spiderman https://www.instagram.com/p/B-FFSwBjjuF/

[chekicardphoto]

#TheJoker at #lbce2019 #cosplay : @facesbyrachie #longbeachcomicexpo #myInstax (at Long Beach Comic Expo) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu4qRwyDAkA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15i1fx1qpojhx

[angiviper]

#makeupmonday shoutout to @misschrissylyn for putting up with my nonsense to transform me from Beast to Beauty and make a dream cosplay a reality 💕 💜✨💜✨💜 Fun fact: I didn’t spend a penny on this costume. The whole thing was made from scraps and took me about 10 hours total 😱 💜✨💜✨💜 Makeup by @misschrissylyn Paint: @ebaperformancemakeup Lenses: @samhaincontactlenses Photos: @morbidb 💜✨💜✨💜 Support my cosplay by joining the #ViperCorps for as little as $1/month at Patreon.com/angiviper 🐍 Remember tier prices drop at 50 Patrons so get in on the low tiers now and save big 💪🏻 💜✨💜✨💜 #cosplay #cosplaygirl #cosplayersofinstagram #beforeandafter #transformation #cosplaymakeup #bodypaint #starfire #starfirecosplay #teentitans #teentitanscosplay #dccomics #dccosplay #hotcosplay #cosplaybooty #cosplaybabe #cosplaycutie #angiviper #lbce2019 #longbeachcomicexpo https://www.instagram.com/p/BuCngYWgJOm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=40eqe9mui56m

[horatorastudios]

I'll be a guest of Long Beach Comic Expo come 2/16-2/17! More Updates to come up!⠀ #LBCE2019 #LBCE #longbeach #comic #comicartist http://bit.ly/2M78S4v

[cosplaycorral]

Super Saturday with Cortana by @pixiequinncosplay What are you up to today? @katsucon ?@longbeachcomicexpo ? Netflix and chillin? We think we might head on down to the LBC. Photography by @craigmcnelleyphotography for CosplayCorral. FX/Post by @laralunardi #cortana #cortanacosplay #cosplaygirl #cosplayer #gamer #gamergirl #videogame #instagood #followme #gamerchick #katsucon #katsucon2019 #lbce #lbce2019 #geekgirl #blue #halo #halocosplay (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/cosplaycorral/p/Bt9HERMA1ct/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5rc4sd41lopq