It’s happened to the best of us. You join a Facebook group about women in comics only to find that it’s just a bunch of objectification. You realize: oh…yeah, this group isn’t for me. Or maybe it’s when you’re at a panel at a smaller convention and things start to get awkward because…yeah, I am not the target demographic here.
This is the day in the life of the lady geek.
Lately I’ve seen many people asking about safe and inclusive Facebook spaces for geeks identifying as female. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite groups (in bold) to get started, but I’d like to update this list to include your favorites, too. Give me an email and I will add your recommendations (not bold). And while you’re at it, you might want to take a look the female-friendly comic book stores list on our site.
Please note: These are safe spaces. If a group is women-only, trans-only, PoC (person of color) only, please respect the need for safe spaces so marginalized voices can be heard. Additionally, each group and page has its own rules and tone. Please pay attention. Thanks!
Facebook Groups for Women in Geek Culture
She Reads Comics: Comics, games and everything geek in a respectful and inclusive place!
LARPers of Color: Welcome, LARPers of Color! This group was created to be a safe and positive place for LARPers, roleplayers, cosplayers, gamers, and geeks of color. We face specific issues in our day-to-day lives that we want to express and sometimes, we can receive a lot of backlash because of that. Here, you can safely post your own experiences and stories concerning geekdom and racism without being labeled as an attention-seeker or race-baiter. This group is LGBT+ inclusive, intersectionally feminist, and dedicated to acceptance. Be excellent to each other. Editor’s Note: Not exclusive to PoC, but this is a place for PoC voices to be heard. Respect this!
The LARPettes: The Larpettes – a group dedicated to celebrating the female Larper. We have members from all over the world who want to talk about the amazing world of Larp, and why it has consumed our lives!
Feminist Nerds: For gamers, cosplayers, comic book and manga lovers, all things nerd, and feminist. This is a safe space free of ‘fake nerd girl’ accusations, where we as marginalized people can share our love for nerd culture minus the misogyny.
Women Creating Comics: This group is a place to connect women (18+) who make comics – writers, pencillers, inkers, colorists, letterers, editors, multiple hat-wearers, newbies, veterans, what have you. It’s intended to be a safe place to throw ideas at walls, connect with other creators, maybe even collaborate if the mood is right!
Fangirl Fantasy: CBI’s female friendly sister page. A secure place to discuss comics, movies, television, cosplay, gaming, et al.
Feminists of Color Coalition: This is a feminist space exclusively for PoC to come together and discuss the intersections of race, color, gender, class, sexuality, etc. Editor’s Note: PoC only.
No Sandwiches: Gaming group of people who wish they could make you a sandwich. Literally. INTO A SANDWICH. And put you in the garbage disposal where you belong.
While gaming was the initial focus, the floor’s open for other nerdy topics and hobbies.
This is a CLOSED group. Anyone can find the group and see who’s in it. Only members can see posts.
Men are NOT applicable for membership to this group. Consider it revenge for all those “No Girls Allowed” clubhouses if it makes you feel better. Editor’s Note: Membership is for women only, ICYMI.
Gaming Diversely: * While the primary purpose of this group is to discuss tabletop role-playing games, we acknowledge that tabletop RPG culture has serious problems based in discrimination against marginalized people. There will be occasional discussion of the pain and frustration our members have encountered as people of diversity who play tabletop RPGs.
* As a general rule, assume good faith
* Please be respectful towards one and other.
Gaming Geek Women Provoked: The page where we can find other girls that are gamers, meet up, be open without the intrusion of feeling like we are judged by men. Where we can support one another and truly make female friends that enjoy the same things you do. Gaming, Cosplay, Anime and a drink here or there.
Facebook Pages for Women in Geek Culture
The Geek Initiative (this site’s Facebook page): The Geek Initiative is a collaborative website and online community about women in geek culture. We strive to be inclusive and intersectional.
Los Angeles Women’s Comic Creator League: A Sketch/Work group of Women Artist/Writers/Creators whose aim is to create a safe,nurturing environment to discuss current events, projects & to have fun!
LCS Valkyries: The Valkyries are a group of women all over the world who work in comic book shops!
Black Girl Nerds: A niche site about being a nerdy black girl and why we love it so much.
The Mary Sue: A Guide to Girl Geek Culture.
Women at Warp Podcast: Women at Warp is a twice-monthly podcast where 4 women talk about Star Trek, its representations of women, contributions of women, and other Trek topics.
Women of Star Trek:A family-friendly celebration of the amazing female characters, actors, and creators of Star Trek, and the fans that have been inspired by them!
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