Everything LGBT at New York Comic Con

It's October, which means that New York Comic Con is about to descend upon the streets of (you guessed it) New York City! In less than a decade NYCC has become the East Coast's largest gathering of pop culture fanatics, and this year continues that trend. The Con pushes forward in growing its television-based programming, with panels focused on New York-based Marvel Studios production Daredevil and the CW's Arrow. Additionally, the Con has created a "Diversity Track" to highlight programming focusing on issues related to the LGBTQ community, gender, and race.

To make itself stand out even more, NYCC has taken the bold move of uniting with fans and stepping up its anti-harassment policies. Female geek blog TheMarySue.com helped to structure the Con's guidelines, while fan-favorite artist Amy Reeder contributed art for signs that will be displayed during the convention. By taking a grassroots approach to stopping harassment, organizers have created an event that everyone can enjoy.

Also of note is that parent company Reed Pop has expanded the festivities beyond a traditional weekend-long convention and begun a "first of its kind" lead-up called Super Week. From October 3rd through the 10th, various venues will play host to 145 lectures, podcast recordings, and other events in preparation for the Con. With all the extra programming, NYCC and Uber have teamed-up to make your commute between Super Week programs that much easier.

Finally, numerous groups host parties outside of the Javits Center during the Con itself, ranging from trivia challenges to all-out dance parties. Overall, the next week and a half will be chock full of geekiness, with lots of opportunities for queers to enjoy themselves!

[All events are located at The Javits Center, 655 West 34th St. in New York City, unless otherwise noted.]

Tuesday, October 7

6:00p
Game Night: Superhero
Rockbar NYC, 185 Christopher St.

The super-hero experts from Geeks OUT and Gay Geeks of New York team up for an exciting night of super-powered film screenings and trivia. Prizes galore for the winning team!

Wednesday, October 8

8:00p
Comic Book Bears Podcast
Rockbar NYC, 185 Christopher St.

The hirsute fanboys from Comic Book Bears bring their unique insight to recent topics in comics. Come for the live DJ, stay for the trivia!

Thursday, October 9

1:30p - 2:30p
Game of Thrones Fan Forum -- Featuring Kristian Nairn & Natalia Tena
Empire Stage 1-E

Featuring the recently out Kristian Nairn, Game of Thrones' Hodor and Osha give you a behind-the-scenes look at HBO's wildly popular fantasy series. Learn details about the upcoming season, including whether or not anyone will take Oberyn Martell's place as reigning bisexual.

2:00p
Doctor Who Comics Panel
1A10

Queer favorite Doctor Who has taken geekdom by storm. Learn about upcoming storylines featuring the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors. Could an appearance by Torchwood's Captain Jack Harkness be in the works?

2:15p - 3:00p
The Mary Sue Presents -- Fight What You Know
1A14

Looking to make your writing more inclusive? The editorial team at TheMarySue.com will help you develop the skills needed to expand the boundaries of your creative output.

3:15p - 4:00p
Saving Indecent Comics
1A01

Over the past several decades, LGBT-themed books have been the target of censorship, including MacArthur fellow Alison Bechdel's Fun Home. Learn how librarians are fighting against literary restrictions and what you can do to help.

3:15p - 4:15p
Bob's Burgers
Main Stage 1-D

With an ensemble cast featuring out comedian John Roberts, it's no surprise that the fan-favorite Fox comedy recently won an Emmy. Learn some of the behind-the-scenes antics of the cast and crew, as well as never-before-seen footage of America's favorite family owned and operated burger joint.

5:00p - 5:45p
TBS's King of the Nerds
1A10

Now entering its third season, TBS's geek-themed reality contest recently featured openly gay contestant, Xander Jeanneret. Find out what's in store next season as Jeanneret moderates a panel featuring producers and hosts Robert Carradine and Curtis Armstrong.

5:15p - 6:00p
#WeNeedDiverse (Comic) Books -- Diversity in Comics
1A01

Focusing on children and teen literature, a team of librarians talk about their efforts to make books more inclusive. Featuring a history of diversity, panelists look to the future of a multicultural literary landscape.

6:45p - 7:45p
Adam West & Batman: The Complete Television Series
Main Stage 1-D

The campy super-hero television classic is finally coming to DVD this holiday season! Original Batman Adam West discusses his role in the historic series, and chats about its influence on comic book culture in general.

7:00p - 7:45p
New York Times OUT and Geeks OUT Presents LGBT in Comics
1A10

What's the current landscape for LGBT characters and creators in comics? Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman), Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie (Young Avengers), Luciano Vecchio (Ultimate Spider-Man), Annie Mok (Screentests), and Noelle Stevenson (Lumberjanes) discuss incorporating queer themes into their work, as well as their experiences in the comics industry.

Friday, October 10

2:00p
NY Minute Dating: LGBT Men
1E03

Looking for love? Check out this session of speed dating for gay geeks.

2:15p - 3:00p
Prism Comics Presents: Women in Queer Comics
1A14

The delightful folks from LGBT geek visibility organization Prism Comics showcases the talent of some fantastic queer women. Moderator Tara Madison Avery (Dirtheads) speaks with Joan Hilty (Bitter Girl), Jennifer Camper (Bitch Magazine), Kristin Enos (Web of Lies), Arial Schrag (Adam), and Elizabeth Fernandez (The Code Crimson) about their perspective on and experiences working in the comic industry.

4:00p - 4:45p
Vulture Presents: Carol Corps and Beyond: The Future of Female Fandom
1A10

Journalist Abraham Riesman speaks with notable strong female creators Kelly Sue DeConnick, Gail Simone, and editor Sana Amanat about the rise of women-centric fandom. Given their stature in geek culture, this is sure to be a fantastic discussion on gender and sexuality in the medium.

