Dear Brett Cooper: Cosplayers Aren’t Running From Safe Spaces–We’re Protecting Them

Trigger Warning: This article discusses topics including transphobia, antisemitism, online harassment, and references to the Holocaust. Reader discretion is advised, especially for members of marginalized communities who may find this content emotionally difficult.

Respectful Engagement Notice: This article promotes understanding, not harassment. Please do not contact, tag, or message Brett Cooper or any other public figure mentioned here on social media. Direct harassment or personal attacks contradict the values of empathy, inclusion, and respect that this piece promotes.

Since 2014, I've been a cosplayer, and attending major conventions since 2022 has shown me that cosplay is more than just a hobby or art form—it's a community. For many, particularly BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Jewish, neurodivergent, and disabled fans, cosplay offers a space to exist authentically and joyfully, beyond simply bringing characters to life.

Therefore, I felt compelled to respond. My aim isn't to criticize Brett Cooper personally, but to offer a gentle perspective from someone who deeply values this community. I intend to inform and foster understanding where it might be lacking, rather than to attack.

Who is Brett Cooper–and Why It Matters

Before delving deeper, it's important to acknowledge Brett Cooper's professional background. For nearly three years, she hosted The Comments Section on The Daily Wire, a conservative commentary and entertainment platform. In October 2024, she transitioned to launch her own independent YouTube series, The Brett Cooper Show.

At the time of her departure, Cooper was associated with two projects for Bentkey/Daily Wire+: The Pendragon Cycle and Snow White and the Evil Queen. While The Pendragon Cycle reportedly finished filming in Hungary in late 2022, its release date remains unannounced. The status of Snow White and the Evil Queen is even less clear; Cooper mentioned reading her lines for the lead role, but no further production updates have been released, and the project appears to be indefinitely stalled.

While we won't speculate on the specifics, Cooper's exit coincided with broader organizational changes at The Daily Wire, including layoffs and the departure of co-founder Jeremy Boreing. Understanding this industry context is crucial for appreciating why Cooper's remarks about safe spaces and fandom resonated, and why her platform holds significant influence in these cultural discussions.

What “Safe Space” Really Means in Fandom

In a 2024 video titled Cosplayers Need a New Safe Space, Brett Cooper disregarded the concerns of some Star Wars cosplayers regarding Gina Carano’s attendance at fan conventions, implying that we were overreacting or shying away from discomfort.

However, safe spaces within fandom are not about avoiding discomfort; they are about fostering environments where marginalized individuals can take part fully, freely, and safely.

When conventions offer platforms to controversial public figures—especially those with a history of inflammatory or harmful speech—it jeopardizes that sense of safety. Cosplay events are more than just marketplaces or panels. They are venues for artistic expression, connection, and healing. For many, these are the first places where they truly feel accepted.

The Gina Carano Controversy in Context

Gina Carano's controversial presence stems from a series of offensive social media posts in 2021, which led to her dismissal from The Mandalorian. These posts included comparing conservatives to Holocaust victims, mocking trans people's pronoun usage, and spreading conspiracy theories about the pandemic and election fraud.

Her comments particularly hurt Jewish, trans, and non-binary fans and alienated the diverse Star Wars fandom. The subsequent invitations to conventions without public discussion or accountability made many fans feel betrayed. For fans, it was not a matter of political disagreement, but a breach of safety and respect, conveying that their identities were less important than a celebrity's platform.

What Cosplayers Want: Inclusion, Not Censorship

Gina Carano's presence isn't being erased; rather, many fans request that conventions and fan communities be held responsible. Inviting someone with a history of spreading harmful rhetoric—particularly against Jewish, LGBTQ+, and trans individuals—without open communication sends a chilling message to fans who have found their identities within these spaces.

Cosplayers, who often dedicate months or years to perfecting their craft, are not attempting to stifle free speech. Instead, they aim to safeguard the inclusive essence that initially gave cosplay its significance.

Sources from the Community: Real Fans, Real Stories

Fan reactions to Gina Carano's post-firing appearances are well-documented. Geeked Colorado blog, for instance, offers firsthand fan accounts and a timeline of events, including posts like:

• Gina Carano At It Again (2022)
• Fan Expo and Gina Carano At It Again (2024)
• Protesting Gina Carano: Updates

Beyond these blogs, individual fans have directly shared their experiences. A notable example is the Tumblr post, I Went to Gina Carano’s Panel at Fanboy Expo Today, which details how Carano used her panel to air political grievances over discussing her work.

These accounts are not "hit pieces" but genuine stories from genuine fans, and their experiences deserve to be heard.

Accountability Is Not the Same as “Cancel Culture”

Brett, your commentary framed the fan reaction as "cancel culture," yet this interpretation misses a crucial point.

When marginalized communities advocate for their inclusion in decisions across media, politics, or conventions, it's not "cancellation." Rather, it's a demand for accountability and visibility, a declaration that "We are here, and our voices matter too."

Consider Ian Boothby, a comic creator, who quietly withdrew from a Fan Expo event to protest Carano’s platforming. He didn't create a spectacle; he simply showed ally ship by standing with the communities he serves through his work.

An Invitation to Compassion

Brett, if you read this, I want to address you directly, as one creator to another.

Your voice carries influence, and what follows is an opportunity to listen. I don't believe you intend to cause harm; I believe you are speaking your truth. I hope you might also take the time to understand why some of us are speaking from ours.

I invite you to visit the cosplay community. Don't just engage with those who share your views, but also with those who lead vastly different lives: trans teens beaming with joy at their first convention, Jewish fans cosplaying as Leia or Padmé to honor their cultural heritage, and disabled fans who finally feel liberated in their wheelchairs when suited up as droids or Mandalorians.

You may not agree with every perspective, and that's perfectly acceptable. However, listening with empathy is the foundation of genuine connection—and isn't that what fandom truly ought to be about?

We’re Not Leaving-We’re Building Something Better

We don't need a "new safe space," but a deeper understanding of why these spaces matter and how they can be strengthened by empathy and shared values. I hope voices like Brett's and Gina's can join this conversation, not as adversaries, but as participants open to listening and growing. Cosplay is more than just performance; it's about connection, compassion, and community.

Sources & Further Reading

• Brett Cooper’s Original 2024 video: “Cosplayers Need a New Safe Space”–YouTube
• Gina Carano At It Again (2022)–Geeked Colorado
• Fan Expo and Gina Carano At It Again (2024)–Geeked Colorado
• Protesting Gina Carano: Updates–Geeked Colorado
• I Went to Gina Carano’s Panel–Tumblr
• Daily Wire’s “Snow White” Project Status–Niche Gamer
• Additional Information on Brett Cooper
• Information on Daily Wire, and Its Decline, which Includes Information on Cooper's Departure