Crossplay: gender- fluid cosplay

Crossplay

A subset of gender fluid cosplay is surging to mainstream prominence.

BY NILE FORTNER

At its roots, cosplay is about freedom of expression, choice, escapism, and embracing creativity. Adi Rodrigues understands that more than most. The cosplayer, content creator, workout enthusiast, and fitness model, has cosplayed various female characters such as Harley Quinn and Wonder Woman.

“I love those characters,” said Rodrigues. “But cosplay is what you make it and we have the power to make it whatever we want.”

However, at Megacon 2021, she cosplayed as the caped Kryptonian, Superman; a favored and marketable character that since 1938 has always been seen with the classic characteristics of a man. Yet, Adi sports the suit in makeup, long loose hair feeling therapeutic as it tousles in the wind, chin held high, and power posing just as strong as the men.

“When I was dressed as Superman at Megacon, a little kid, probably about four, ran up to me,” said Rodrigues. “And asked if I saw Pennywise. My heart was full and it was rewarding to have that moment and to be welcomed.”

Across the country, these conventions like Megacon, offer an explosion of pop culture and community events for fans of comic books, movies, video games, and animation. At these conventions and events, it’s common to see people don colorful costumes, put on fanciful makeup, and embody characters from all branches of culture.

“Cosplay is two words combined, costume and play,” said cosplayer Alexis Graboski. “But it’s more than that because it’s a creative outlet. It’s a way for fans to express love and express themselves.”

For cosplayers, sometimes it’s more than just dress-up when the costumes and characters they choose are a form of identity.

Since 2013, 24-year-old Alexis Graboski (they/them) has been cosplaying at comic cons, events, and related organizations. However, since they were a child they’ve been making costumes and sewing.

Taking that interest in sewing and costumes, Graboski would later attend the college-level fashion school program, Design and Architecture Senior High, in the Miami Design District. Eventually, going to Brooklyn, New York, and earning their BSA in Fashion and Design.

“The first time I offcially cosplayed was in 2013,” said Graboski. “But I remember being nine years old and being Princess Serenity from ‘Sailor Moon.’”

Adi Rodrigues (@theadirodrigues) as Hippolyta from Wonder Woman. Adi Rodrigues as Superman. Custom Superman suit by Curtis Atelier of @jcurtis_atelier

Usagi Tsukino, better known as Sailor Moon, is a fictional super-heroine who is the main protagonist and title character of the ‘Sailor Moon’ manga series. She is a carefree schoolgirl who can transform into a variety of powers.

While watching the show, Graboski thought to themself what it’d be like wearing the clothes of the character and the astounding world.

“Yeah, but it was something I resonate with, Sailor Moon’s character,” said Graboski. “She believes in kindness and love above everything. That’s something I try to bring in my day-to-day and it’s my personal philosophy. Especially with how hard and rigid our world is.”

Even with the similar interests and the freedom the hobby can provide, there’s also Transphobia, Homophobia, and bullying.

“There’s definitely the darker part of it,” said Graboski.

Bullying over body image, or because they don’t t the same race, gender, or size, as the character they are portraying.

“For my Princess Serenity [cosplay] I didn’t shave my armpit hairs because I’m a non-binary person,” said Graboski.

Once Graboski posted that picture on social media, they were blasted with negative comments, hateful speech, and a target for internet trolls.

“They’ve even reposted it on their Instagram Stories pointing and laughing,” Graboski said. “People need to realize there is a person behind that screen that has a life outside of dressing up as a character. Cosplay doesn’t have to be 100 percent accurate to the movie or comic book. It’s what you make it.”

Robert Rayneri is a content creator for the cosplay community with his YouTube channels, Not So Serious Show and Static Realms. Much like Graboski, Rayneri believes the cosplay community should be allowed to break barriers and have forms of creative expression.

“Ignore the naysayers and strive into new territory,” said Rayneri. “With the shows and working with people regardless of gender, size, race, or anything, I like to think I can help break barriers in all mediums.”

Similarly, Crossplayers are a subset of individuals within the cosplay community that is now surging to mainstream prominence with its subversive interpretations of traditional male and female characters. People often felt constrained by gender norms, but a wave of gender rebels emerged from these conventions to push the barriers and explore the depths of identity within the geek community.

Since 2018, Adi Rodrigues has been a cosplayer breaking barriers and like Graboski, Rodrigues’ cosplays represent her personality traits. Before her days as a cosplayer, Rodrigues struggled with her weight, tipping the scales at almost 300 pounds. Once she was 14-years-old, she wanted to better her health physically and mentally.

“Like She-Hulk is the epitome of my weight training,” said Rodrigues. “Or Hippolyta, doing what’s right even though it may be hard.”

Rodrigues, who has also cosplayed as Black Widow, Cheetah, and Captain America, realizes some fans may pressure cosplayers to be exact look-alikes. But her Superman cosplay is more about the characteristics of the character than the gender.

“It’s creative reinterpretation and a chance to broaden the opportunities,” said Rodrigues. “The cosplay community I’ve come across is welcoming to that regardless of gender. I still had people wanting to take pictures with me as Superman, group pictures, and it’s a chance to be your own superhero.”

Both Graboski and Rodrigues have taken their cosplay talents outside of Florida with Rodrigues going to New York and Graboski to London. They also both believe that no matter the profession, community, or branch of culture, there shouldn’t be any room for bullying.

“Like the characters, the heroes, go on the path that’s always right,” said Rodrigues. “Cosplay is what you make it and we have the ability to make it more than just what you’ve only seen from this one point of view of sex, race, or anything. It’s about women supporting women, men supporting women. It’s all-inclusive. Everyone should support one another regardless of what people say, do, and how they want to categorize you and live by that.”