These 11 Queer-Friendly Conventions Are the Perfect Place to Geek Out
While the geek community is becoming more and more accepting every year, and most big shows are adding at least some queer content to their shows, these conventions are ALL about us!
Haven Con
The only queer con in its state, this Austin, Texas show is in its 5th year. Like many of the cons here, it is a pan-fandom con, with events ranging from the serious to the silly, all with an eye towards the queer community!
ClexaCon
This Vegas-based con is in its third year, and recently launched a sister event in London. The convention (named after the lesbian couple Clarke and Lexa from The 100) focuses on woman—particularly lesbian and queer woman—in media. It features celebrity guest, panels, a vendors room, and a Vegas vibe with mixers and pool parties.
GaymerX
A queer space that welcomes everyone! This con is for gamers of any identity, while keeping itself a safe space for queer people to feel safe and press forward into their gaming passions. With events in New York, California, and Australia, it celebrates gaming culture around the world.
Rainbow Book Fair
Rainbow Book Fair in New York is a small, literature based con focusing on the queer community. The one-day event features vendors, panels, and authors for you to interact with directly.
WisCon
This long-running Wisconsin con is one of the oldest on this list. It has been going on for years, pushing the boundaries of fandom, and not just accepting, but making a place for queer, female, and POC in the fandom life.
Flame Con
This event in New York City is entering its 5th year as the biggest LGBT nerd event. Created by the organization Geeks OUT, it's NYC's first pop culture queer convention. It has been steadily growing every year, with this year set to be its best.
Geek Girl Con
This Seattle con is an oasis of friendly for all people. Geek Girl Con focuses on making sure everyone feels comfortable at their con, with a focus on woman, queer people, and POC. The con takes place over two days and features events, panels, and lots of cool vendors to interact with.
OUT Con
Featuring drag shows, burlesque performances, an artist's alley, and anything else you could want in a con, this is Florida’s first and largest queer convention! The con pushes for interactivity, creating a safe space for all queer con goers!
Queers and Comics
This one is definitely more on the academic scale of the con scene. This small convention, put on by the California College of the Arts, focuses on the study and discussion of queerness in comics, and how that affects the medium. Prepare for fascinating (but heavier) stuff!
Outlantacon/Gaylaxicon
For its 10th anniversary last year, Outlantacon hosted Gaylaxicon. The two shows combined made for one fabulously nerdy weekend! The event hosts fashion shows and Match Game-style events, along with the normal con content!
YaoiCon
This con is a little more about enjoying gay media than being gay. Focused on the Japanese genre yaoi (manga focused on gay men, generally, for woman), this show happens annually outside San Francisco. It includes all the general anime convention events, with a special focus on an auction of "bishi" (attractive male cosplayers).
