Performer, director, and culture critic Siouxsie Q made her first-ever professional appearance at Norwescon, the Pacific Northwest’s premier science fiction and fantasy convention, engaging fans and scholars alike with insightful commentary on world-building, fandom, and queer identity in pop culture.

Known for blending erotica and advocacy, Siouxsie Q was featured on three dynamic panels, each showcasing her unique intersection of experience in the adult entertainment space and speculative fiction fandom.

She joined fellow creatives on “Women World Builders,” a discussion centered on the iconic works of Francesca Lia Block, author of the Dangerous Angels and Weetzie Bat universe. This panel is now available to stream on Twitch.

On the panel “Before It Was Cool to Be a Gay Nerd,” Siouxsie reflected on her early exposure to polyamory and queer themes through Wendy Pini’s Elfquest and the gloriously unhinged dynamics of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Her third panel, “Fan Love in the Time of Algorithms,” explored the collapse of fan forums and digital communities post-SESTA/FOSTA, a law that disrupted online spaces for adult creators and marginalized fans by gutting Section 230, often referred to as “the internet’s First Amendment.”

“I’ve lived at the intersection of fandom and advocacy my whole life,” said Siouxsie Q. “Getting to speak at Norwescon and share those stories in a space that honors both imagination and resistance was a dream.”

Norwescon is one of the largest volunteer-run science fiction and fantasy conventions in the U.S., offering a space for creators, fans, and thought leaders to discuss literature, art, costuming, gaming, and technology. Though this was Siouxsie Q’s first year as a professional guest, her presence and perspective were clear standouts.

With her depth of genre knowledge and commitment to inclusive discourse, expect to see Siouxsie Q in many more appearances at similar conventions in the future.

• Follow Siouxsie Q on X at @SiouxsieQMedia