Sex Scandal Involving CBLDF's Charles Brownstein Leads to Women's Empowerment Fund
Submitted by kjc on May 2, 2006 - 02:36
"Sex Scandal Involving CBLDF's Charles Brownstein Leads to Women's Empowerment Fund" from The Comics Journal #276, by Michael Dean, Posted May 1st, 2006. Read it while you can - per the disclaimer, "This full story will be online for a limited time. Portions of the online version will be redacted when The Comics Journal #276 hits newsstands."
Some of you may have read about an unnamed female comics creator who was groped and has been getting the run-around with regard to prosecution in "What A Girl Wants #12 - Well Grab My Tit and Call Me Liar!" by Ronee Garcia Bourgeois back in December.
You may have also read Bourgeois' follow-up article in which the victim was identified as Taki Soma and her account of the incident was presented. This is also the article where the Friends of Lulu Empowerment Fund was introduced. It's due to be launched at CAPE this weekend.
Well, The Comics Journal has written the next chapter in this saga and identified Soma's attacker as Charles Brownstein, head of the CBLDF, in an extensive and detailed article.
I first found out about these things through the fabulous Diva of comics, Lea Hernandez, in her livejournal. Props to Lea and everything she does, from pointing out the sexism in the comics industry to advocating on behalf of her kids.
By the way, everybody:
by Gordon McAlpin - 05/03/2006 - 11:29
By the way, everybody: Brownstein has issued a statement in the most recent Lying the Gutters.
Multiplex is a twice weekly humor comic about the staff of the Multiplex 10 Cinemas and the movies that play there.
Don't give up on the CBLDF
by kjc - 05/02/2006 - 19:37
I don't have a webcomic, so I run a CBLDF banner as part of my payment for my regular column "The Webcomic Reader."
I haven't pulled them as my banner yet. But if the CBLDF doesn't handle this as professionally as possible, I might still change that.
We NEED the CBLDF. I am a member, have been a member for years. I believe in what they do. I just hope they live up to those ideals.
I'm also a member of Friends of Lulu. I recommend supporting that organization and their new fund as well.
Re: KJC says "Don't give up on the CBLDF"
by EricMillikin - 05/03/2006 - 11:16
[quote=kjc]I haven't pulled them as my banner yet. But if the CBLDF doesn't handle this as professionally as possible, I might still change that.
[/quote]
Hey, what do you mean by "as professionally as possible"? Do you think they haven't handled this professionally so far? Or are you thinking more towards how they should handle things if this goes to trial?
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Fetus-X is the greatest comic in the world.
Read a few of the articles on this...
by Xaviar Xerexes - 05/03/2006 - 12:37
...and it doesn't seem like CBLDF has done anything, but be professional about it. It's been reported that their board of directors hired an outside law firm to investigate the issue in response to finding out about it. Presumably they have acted on the results of that investigation - the fact that they are not publicly releasing the details of that investigation is probably a wise decision - privacy rights and employment law are particular about how you handle these things.
I wouldn't presume to sort out the facts of the matter regarding the alleged assault based on news reports -- but in lieu of an ongoing police investigation or a trial CBLDF hired a third party to do an investigation and sort it out for them. I don't know what else folks would expect the CBLDF to do at this point in time.
What am I missing here?
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Xaviar Xerexes
I am a Modern Major Generality.
I run this place! Tip the piano player on the way out.
Nobody's missing anything...
by kjc - 05/04/2006 - 02:06
Neither of you are "missing" anything. I'm pleased that the CBLDF is handling this professionally so far. If things change, and the upright behavior was a smokescreen to brush everything under the rug, then my opinion of the organization will change.
Okay
by Xaviar Xerexes - 05/04/2006 - 09:42
Sure that makes sense.
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Xaviar Xerexes
I am a Modern Major Generality.
I run this place! Tip the piano player on the way out.
Guys, guys (and ladies,
by Gordon McAlpin - 05/02/2006 - 14:08
Guys, guys (and ladies, though none have posted yet). The CBLDF does good work -- crucial work -- for this industry. We need the CBLDF. We do NOT need an asshole running it, though. Brownstein should absolutely be removed from his position 'til this is resolved (OUTSIDE of the court of public opinion), and upon that resolution, appropriate steps should be taken, but this in no reasonable or logical way affects, sullies or undermines the work that the CBLDF as an organization has done, and I hope that any of the creators who have worked with the CBLDF feel the same way. Please keep them separate.
