A Guide To Queer Events At New York Comic Con
Between drag shows, panels on queer representation, and spotlights on projects like Dragula, here’s your guide to all things queer at NYCC.
Featured Image: Rob Kim/Getty Images for AMC Networks
Queer nerds, listen up! New York Comic Con is hitting the Javits Center again in 2025 from Thursday, October 9, to Sunday, October 12, for four days of nerdy chaos.
In recent years, New York Comic Con has made significant strides in offering programming and safe spaces for the queer community. Not only has the show spotlighted queer creators, projects, and panels, but NYCC also hosts a Pride Lounge. As you can guess by its name, the Pride Lounge is a designated space for the queer community to enjoy special events and get a break from the hustle and bustle of the show floor (and the dudes who don’t believe in deodorant).
Sure, nerd bros love complaining about how “woke” comic books have gotten lately, but they’ve clearly lost the plot. Whether it’s the X-Men’s origin story as a metaphor for the AIDS epidemic or Superman’s status as an immigrant from another planet, nerd culture was built on the backs of underrepresented communities. Don’t even get me started on people who claim that Star Wars (a space opera that hinges on fighting against fascism) isn’t political.
Between drag shows, panels on queer representation, and spotlights on projects like Dragula, here’s your guide to all things queer at NYCC.
Note: Panels are sometimes canceled, and cast members and creatives often drop out of the event for other commitments. This list is subject to change. Check the link on each panel title for the latest info.
Thursday, October 9 & Friday, October 10
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge
Geeks OUT is ready to dazzle the Pride Lounge all weekend, with forthcoming events to be announced. In 2024, programming included a Dominique Jackson meet and greet, a Celebrating Queer Joy in Media Panel, and the Making Queer Games and Making Games Queer panel that’s on this year’s docket. You’ll have to shiver with antici…pation, as they didn’t announce the full programming schedule until a few days before the event last year. Keep an eye on Instagram for the latest.
As for Geeks Out? It’s a non-profit organization that recognizes that queer folks belong in geeky spaces. They rally, promote, and empower the queer geek community through events, advocacy campaigns, and hosting Flame Con (the largest LGBTQ comics and pop culture convention).
Thursday, October 9
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Test your Queer DC Trivia knowledge with the host of the Geeks OUT Podcast.
Making Queer Games and Making Games Queer
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Presented by Gayming Magazine and hosted by Qweerty Gamers, the panel will discuss how Qweerty Gamers are developing and providing resources for LGBTQ+ developers and stories in an unpredictable time in the gaming industry.
GAYSIANS! Visibility, Voice & Victory
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Join LGBTQ+ Asian creators who are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and making space for authentic stories in graphic novels, comics, TV, film, and beyond. Moderated by Erin Quill (actress, writer, Aveue-Q).
Mike Curato Book Signing and Meet and Greet
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Meet and get your books signed by Filipino‑American author and illustrator Mike Curato (Little Elliot, Gaysians, and Flamer).
Misogynoir and Multiverses: A Black Girl’s Guide to Fandom Culture
PRO BADGE REQUIRED
Javits-Level 4 River Pavilion: Pro Stage 2 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Noella Williams (Misogynoir and Multiverses) and panelists discuss the racism and sexism directed toward Black women and femmes (particularly with intersectional identities like being Black, femme, and queer) in the science fiction and fantasy communities.
Guests: Nadira Goffe, Jordan Brown, Noella Williams, Kaitlyn McNab
Pep & Hugh’s Queer History 101 Book Club featuring George Takei
PRO BADGE REQUIRED
Javits-Level 4 River Pavilion: Pro Stage 2 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Peppermint and Hugh Ryan are hosts of a popular podcast on Queer history and books. For this special episode, taped during the panel, the hosts will discuss queer representation in comics and focus on a few comics that are about queer history.
Guests: Hugh Ryan and Peppermint
Friday, October 10
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
A panel discussion with LGBTQ creators on the comic books that helped shape them. Moderated by author Marc Andreyko (Love is Love).
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Sashay away to the Pride Lounge to meet Murray Hill: Drag King, comedian, and host of King of Drag, the first-ever drag king reality competition series. He got his start in the downtown cabaret scene, so expect a big personality when you meet him. He may even serenade you with a joke or two.
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
A panel celebrating the world of Drag Kings. Hosted by Murray Hill.
Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe (AMC/AMC+)
Javits-Hall 1D: Main 6:45 PM- 8:00 PM
AMC and AMC+ present panels featuring the casts and executive producers from two series within Anne Rice’s queer-coded Immortal Universe, including Talamasca: The Secret Order and the new season of The Vampire Lestat.
SNIKT! The Unofficial New York Comic Con After Party
Off-site at Industry Bar (355 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019) 7 PM – 11 PM
Hosted by Geeks OUT , RuPaul’s Yuhua Hamasaki and Harriet Tugsmen, prepare yourself for a wild night of geeky drag, burlesque, and more. Featuring performances by Koko Momo, Avant Garbage, and Jake Apton.
