Posted on July 29, 2020 at 12:13 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek
If you’re burned out on open letters from authors, we apologize — but we do have to share one from science fiction writers.
More than eighty of them have signed a missive that objects to a Saudi Arabian city’s bid to host the 2022 World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon).
The letter expresses deep concerns about Saudi Arabia’s policies, in particular its oppression of minorities (women, LGBTQ, and Shi’a among them), its key role in Yemen’s devastating civil war, and its complicity in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Additionally, the letter points out that many members of the sci-fi community would be unwelcome in Saudi Arabia because of their sexuality, nationality, or religion.
WorldCon’s website lists only two bidders to host the 2022 event: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Chicago.
You can read the letter, which was sent to WorldCon 2022 chair Norman Cates, in Locus magazine.
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