30 Articles

HELLO HELLO! For me, it all started with “The Hunger Games.” I was a little late to the scene when it came to trendy books, though I was a voracious reader throughout my childhood. But nothing really stuck until I met Peeta Mellark. And when I say “stuck,” I mean I had a cardboard cutout of Josh Hutcherson, watched every movie premier when the clock struck midnight at my local theater, had every fandom-coded piece of merch (like, so many bird-themed necklaces), and even changed my Twitter handle to be @peeta_is_aBAKER for the entirety of my middle and high school careers. Eventually, the hype fizzled, but my inner revolutionary never quite went away. I was catapulted into a fictional dystopian universe that completely shaped how I saw the world, how…

1 min.

HeadCount Has Helped Over 1.2 Million Concert- Goers Register To Vote

Concerts and festivals are a great place to connect with other fans, make memories — and with the help of Head Count — register to vote. Head Count is an organization that meets young and marginalized voters where they already are — at shows and online. Since 2004, the organization has registered over 1.2 million voters and engaged over 60,000 volunteers. The unique approach of partnering with artists (like Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Dave Matthews Band, Panic! at the Disco, and more) allows HeadCount to reach eligible young voters in a fun and accessible environment. “When we connect with a potential voter at a concert, we open the door to democracy through a cultural connection,” Head Count senior director of programming & strategy, Tappan Vickery, says.…

1 min.

Gamers Outreach Brings The Power Of Video Games To Children In Hospitals

Any emergency room soap opera will paint the same picture: Children who are hospitalized lay still, connected to wires and beeping machines in a dimly-lit room, waiting for the worst. While hospitalization can definitely be scary and isolating; these children are still full of life and deserve access to thing’s that make childhood so joyful and explorative: Like an afternoon of “Fortnite” or “Animal Crossing.” Gamers Outreach is a nonprofit that brings top-of-theline tech and gaming equipment to children in hospitals, restoring a sense of joy and normalcy. To do this, the organization created the (aptly named) GO Kart, a portable gaming kiosk that is easy to sanitize, deploy, and develop, so any pediatric hospital staff can set up patients with a place to play. Each of these Karts can…

1 min.

This John Cena Fan With Down Syndrome Fled Ukraine To Meet His Idol

When Liana Rohozhyn had to flee Ukraine with her son, Misha, a non-verbal 19-year-old with Down syndrome, she encouraged him through the journey by saying they were on their way to find his hero, pro wrestler and actor, John Cena. Misha had always been inspired by Cena’s “Never Give Up” catchphrase, and this story of determination helped carry the family to safety, after their home was destroyed in Mariupol. In June of 2022, the two had made it to safety and were staying in a residence outside of Amsterdam when Cena came to visit the family and turn this dream into a reality. Cena had learned of Misha’s story, had some time off, and was coincidentally only an hour-long plane ride away. In a video shared by World Wrestling Entertainment…

1 min.

How To Help Register Fans To Vote

GOOD Set a good example! Make sure you’re registered to vote, and stay up-to-date on politics on a local and national level so you’re prepared for the next election. Visit vote.org for more. BETTER Make sure everyone — regardless of fandom, identity, or political leaning — has equitable access to voting. Donate to Fair Fight to combat voter suppression and more.fairfight.com BEST Volunteer your time to help people register to vote. Whether you love sports, live music, festivals, or anything else, you can find an event to work by visiting headcount.org/volunteer.…

1 min.

Portland Soccer Fans Rally To Fight Sexual Abuse In The Women’s National Soccer League

WE HAVE GOOD NEWS Whether Portland soccer fans are card-carrying supporters of the Thorns (of the Women’s National Soccer League), or the Timbers (of Major League Soccer), it was rare to see either group sitting idly on the sidelines in 2022. Instead, they took to the streets — or lapsed their season ticket statuses altogether — to protest the actions of a former coach and team executives. In 2021, two former Thorns players — Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly — came forward to disclose their experiences of sexual misconduct by former coach Paul Riley. Soon, it was discovered these complaints of harassment were filed when they happened in 2015, and team owner Merritt Paulson was made aware (and did nothing), and general manager, Gavin Wilkinson publicly praised Riley. Fans were…

1 min.

