Oklacon is canceled, and you might want to call Oklahoma’s Tourism Department.
by Patch O'Furr
Oklahoma Department of Recreation and Tourism: 405-230-8303
Direct line to Dick Dutton – Executive Director: 405-230-8414
Oklacon sounded like a fantastic event. (Here’s interesting coverage from an independent Oklahoma City news blog.)
Now comes sad news that Oklacon is canceled permanently. The reason appears to involve a tangle of prejudice and bad faith, coinciding with a misbehavior incident. It came to my attention via Reddit. More info went out in a final statement that replaces the front page of the con’s official website. I have heard statements from attendees that lead me to share the story, and report their anger and frustration about it. (Editorial comments here don’t speak for the con.)
Here are points and open questions that stood out to me.