Name: Holly
Pronouns: She/Her
Position: Director of Programming
Hogwarts House: Gryffindor
Twitter: @everythingclexa
How did you get involved with QFX?
After stepping away from another company I owned, I realized that producing events like this is just something I really enjoy doing and am really good at. After talking with some mutual friends that had similar goals and values, we decided to take it on and jump right in.
There are a ton of conventions out there, some that do cater to the LGBTQ+ community, how do you feel QFX is different?
A lot of the conventions out there create a good platform for fans to meet and interact with their role models and such, but not many of them have the ability to create environments where that coexists along with the ability to interact with their friends as well. We want to learn our attendee’s names and what their passions are, where they come from, etc.
Of all the guests that one could possibly ask for, who would you love to see or meet?
Billy Porter. Hard stop.
QFX has made it quite clear they are all about diversity, inclusivity and accessibility. What does this mean to you?
It means setting the bar for these things higher than most conventions do. We will make mistakes, learn and grow from those mistakes. But if that bar is high from the beginning, for the right reasons, it will change the way people look at conventions and it will change what conventions can do for people. And that is our goal.
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?
The notion that 'Representation Matters’ is very broad and able to speak to so many people for many different reasons. What our youth see around them, whether positively or negatively, shapes their expectations of themselves and others in their life. But it is rare, even in 2019, that the majority of our youth are portrayed consistently in a healthy way, if even at all. The other side to that is that there are people of color, disabled individuals and queer people who have been waiting decades to see themselves on television and/or in film. Characters exist, sure. But again, not consistently and not in mainstream media. So, I would ask, “Does Representation Really Matter?” Of course it does, for me and most of the people who may stumble across this blog. But does it matter to the people with the power to change things? I think that is perhaps the better question to ask.
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?
The West Wing, Sense8, Grey’s Anatomy, The Wire and Game of Thrones, sans season 8. I think. Wait, remove Game of Thrones and add Orphan Black. Final answer.
Considering Mel mentioned pineapple belongs on pizza, how have meetings gone trying to convince her otherwise?
My pizza debating skills do not work on Mel very well.
I have to ask, why do you collect sand? Is it all in one jar? Labeled?
I started collecting sand when I was in college. I didn’t have a lot of money and sand is a cheap (or free) souvenir that I could always afford. I keep them in different bottles and have specimens from exactly 214 places around the world.
Name one thing you do (hobby, quirk, or something else) that people might find odd?
Putting milk in the bowl before cereal.
To game or not to game… Do you? If so, which systems and what is your favorite.
Considering my last gaming console was the Sega Dreamcast, I am a bit behind on things, but I loved Shenmue I and II. Since Shenmue III is coming out on the PS4 soon, I’ll be saving up for that system.
The first time I met you, you were running around ensuring everything was moving along correctly. You hadn’t even eaten and wouldn’t take my protein bar… what makes you want to do something like this again?
I remember that and I have no idea why I didn’t accept it because I’m pretty sure we were all running on fumes at that point. Anyway, organizing and being present at events like these is a ton of work, but it is absolutely worth it if it means people’s lives are being changed for the better.
You’re a Gryffindor, but that’s Universal/WB. I have to ask what Disney character would you be?
Eglantine from Bedknobs and Broomsticks so… still a witch. (And anyone reading this who has NOT seen that movie better fix that now.)
That is an amazing classic, good call! Okay, final question, what do you hope people who attend QFX leave saying or feeling?
That they are loved and that we care.
Now that we’ve gotten to know Holly a little bit better, find her on Twitter @everythingclexa and make sure you watch Bedknobs & Broomsticks.
**Until next time, this is Kimberly “my name is Carol” Amato, signing off.**