Multiplex is a twice weekly humor comic about the staff of the Multiplex 10 Cinemas and the movies that play there.
I don't disagree that they
by tombrazelton - 05/02/2006 - 17:25
I don't disagree that they do importatnt work. I continue to support that, in spirit.
Theater Hopper -::- Comics about movies every Monday, Wednesday and Friday -::- http://www.theaterhopper.com
Yeeeesh!
by Ghastly - 05/02/2006 - 13:54
It's a pity that all the good work of the CBLDF and Charles Brownstein have been sullied by a night of gross stupidity and inebriation. 27 is still pretty young and young people tend to be prone to do stupid things like get stupidly drunk and make stupid decisions. Let this be a lesson to everyone. One night's stupidty can end up costing you your repuation, your respect, your career, and if you're stupid enough to get behind the wheel even your life. It can even cost the reputation of anyone associated with you.
I had accidently let my CBLDF membership laps (you know how it is, you get busy). Now with this issue unresolved I actually feel uneasy about renewing it. Me! The guy who draws dick-girls and tentacle monsters... while sober even!
Fair point about being young
by DAJB - 05/02/2006 - 14:05
Fair point about being young and the "one night of gross stupidity" if that's what it was but, at least according to Ronee's blog, this guy has a history of such behaviour ...
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... He has been young for
by rezo - 05/02/2006 - 14:11
... He has been young for his entire life!
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It doesn't matter what
by Seth Fronzoli - 05/02/2006 - 11:25
It doesn't matter what business or industry it is, behavior like that is completely uncalled for. Brownstein should be removed from his position and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
This makes me ashamed to carry my CBLDF Membership card in my wallet.
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SO! That's the guy who needs
by djcoffman - 05/02/2006 - 08:31
SO! That's the guy who needs a square punch in the face?
Duly noted.
DJ Coffman
yirmumah.net
I am in sincere agreement. I
by tombrazelton - 05/02/2006 - 09:19
I am in sincere agreement.
I met Taki at Wizard World Chicago. She's a wonderful person, an excellent artist and funny as all get-out. When I read the original account of her story, I was infuriated.
Now we have a face and a name.
Theater Hopper -::- Comics about movies every Monday, Wednesday and Friday -::- http://www.theaterhopper.com
Not that it matters, but I
by djcoffman - 05/02/2006 - 09:44
Not that it matters, but I publically called on this fuck to step down from his post on my forum. While I don't condone masked men sneaking up on him and throwing him a blanket party, I think it would be best served for him to step down and remove his name from GOOD organizations. This really puts a giant shit stain on the CBLDF, and for them to pay to have this guy go around to other shows, fuck that. Not that I'm even saying someone else would happen... but it COULD. And that's enough for me.
I don't know Taki personally, even though I've met her at shows and have known her in passing on the Bendis board over the years. I know one thing, she has no reason to lie or make the story up. Someone suggested to me at Pittsburgh Comicon that she made it all up, and I had to school the person.
DJ Coffman
yirmumah.net
I think it's very important
by tombrazelton - 05/02/2006 - 12:35
I think it's very important that Brownstein be publicly condemned on every level. So the fact that you called for his removal on your forum is totally appropriate.
In fact, I'm thinking of sounding the same call to action.
Obviously the CBLDF tried to keep a lid on this with their internal investigation and not sharing their findings. I think the offer of making a donation to charity in Taki's name was about as pat and insulting a solution as one could imagine.
They tried to BUY their way out of this!
Theater Hopper -::- Comics about movies every Monday, Wednesday and Friday -::- http://www.theaterhopper.com
H R Puffinstuff! Just when
by The William G - 05/02/2006 - 08:24
H R Puffinstuff!
Just when comics are starting to stop being viewed as the medium of deviants..
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The William G - Romantic Drama, Post-Apocalyptic Monsters, and More Comic Experimentation
Oh, man, I totally called
by TCampbell - 05/02/2006 - 03:17
Oh, man, I totally called this. I can't believe people thought it was that ACTOR guy.