Name: Alex G.
Pronouns: She/Her
Position: Project Meanie
Hogwarts House: Gryffindor
Twitter: @highspeedmerge
Fan Fiction: AO3 & FanFiction.net
Our first Staff Interview is Alex! Why don’t you start us off by telling us a bit about you?
I was born and raised in NY. Nora Roberts is my favorite author. I love concerts, puppies, french fries, sci-fi, horror movies, swimming pools, and my Spotify playlists are an extension of my personality. I’ve been writing fanfic for close to 20 years and subtext is my chosen drug.
How did you get involved with QFX?
I’d known some of the staff for years and met others recently and when I heard what QFX was trying to do, I knew I wanted to help. What QFX is trying to do and be as a queer Con is amazing and anything I could do to help them in their vision, I wanted to do.
There are a ton of conventions out there, some that do cater to the LGBTQ+ community, how do you feel QFX is different?
QFX not only really listened to the queer community in what they wanted and expected from a queer Con, but they really care about the experience for all con-goers and for the guests. They truly want everyone to feel comfortable and seen and in a safe space. They are dedicated to doing this and being transparent about everything. That feels really refreshing for a large queer Con.
Of all the guests that one could possibly ask for, who would you love to see or meet?
My ultimate would be Emily Beecham who played The Widow on Into the Badlands. But the character wasn’t outright queer and I don’t know if Emily is. She is just my ultimate Con guest. But, for a queer Con, I would love to see and meet Hannah John-Kamen from the Killjoys.
QFX has made it quite clear they are all about diversity, inclusivity and accessibility. What does this mean to you?
It means that the space made for guests and for con-goers isn’t dictated by the white hetero-normative able-bodied vibe that seems to permeate all other queer Cons.
We’ve all heard the phrase “representation matters”, but it can ring hollow in our current times. What do you feel or think when you hear it?
It makes me think of sitting home or at a movie theater or play and you see yourself, your friends, and your family. Literally see yourself and those like you. To feel like you aren’t the only person like you but on a grander scale than just your own sphere of influence. I think it helps make you feel like that whoever you are and in whatever ways you identify are okay and “normal” because you can see yourself in everyday things and situations.
If we were sitting in your living room, wanting to watch a show or movie, what are the top five you would recommend we binge?
Top 5...just call this Sophie’s Choice and be done with it. I need a top 25 list. But I will whittle my loves down to 5:
Into the Badlands
How to Get Away With Murder
Gotham
The Haunting of Hill House
Star Trek: Discovery
I might ask for that longer list at another time! I read that you’re a fanfic writer, what are your favorite ships?
The ultimate “how much time do you have” question. But I’ll try to reduce down my enormous list to my ride or dies:
Barbara/Tabitha (Gotham)
Michael/Georgiou (Star Trek Discovery)
Bonnie/Annalise (HTGAWM)
Cara/Kahlan (Legend of the Seeker)
Rachel/Quinn (Glee)
Brittany/Santana (Glee)
Betty/Veronica (Riverdale)
Regina/Emma (OUAT)
To game or not to game… Do you? If so, which systems and what is your favorite.
I do! I LOVE playing video games. I have an Xbox 360 that was my baby until I was gifted a PS4. I haven’t looked back. I did just also get an Xbox One so I could buy Gears of War 5 because it’s one of my favorite game series and I miss it.
Some of my favorite games are:
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
The Last of Us
Life is Strange
The Division 2
Name one thing you do (hobby, quirk, or something else) that people might find odd?
I always say “thank you for your service” whenever I throw things out like toothpaste tubes, body wash, kitchen sponges, etc. I have no idea why I started saying it and I recognize that it is the actual weirdest but I can’t NOT say it now. I also sing to my food or about my food all the time. My sister does the same thing so I don’t feel too weird about it.
Why is your nickname “Project Meanie”? Do you steal all the cookies?
Holly meant it as a joke because I’m supposed to be mean to everyone and sticking to their deadlines. I’m too nice to be a meanie but it’s at least more interesting than project manager.
As a native New Yorker, what is the one thing about the city that you absolutely cannot live without?
The hole-in-the-wall places to eat. And the noise. It’s the sound of life and I love it.
You’re a Gryffindor, but that’s Universal/WB. I have to ask what Disney character would you be?
I’d either be Olaf from Frozen or Rolly from 101 Dalmatians.
Final question, what do you hope people who attend QFX leave saying or feeling?
That they felt safe and happy. That for those three days they were able to be their most authentic selves in a space that celebrated that. I want them to have fun and have the excitement of meeting the guests and making new friends. Mostly, I want them to leave feeling like there’s at least one place where they are accepted with open arms.
Now that you’ve gotten to know Alex a bit more, why not head over to her fan fiction archives and start reading: AO3 & FanFiction.net & follow on Twitter @highspeedmerge.
**Until next time, this is Kimberly “you’re gonna need a bigger boat” Amato, signing off.**