Japan Fans Cleaned Up The Stands After 2022 World Cup Games

Think back to a time you left a large venue after a concert or sporting event, the floors littered with cups, food scraps, or even the remains of a feather boa or beaded necklace. But this doesn’t have to be the norm. During the 2022 World Cup — which indeed came with its own host of problematic news stories — fans of the Samurai Blue, Japan’s national soccer team, stayed behind after a fresh victory against Germany, to clean up the Khalifa International Stadium. The players had barely left the pitch before fans busied themselves, picking up food trays, wrappers, and empty drink cups around the venue. This wasn’t the first time Japan’s fans tidied the stands; they did the same at the World Cup in Russia four years prior…

1 min.

How To Empower Women And Girls In Sports

GOOD Women athletes face discrimination in a number of ways. Check out the LFG documentary on HBO, which tells the story of the fight towards equal pay for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. lfgthemovie.com BETTER Support organizations that uplift women and girls in sports! Check out the Women’s Sports Foundation (womenssportsfoundation.org) and Play Like A Girl (iplaylikeagirl.org). BEST Become a coach or mentor in your community to help girls build confidence, learn lifelong skills, and find their love of the game. Check out your local community center or YMCA for opportunities!…

1 min.

This Mexican Pharmacy Mascot Is Meeting Your Favorite Performers And Doing Good In The Process

A wholesome smile, paired with a bald head and impressive mustache, Dr. Sited has become an icon in the music industry. The mascot represents a chain of pharmacies across Mexico: Similares, which has become an affordable healthcare destination in its 26 years of business. The pharmacy was one of the first in Latin America to make cheap, generic medication accessible to the public, as well as provide on-site consultations in isolated areas of Mexico — and Dr. Simi became a household figure people could trust. These days, Dr. Simi has been captivating audiences on stage with world-famous acts, like Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Coldplay, and more, as fans throw plush dolls of his likeness on stage to show pride in their Mexican heritage. “Dr. Simi has always been…

1 min.

Halle Bailey’s “The Little Mermaid” Is A Massive Milestone For Disney Fans

When the first teaser trailer for the live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” dropped in September of 2022, over one million “dislikes” hit the YouTube video — all because the lead actress, Halle Bailey, is Black. But this racist trolling maneuver was quickly overshadowed by the sheer number of videos posted online of little Black girls reacting to the trailer with unbridled joy — and Disney fans going to bat for Bailey. Disney fans were quick to celebrate the teaser trailer, which was reminiscent of when actress and singer Brandy portrayed Cinderella in 1997, and vowed to contribute to its success in the box office — a signal to media companies that diverse casting is what fans want. “I will be contributing heavily to the success at the box…

1 min.

Dungeons & Dragons Fans Successfully Advocated To Keep The Game Open And Free

Whether you’re a dedicated druid or only know about the tabletop role-play game from the storylines of “Stranger Things,” you’ve almost certainly been introduced to Dungeons & Dragons (DND) at some point between now and its inception in the 1970s. One reason it’s so universally known is because of its history with the Open Gaming License (OGL). Back in 2000, DND became available through Creative Commons, meaning the game could be used to create third-party content by writers who wanted to make their own adventure or campaign setting. In the years following, a number of editions have been released by Wizards of the Coast — which owns and publishes DND — and gamers, streamers, and creators have been able to play to their maximum potential together. This has led to…

1 min.

How To Advocate For Racial Diversity In Your Favorite Forms Of Media

GOOD The easiest thing you can do for diverse representation in media is by consuming diverse media! Show production companies and publishing houses that Black stories matter — and that you want more of them. BETTER Do your part to invest in media made by BIPOC communities. Aside from buying movie tickets and books with diverse stories, donate to Firelight Media, a nonprofit that supports filmmakers of color. firelightmedia.tv BEST Know a brilliant BIPOC writer, filmmaker, or creative entrepreneur? Encourage them to apply for the Rideback Rise fellowship program to invest in their creative careers, ridebackrise.org…

1 min.

