Charity and Activism Initiatives

Fans of Geek Culture have always had a generous heart and desire to make the world a better place. As various fandoms have grown through the years, the opportunities to use those fandoms for charity efforts and social activist initiatives have increased as well. Campaigns in support of film and television shows often have a charitable component, while the stories these mediums recite often relate to the real world and can be used as catalyst for change – proving that Geek Culture is more than just mere entertainment.

#ReleaseTheSnyderCut

Fans advocating the release of Zack Snyder’s version of the 2017 Justice League film have not only gained publicity but raised funds in support of a suicide prevention charity as well.

Avatar Activism

The 2009 film Avatar inspired indigenous activists upon its initial release, while likewise resonating with environmentalists who saw similarities between the fictional Pandora and Earth.

Black Panther Challenge

Over 400 GoFundMe campaigns were launched in conjunction with the 2018 release of Black Panther, raising funds to ensure that children everywhere could see a genuine black superhero.

Can’t Stop the Serenity

Fans of the television show Firefly and big-screen Serenity continue to make their presence known through an annual fundraiser for Equality Now that is held in cities around the world.

Hunger Action Heroes

A joint venture between Feeding San Diego and the Comic-Con Museum, Hunger Action Heroes raise awareness around hunger and food rescue by integrating the popular arts into their efforts.

Hunger Is Not a Game

Fans of The Hunger Games launched various social activism campaigns that coincided with the release of each film in the series and centered on both hunger and economic inequality.

Justice for Daenerys

The final season of Game of Thrones saw heroine Daenerys Targaryen turn villain, and fans expressed both frustration through a petition and gratitude to the cast via a charity fundraiser.

Muggles for Harry Potter

Efforts to ban Harry Potter books in the early twenty-first century was met with opposition from Muggles for Harry Potter, a collection of students and adults united against censorship.

Salt Lake City, Cosplay and Charity

Members of various Utah-based fanclubs discussed how they combine their love for cosplay with charity as part of the “Cosplayers and Charity” panel at the 2015 Salt Lake FanX.

Superman Is An Immigrant

In 2013, the Harry Potter Alliance teamed with Define American to use the release of the Superman film Man of Steel to highlight immigration issues and undocumented Americans.

The Handmaid Protests

Woman rights advocates began attending protests dressed as handmaids from Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale after the release of the Hulu series adaptation in 2017.

Wizard Rock and Social Activism

The musical genre inspired by the Harry Potter book and film series contains a social activist component not only within its songs but through the charity work of the bands as well.