Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

Star Trek and Big FInish star Chase Masterson is producing and moderating a special panel at the United Nations today, March 17th which will be livestreamed between 2.30 and 4 pm UK time.

“Closing the Gender Gap in Entertainment: Systemic Social Change Through Media,” will feature Women’s March on Washington chair Carmen Perez Teen Vogue editor Lauren Duca., Bettina Hausmann, president & executive director of the UN Association, San Diego Chapter; Ravi Karkara, UN Women co-chair, Policy Strategy Group, World We Want 2020; comics icon and inclusivity advocate Gail Simone; Coalition co-founder and award-winning author Carrie Goldman (Bullied: What Every Parent Teacher and Kid Needs to Know About Ending the Cycle of Fear); author and founder of Geek Girl Con, Jennifer K. Stuller; and author Dr. Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy).

“It is a supreme honour to moderate this groundbreaking panel on the intersection of pop culture and women’s equality, as well as its economic implications,” Masterson told StarTrek.com. “Research shows that when more women are hired in entertainment, both on camera and in production, more women’s stories are told, and women are empowered in countless ways. I have always been an advocate for women, but the integrity of Star Trek’s message of equality has resonated with me increasingly due to DS9. The future is a place of unremitting inclusivity. Let’s make that future start now…

“This fact also doesn’t escape me: both as an employee of Quark’s, and then as the wife of a Ferengi, Leeta was never expected to speak out, or to have any strength or voice of her own. She was basically expected to exist in service to men, objectified. But she didn’t conform to those stereotypes. Originally, some people saw Chase in the same way. So, yeah, not bad, for a Dabo Girl.”

The event will be live-streamed on Facebook at the Pop Culture Coalition page and the United Nations Association San Diego Chapter page on Friday, March 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 pm Eastern (2.30 to 4 pm UK – NB Eastern time is only four hours behind the UK at present); it will be archived on those pages.