Swifties Are Organizing Against Corporate Greed In Their Fight With Ticketmaster

It’s a question that would plague any Taylor Swift fan: Where were you when Eras Tour tickets went on sale? Those who aren’t die-hard fans of the “Anti-Hero” singer were still clued into Swift’s latest round of concert ticket sales, because it was the most widespread Ticketmaster failure the public has ever seen. Ticketmaster (which has merged with concert promoter Live Nation) is estimated to own roughly 80% of the concert ticket market in the country, and fans simply have no other choice but to pay unfair “dynamic pricing” and astronomical fees, while they experience tech failures and exorbitant wait times, if they want to see their favorite artists live. But Swifties know a thing or two about karma. Blake Barnett, one of over 14 million who attempted to purchase…

1 min.

This Organization Is On A Mission To Make The Theatre More Accessible To Low-Income Audiences

In 2022, the average price of a ticket to see a Broadway show in New York City was $133, according to Statista. For marginalized and low-income theatre fans, that cost can be unfathomable. That’s why actors, activists, and theatre fans Sis Thee Doll and Anna María founded Thee Open House Project, a community resource dedicated to making shows more accessible for marginalized artists and audiences. The goal of the project is to “open the house” for folks who would otherwise be unable to afford tickets to live performances. “We want to provide tickets for the passionate artists who deserve to see themselves on stages across the country.” Thee Open House Project’s website reads, “Our hope is that if we combat this specific inequity, we can help people realize their dreams.…

1 min.

An Avid Reader Has Given Away Over 6,000 Books By Authors Of Color

Bookish people come in all forms: Romance renegades, dystopian devotees, or fantasy fanatics among them. But the diversity we see in genres is not often extended to the diversity in the publishing industry, making stories by authors of color even more necessary. Sadly, access to books is another barrier that keeps people from reading new stories, and things like book bans and library closures don’t help. These roadblocks inspired Sofia Akel, an avid reader and race equality specialist, to start her own organization: the Free Books Campaign. Akel started the campaign as a fundraiser in July 2020, donating books to individuals, families, youth clubs, community centers, schools, and charities across the UK and Ireland. All books are purchased exclusively through independent bookstores and written by authors of color. “Books can…

1 min.

How To Keep Fandom Affordable & Accessible To All

ADVOCATE Many of our favorite teams, media, or games are owned by big corporations. But those corporations need us to survive, Use your collective power to fight for fair ticket pricing, ethical labor and manufacturing policies, and more. GIVE Share your resources! If you have the means, donate to funds like Thee Open House Project that help fans access live performances and events. To learn more and contribute, visit theeopenhouseproject.org. SHARE Give what you already have! Donate copies of your favorite books, pre-loved sports gear, or even extra concert posters and merch to other fans who might not be able to buy them.…

3 min.

Three Ways K-Pop Fans (Specifically, The BTS Fandom) Make The World A Better Place

If you somehow haven’t heard the hit tunes “Butter” or “Dynamite” by Korean boyband BTS, their fan community — ARMY — will make certain you do. ARMY (which stands for Adorable Representation M.C. for Youth) make up a well-oiled machine of deeply devoted fans from across the planet. BTS has more YouTube followers than Justin Bieber and more Twitter followers than any other music group in the history of the platform. And despite any language barriers, BTS fans have catapulted the K-pop genre into the global mainstream. ARMY has mobilized fans to vote for fan-decided awards, topple international streaming records, and fill stadiums and livestreams with swaths of people. So, it only makes sense that this fandom is already equipped to organize beyond a sing-along. Here are just three (of…

1 min.

LEARN ABOUT WHAT YOU LOVE: The Best Books, Pods & Documentaries About The Power Of Fans And Pop Culture

A stadium full of boy band fans, box office records, and the demand of a Disneyland FastPass tells us all we need to know about fandoms: There is power in numbers. No matter what it is you love, there is a community of people out there who share the same passions, values, and interests. This unique kind of collectivism makes us more empowered to make the world a better place, to build the blocks of lifelong community and commitment to a sacred, shared human experience. Of course, this requires we intentionally include everyone, dismantle systems of oppression and greed, and continually examine and critique the stories we share. From media scholars, industry leaders, and activists of all stripes, here are a few resources for your foray into fan organizing:…

1 min.