Saturday, October 11
Queering the Con: LGBTQ+ Cosplay Takes Center Stage
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race favorite Megami, this panel unites queens who transform cosplay into high art — and high drama. Cosplay, photo ops, and RuPaul merch sales will directly follow the panel (12:00-1:00 PM).
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Yuhua Hamasaki and fellow drag queens dish out their wildest behind-the-scenes tales from their showbiz adventures. Moderated by Peppermint.
Beyond Boundaries: The Art of Genre Bending
North-Room 409 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Join a slate of genre-bending authors who speak on how they move between fantasy, romance, horror, and everything in between.
Guests: Chuck Tingle (Bury Your Gays), Amanda Foody, Bethany C Morrow, C.L. Herman, Marie Lu, and Veronica Roth
Shudder Presents: Evolution of Queer Horror/Queens of the Dead and Dragula
North-Room 406.3 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Dive into the glam-gore world of queer horror with a spotlight on the second season of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans, with hosts Dracmorda and Swanthula Boulet. The panel will also cover Tina Romero’s Queens of the Dead. NYT critic Erik Piepenburg will moderate the panel that will feature yet-to-be-announced cast members and creatives.
Meet and Greet Queens of the Dead
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Meet the panel and get photos and merch.
Seeing Yourself: Queer Representation in Manga
North-Room 406.1 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Join this panel of queer manga experts as they talk about their own experiences seeing themselves in popular genres like BL and Yuri, while offering recommendations for stories brimming with pride.
Beyond Boundaries – Post Panel Book Signing
Javits-Hall 1A: Author Signing Tables 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Join authors from the “Beyond Boundaries” panel as they meet fans and sign books. Authors will be able to personalize one book and sign up to three. Books will be available for purchase from the Barnes & Noble booth in Hall 1A, adjacent to the author signing area.)
Guests: Chuck Tingle, Amanda Foody, Bethany C Morrow, C.L. Herman, Marie Lu, and Veronica Roth
Queer Love: Holding Space for Authentic LGBTQ+ Stories
North-Room 409 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Join WEBTOON and some of today’s most popular LGBTQ+ voices as they explore how authentic creators are shaping the next chapter of LGBTQ+ storytelling – and why that matters now more than ever.
Divas & Death Saves: A Dragventuring D&D Live Play
Javits-Hall 1E: Community Stage 7:30 PM – 9 PM
This is a 90-minute, live-play, D&D One Shot adventure with a PG-13ish rating. Join a team of four Drag-venturers as they compete in a Drag Race/Dragula/King of Drag-inspired show with a high fantasy twist.
The show begins with lip-sync Introductions to the cast, followed by a mini-challenge with audience participation.
Guests: Big D Fleysher, Cammy Quandary, Henlo Bullfrog, Henry Kramer, Katja Attenshun, and Shirley U. Jest
Javits-Room 1C03 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM
Comics Reading Comics includes panels from classic comic book stories projected on the big screen. Some of New York’s LGBTQ+ stand-up comedians will perform live stage readings of iconic comic book scenes.
Guests: Aidan Ewing (founder of the New York Queer Comedy Festival), Calvin Cato, Bobby Hankinson, Drew Tessier, Flora Manon, Sheria Mattis, Katie Blunt, Kevin Gilligan
Vampire Freaks presents: Vampirism Through the Perspective of BIPOC
North-Room 408 9:45 PM – 10:45 PM
Join Vampire Freaks and a panel of creators to discuss the importance of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ representation in the horror genre. The panel includes giveaways via Vampire Freaks.
Guests: Damian Hex, Delta Major, Jackie from Terrornova, and Kendell Burton
Sunday, October 12
Small Screen, Big Impact: Celebrating Queer TV & Charting the Road Ahead
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Enjoy a panel celebrating the past 20 years of LGBTQ+ television and looking ahead to what comes next. Megan Townsend (GLAAD’s Senior Director) will share brand new research and insights spotlighting LGBTQ+ TV characters and host a conversation with creators and executives about the future of queer storytelling in TV.
The Frights and Delights of Queer Horror Comics
Javits-Room 1C03 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Join creators Tate Brombal, Nick Robles, Che Grayson, and Courtney Menard & Jazzlyn Stone (Tiny Onions) as they chat about their favorite media and their own works of queer horror.
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Join Yuhua Hamasaki for Drag Queen Story Hour. Expect kids’ tales with a twist, as Yuhua explores the comforting and accepting messages these stories provide. It’s geared toward fans of all ages.
Javits-Room 1C01: Pride Lounge 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Yuhua Hamasaki and Megami host a kids’ cosplay competition.
North-Room 409 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Limited Seating
Join actor, activist, and author George Takei for a personal conversation to close out his national book tour for It Rhymes With Takei. Takei reflects on his extraordinary life from internment to iconhood and the power of joy, resistance, and storytelling.
