The Ledger Awards’ organising committee took to the event’s Facebook page to today confirm they will not be continuing on with a sponsorship agreement with the Supanova Pop Culture Expo.
“The Ledger Awards Organising Committee would like to advise that last year’s Platinum Sponsor, Supanova, will not be returning for this year’s awards. We thank them for their support and participation in last year’s awards. We are seeking new sponsors at the Gold, Silver and Bronze level to financially support this event and to join several of last year’s sponsors in acknowledging excellence in Australian comics.”
Speaking with Kotaku, the Awards’ Gary Chaloner said the move was due to Supanova’s decision to keep GamerGate figure Adam Baldwin as part of their Sydney and Perth events.
“Hopefully our actions speak for themselves,” Chaloner said, “but the Organising Committee have to make decisions that best reflect the aims and values of the Awards and what they represent.”
Kotaku’s same article also points to two other figures, comic Kirsty Mac and cosplayer Eve Beauregard, asserting that “many” in comic book and cosplay spheres are boycotting the event.
“The argument that we’re being exclusive by being inclusive is vacuous and exactly the opposite of the historical mentality of the creative communities represented at Supanova,” Daniel Zachariou of Supanova offered in reply to Kotaku’s piece.
This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we could earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. Stevivor is an independent outlet and our journalism is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.
