[Con Report] Flame Con 2025

Stepping into the Sheraton Times Square Hotel on Saturday, August 16, 2025, I was greeted by FlameCon’s iconic rainbow arch—bold, unmistakable, and radiating the promise of community. As the world’s largest LGBTQ+ pop culture convention, FlameCon delivered an experience that felt both triumphant and intimate, like walking into a heart that beats for everyone.

The programming landscape sprawled with a wide variety of queer topics. From “LGBTQ YouTuber 101” to the boldly titled “Redefining Gender Roles Through the Omegaverse” (an 18+ panel), the convention offered something for every facet of queer geekdom. Industry professionals weren’t forgotten either, with practical offerings like “The Devils (& Angels) in the Details: Understanding Publishing Contracts” providing valuable insights for aspiring authors.

Saturday afternoon found me captivated by “Monsters in our Closets: Queerness in Horror Media,” a panel that proved to be a masterclass in queer horror discourse. As a huge long-time fan of horror, this panel was a must-see for me. The impressive roster of panelists—Justin Lockwood, Ricky J Duarte, Aria Baci, Bishakh Som, and Sawyer K. Kemp—brought their industry expertise to bear on everything from Gothic literature classics like Frankenstein to contemporary body horror films like The Substance. Moderator Gabe Pitta set the perfect tone with a delightful Weapons horror movie reference at the beginning of the panel, donning a bright red wig that had me thinking “Aunt Gladys!!”

When the floor opened for questions, I seized the opportunity to pose the final query of the session, asking the panelists about the horror film Together and whether they perceived the queerness woven through the narrative despite the surface presentation of a heterosexual couple. While they hadn’t yet seen the film, I made sure to recommend it—and I genuinely hope they’ve had the chance to experience it by now!

As evening approached, those not ready to retreat to hotels or homes could migrate to Fireball, FlameCon’s official afterparty at Industry Bar, one of NYC’s beloved gay venues. While I didn’t stay for the entire party, I made sure to stay for all the performances—a spectacular showcase spanning drag kings and queens, flow artists, and burlesque performers. What impressed me most was the dedication of cosplayers who maintained their full costumes throughout the night, even as I had long since removed my wig. The performances themselves were pure magic, bringing beloved characters to life: Xena and Gabrielle from Xena: Warrior Princess, the Scarlet Witch from Marvel, Ryuko from Kill la Kill, and more.

For younger attendees unable to join the 21+ Fireball festivities, or if partying is not your thing, FlameCon thoughtfully provided Campfire, an all-ages after-hours option running from 8:30pm to 10:30pm on Saturday night. This welcoming space offered games, crafting supplies, book swapping, and more—an initiative I’m genuinely curious to experience if it continues in future years.

Sunday, August 17, elevated beyond a typical convention day as Youth Day, offered free admission to attendees 21 and under. This initiative exemplifies what makes FlameCon special: ensuring that young people can access this safe haven regardless of their financial circumstances, welcoming them into a community that celebrates their authentic selves.

Rather than cosplaying on Sunday, I embraced alternative fashion, wearing a Miss Candyholic dress alongside Bianca—the designer herself—and Sarah and Jen, two other Miss Candyholic models. The alternative fashion community was well-represented at FlameCon, with numerous attendees recognizing and celebrating our Miss Candyholic dresses throughout the day.

My final FlameCon experience was “Queer Nerd Poetics,” a delightful celebration in its eighth year running—and it’s easy to understand its longevity. Moderator Brendan Gillett guided the show while sharing his own poetry, joined by performers Tony Assande, DeeSoul, Liv Mammone, and Jason B. Crawford. Each piece was unique and vibrant, creating a bright spoken word poetry show of all things nerdy and queer.

Before the convention’s close, the exhibitor hall beckoned with its treasure trove of queer zines, vintage collectibles, enamel pins, jewelry, books, fanart, and countless other gems. Our Miss Candyholic squad, upon my suggestion, made a pilgrimage to The Prince Peacock, where we got matching rings before the con’s end. I also couldn’t resist adding to my ever-growing collection of earrings from their booth. They have a wide variety of beautiful earrings crafted from recycled vintage items like chandeliers, plus carefully curated vintage finds including rings and brooches.

If you’d asked me after Day 1 how the energy felt, I would have said it was like the world finally caught up with how queer joy loves to dance. Day 2 revealed something deeper: the space felt more like home with multi-generational magic in conversation. FlameCon felt like a heart you could walk into—and one that welcomed you exactly as you are.

FlameCon 2025 reminded me why this convention holds its place as a beacon for the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re seeking industry insights, creative inspiration, or simply a space where authenticity is celebrated, FlameCon offers a rare and precious thing: a place where queer joy isn’t just welcomed—it’s the main event. I hope to be back at FlameCon again next year!