DisCon III Apologizes for Military Contractor Raytheon Sponsorship of 2021 Convention and Hugo Awards

Despite the continued successes of marginalized creators at this year’s Hugo Awards, the excitement for the awards soured as attendees learned that DisCon III and awards were sponsored by Raytheon. Raytheon is one of the five largest defense contractors in the U.S. and sells weapons and offensive (in the name of defense) technology to various governments and regimes.

While many expressed concern online and in person, it’s really hard to put into words and numbers how much devastation can be attributed to this private company. SFF writer and 2021 Hugo Awards nominee S.A. Chakraborty wrote on Twitter:

She was right about the defenders. Many were quick to come to DisCon’s (and even Raytheon’s) defense, citing the complicated history of science fiction and the military. We acknowledged it back in December and also discussed a bit broadly how the military (and defense contractors) partner up with entertainment entities outside of books to buffer their public image. And yet, people still make excuses.

While we agree that not all science-fiction has exactly been critical of the military or even fascism, its most memorable stories and sagas reflect on the human and environmental tolls of war. It also provides warning signs and gives space to explore the “what ifs” of the future, and the issues of the present through a new setting (similar to fantasy) as a form of both catharsis, entertainment, and to disarm preconceived notions.

Statement on DisCon III Sponsorship

Five days after the ceremony, Hugo award-winning author and DisCon III chair Mary Robinette Kowal put out an open letter addressing the controversy, apologizing, and taking full responsibility for the Raytheon sponsorship. She doesn’t address the steps leading up to the decisions (which is frustrating) but addresses this omission by stating that it will sound like an excuse.

Kowal notes that DisCon III is donating an “anonymous contribution to an organization dedicated to peace, equal to the amount we received from Raytheon” and that she is also donating to the same organization.

This doesn’t really answer the questions asked as to what price was worth putting Raytheon as a sponsor. However, the DisCon Twitter account noted that the organization will remain private to prevent harassment by those upset people who voiced disgust and horror over Raytheon’s initial involvement at the convention. In many spaces online, the people that feel this way in the SFF or WorldCon are in the minority, but there are several that have already complained about this totally appropriate (and well written) apology.

Kowal’s apology advises future conrunners to develop a sponsorship policy that aligns with the communities values, create a research plan on potential sponsors, and design a “mission and value statement against which to measure actions.” She writes that DisCon III didn’t do that this time around, and the sponsorship conflicted with their code of conduct policy.

What’s stopping this from happening again?

In short, nothing will prevent a future WorldCon from taking a military defense contractor (or a straight-up military force) as a sponsor again. For one, organizations make mistakes, and history rhymes. Secondly, each WorldCon is managed by local chapters. The 2021 WorldCon was named DisCon III (DisCon for short) because it was the third time it was held in Washington, D.C.

While a decentralized approach to WorldCon has many pros and allows each event to be headed by those in that region, it’s also increased the visibility of its stacking issues. Just a few years ago, George R.R. Martin did the “old man yells at sky” for hours while defending old guards of science fiction and downplaying achievements of the Hugos’ big tent approach to fandom. Before and after that, there were similar issues handled to varying degrees by the committees.

What Kowal did after the backlash was the best route, but honestly, this will likely continue to happen if every year a different group is in charge and they can’t learn from each other in a more structured way. Changes can and will happen more easily when the leadership changes, but the will to address con and award issues that mirror real-world harm is a whole other thing entirely.

(via YouTube, image: DisCon III and Alyssa Shotwell.)

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Alyssa Shotwell

(she/her) Award-winning artist and writer with professional experience and education in graphic design, art history, and museum studies. She began her career in journalism in October 2017 when she joined her student newspaper as the Online Editor. This resident of the yeeHaw land spends most of her time drawing, reading and playing the same handful of video games—even as the playtime on Steam reaches the quadruple digits. Currently playing: Baldur's Gate 3 & Oxygen Not Included.

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