DOCUMENTARIES

“Queering The Script” is a 2019 film that charts the evolution of queerness in media, while demonstrating the extraordinary impact of activism on its many diverse fans, ensuring’ they see themselves accurately portrayed on screen. “The American Dream & Other Fairy Tales” is a film by Abigail E. Disney that weaves together her family’s story, and the stories of Disneyland employees, as she confronts America’s profound inequality crisis. “No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics” by Vivian Kleinian documents the journey of five queer comic book artists (including Alison Bechdel) from underground comic culture to mainstream acceptance.…

1 min.

BOOKS

“Everything I Need I Get From You: How Fangirls Created The Internet As We Know It” by Kaitlyn Tiffany is a look into the history of teen girls superfans on the internet, exploring superfandoms as an incubator for digital innovation, art, and community. “Rethinking Fandom: How to Beat the SportsIndustrial Complex at Its Own Game” by sports writer Craig Calcaterra explores the ethical issues behind the sports industry and provides strategies to reclaim joy and activism in fandom. “Fandom Acts of Kindness: A Heroic Guide To Activism, Advocacy, and Doing Chaotic Good” by Tanya Cook and Kaela Joesph is an actionable resource that highlights the magic of pop culture fans who make a difference through collective action and creativity.…

1 min.

PODCASTS

Shireside Chats: Hosted by Sabrina Cartan, Fandom Forward’s Lord of the Ring’s-inspired podcast on fan activism features cozy conversations with activists, leaders, and writers about the pop culture that moves them. Fangirl Central: A comedic, nostalgic, and insightful show by sisters Amanda and Amber Miller, Fangirl Central explores how fandom is central to identity — especially the cultivation of Black, femme, and queer passion. All Ears: Abigail E. Disney (the granddaughter of Roy Disney), interviews bold thinkers in the world of arts, politics, and academia — exploring the relationships of economics, policy, and art, to fight for a more equitable world.…

2 min.

Geek Girl Strong Creates An Inclusive Wellness Community Inspired By Superheroes

When Robyn Warren was a health and physical education teacher in the New York City public school system, she realized that engaging her students through fan-inspired twists made them a lot more excited about wellness. With Hunger Games-themed gym class games, and language like “single-player and group programs,” she found her own superpower: Helping geeks and nerds like herself evolve their relationships with their bodies and wellness. Warren’s health coaching and wellness brand Geek Girl Strong was founded in 2015 and now operates out of Philadelphia. Her focus is on girls, women, and non-binary clients, intentionally building multidimensional health knowledge in social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, sexual, occupational, intellectual, and physical modalities. While Warren does coach clients one-on-one, she also offers a wealth of workshops, events, Patreon programming, and more both…

2 min.

FAN-MADE MERCHANDISE MAKERS PRIORITIZE CONNECTION OVER CONSUMERISM

Designer Emily Kelley has an ongoing TikTok playlist where she reviews new Taylor Swift merchandise whenever it drops. In one video from 2021, she shows a picture of a black crew neck sweatshirt that reads “Taylor’s Version.” “I do think this is really cute,” she says. “But I could make it for, like, ten dollars, with my Cricut.” Kelley does make Taylor Swift merch, with designs like flowers that represent each Swift album, or a visual representation of every song the singer has ever released. And she’s certainly not the only one. Mashable writer Elena Cavender wrote an article in February 2023 about the rise of “subtle” fan-made mercli, detailing various small businesses from a wide range of fandoms that sell reasonably-priced, handmade mercli that evokes more subtle clues to…

4 min.

These LGBTQ-Affirming Harry Potter Fans Fight J.K. Rowling’s Transphobia With Their Own Magic

AN EVEN BETTER ACCEPTANCE LETTER There have always been flaws with the Harry Potter franchise — racist character names, problematic stereotypes, and allusions to slavery within the text of the books, to start — but the values and community found in the wizarding world have indeed made a positive impact on the lives of millions of diverse fans. However, when creator J.K. Rowling shared a series of transphobic tweets in 2019, fans began to interact with the franchise in a new way: With critique and criticism. Of course, many fans were having nuanced conversations about the series long before Rowling turned into her own version of “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,” but as the franchise rakes in billions with video games, amusement parks, and merchandising to this day, fandom leaders know their community must…

2 min.

THE SUPER POWER OF SUPER FANS

Being a part of a fan community is a powerful thing. A song lyric so pivotal you tattooed it to your body; following the underdog sports team to victory when you had nothing else to look forward to; marathoning all the movies in a beloved series to deepen a relationship with a friend or loved one — all of these experiences of fandom are integral to our culture and communities. These intrinsic relationships to media, culture, and connection are no small bounty; in fact, fan activism and fan culture is widely researched and regarded as a gateway to social justice. Fandom Forward, for example, is an international nonprofit with the goal of turning “fans into heroes by using the power of story and popular culture to make activism accessible and…

3 min.

#FreeBritney

In 2009, Britney Spears superfan Megan Radford learned of a new legal arrangement for her favorite singer, and was rightfully wary. Under this agreement, Spears would be held in a years-long conservatorship without basic rights or autonomy over her life, finances, or career decisions. Nearly immediately, Radford held her own one-woman protest outside a Spears concert, wearing a “Free Britney” t-shirt. “When you really care about a human, it’s not that much bigger of a step to start advocating for her rights,” Radford told CNN. The movement didn’t fully gain steam until about 10 years later, when fans started picking up on more concerning clues about Spears’s conservatorship. They began holding rallies, investigating her social media posts, and learning about the legality of conservatorships in general. Because of their impact…

1 min.

Meet The Founding Members Of The Fan Organizer Coalition!

Co-created by Fandom Forward and Black Nerds Create in 2021, the Fan Organizer Coalition works to foster strong relationships among fan organizers, share and exchange resources, and work as a united effort to build a more equitable world. With a robust library of resources, toolkits, and a guide of best practices in fan organizing, the coalition is an amalgamation of the amazing work so many individual communities have developed and practiced for years. Meet the founding members and organizations of the Fan Organizer Coalition below, and learn more at fandomforward.org/coalition. Katie Bowers - Fandom Forward @fandomforward | fandomforward.org Porshéa Patterson-Hurst & Bayanna Davis - Black Nerds Create @blacknerdscreate | blacknerdscreate.com Alexis Sanchez - Latinx Geeks @latinxgeeks | latinxgeeks.com Jessie Blount & Lark Malakai Grey Hashtag Ruthless Productions @hashtagruthlesspods | hashtagruthless.com…

3 min.

Make Some Noise: 8 Organizations Bringing Gender Equality To The Music Industry

Here’s the thing: Most pro athletes started as sports fans; most Broadway performers started as theatre kids; most chefs started as foodies; and most musicians started as diehard music fans. One of the most magical elements of being a fan of something is how quickly it informs your own life experience — how it empowers you to carve a way to make your dreams come true. For women and gender non-conforming folks in the music industry, paving the way takes a lot more effort than their cis, male counterparts. In 2022, women made up 12.8% of songwriters, 22.3% of artists, and 2.8% of producers in the music industry, according to an annual report from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. So, even if you might be a SZA or Miley Cyrus…

2 min.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Fans & Performers Tell Drag-Ban Proponents To “Sashay Away”

Around the country, LGBTQ+ folks — especially transgender people — are fighting on all fronts to protect their freedom and safety. A number of states have introduced (and, unfortunately, passed) bills that would criminalize drag performances, arguing that such performances are “harmful to children.” Well, most of us know that’s not true. And fans of the hit show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” are especially strong advocates for the beauty, power, and resilience of drag in queer communities. On Reddit, fans have gathered to share why drag — and the show, specifically — have been such a positive influence in their lives. “Growing up with multiple LGBTQ+ influences, I was lucky enough to gain multitudes of exposure to the queer community during my most formative years,” user u/goopedandgagged wrote, after sharing stories…

2 min.

“Heartstopper” Fans Rallied Around Kit Connor After He Felt Forced To Come Out

“Heartstopper,” a story about young queer love, started as a Tumblr webcomic, grew into a graphic novel series, and eventually, a Netflix adaptation, which premiered in April 2022. Young LGBTQ+ fans connected to the story’s many queer characters, including Kit Connor’s portrayal of Nick Nelson, a popular rugby player who befriends a fellow classmate, and a wholesome romance blooms. Off the screen, Connor’s heartthrob status gained him fast fans, many of whom began vocally speculating about his sexual orientation and even accusing him of “queerbaiting” because of his role in the fictional show. This reached a fever pitch when he tweeted: “i’m bi. congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself, i think some of you missed the point of the show, bye” While Connor’s tweet (which has…

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