5:00p - 5:45p
End Bullying! Responding to Cruelty in Our Culture
1A21

A panel of experts including Matt Langdon, Alice Cahn, Dr. Travis Langley, Ashley Eckstein, Carrie Goldman, and Chase Masterson discuss pop culture's role in ending bullying, with a special focus on LGBT youth.

5:00p - 5:45p
Tribute Panel: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Will Always Kick Ass
1A18

In this special tribute to the beloved television series, a panel of actors, writers, and experts talk about Buffy: The Vampire Slayer's continued influence on genre shows, as well as its impact in the creation of strong female characters.

6:00p - 6:45p
CBLDF: The Battle of New York -- Creativity, Censorship & the Comics Code
1A18

Believe it or not, but New York City was ground zero for Frederic Wertham's homophoic crusade against comic books. Learn the history of his flawed research from a panel of experts, led by advocacy group Comics Book Legal Defense Fund.

7:00p
Queercopia
LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th St.

Local queer book retailer Bureau of General Services Queer Division (BGSQD) presents a panel of diverse LGBT voices. Creators featured include Maria Burnham (Jesus Loves Lesbians, Too), Dylan Edwards (Politically InQueerect), Jeff Krell (Jayson), Amber Love (Holyoak), and Jennie Wood (Flutter).

7:00p
Ask Me Another with Neil Gaiman
92nd Street Y Kaufmann Concert Hall

Prolific author and LGBT ally Neil Gaiman is the featured guest on NPR's popular quiz show, hosted by Ophira Eisenberg.

7:30p
Archer: Discussion/Q&A
Main Stage 1-D

The saucy animated spy show returns to FX for another season. Catch up with the gang's voice acting team, including Adam Reed, the voice of the flamboyant Ray Gillette, and vocal LGBT supporter Aisha Tyler a.k.a. Lana Kane.

11:00p
Rave of Thrones: Kristian Nairn DJ Set w/ Zedd Stark & Trance Rayder
BB King Blues Club, 237 W. 42nd St.

In this Game of Thrones-themed dance party, out actor Kristian Nairn works his magic on the turntable.

Saturday, October 11

12:15p - 2p
Starz Presents Black Sails and Da Vinci's Demons
1A06

As Starz's genre shows begin their new seasons, the cast and crew chat about behind-the-scenes secrets. And who knows -- perhaps Da Vinci's Demons will feature more man-on-man action than ever before.

1:15p - 2:00p
The Mary Sue Presents -- Strong Female Characters: The Women Shining in Geek Media
1A01

The editorial team at TheMarySue.com discusses representations of women in geek culture, including queer females.

2:00p - 4:00p
NY Minute Dating: LGBT Women
1E03

Queer women are invited to mix and mingle in this sapphic-centric speed dating program.

3:00p - 3:45p
So They Say You Shouldn't Cosplay
1A18

As geek culture expands and more people are encouraged to participate in fandom via cosplay, ignorance occasionally rears its ugly head. Learn from a panel of cosplayers on how to combat adversity and help others celebrate their costumed creations.

3:30p - 4:30p
AMC's The Walking Dead
Main Stage 1-D

After years of debate, the "is he or isn't he" mystery surrounding Daryl's sexuality may finally be settled this season. Cast members divulge their hopes and fears for AMC's zombie hit, and you can ask Norman Reedus himself whether or not his character is queer.

3:45p - 4:45p
Da Vinci's Demons Cast Autographing
Autographing Table 12

4:15p - 5:00p
Official Sailor Moon Panel
1A14

The beloved 90s anime series returned to America this year, complete with a translation that accurately reflects the cartoon's queer romances. Viz Media talks about the show's resurgence as well as hints at what's in store for Usagi and friends.

5:15p - 6:15p
New York TimesOUT Presents Geeks, Gaymers and Crossplay
1A24

Over the past several years, conventions have become a place where the LGBT community and other diverse identity groups can reveal their true geek selves. Panelists discuss the rise in LGBT visibility as well as the future of queerness and convention culture.

7:15p
Breaking Good: Addressing World Challenges Through Comic Books and Video Games
1A05

Can geek culture influence society to change for the better? Brian K. Vaughn, writer of the queer fan-favorite Saga, talks with a panel of experts on how comics and video games can influence people to create a more just world.

8:00p
Meet the Lady: Bullets & Bracelets and DJ Accident Report
Union Hall, 702 Union St., Brooklyn

Get out your bracelets and tiaras and be ready to spin into your Wonder Woman costume! Comedian and host Tom Blunt provides a retrospective of the Mighty Amazon's seven decade career, with a special after-party featuring DJ Accident Report and the Warm Leatherettes.

8:15p
Movie Night with Baz Luhrmann: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
IFC Center, 323 6th Avenue

Regardless of whether or not you're a sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has told generations of LGBT folk to "Don't Dream It, Be It." Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann talks with actress Susan Sarandon about the wacky cult classic after the screening.

10:00p
Snikt 3: Fastball Special
Bar-tini Ultra Lounge, 642 10th Ave.

It's time to boogie down and celebrate the queer geek community with the wonderful folks from Geeks OUT!

Sunday, October 12

12:15p - 1:00p
Secret Identities -- Transgender Themes in Comic Books
1A01

Believe it or not, but transgender characters have been a part of comic books since the Golden Age. Creators including Gail Simone (Batgirl) and Morgan Boecher (What's Normal Anyway?) discuss the history of trans* representation and what's on the geek horizon for the community.

3:00p - 3:45p
The Mary Sue Presents -- All On the Table
1A21

Games offer a virtually unlimited range of characters, so why shouldn't there be opportunities for diverse communities to engage and entertain themselves for hours (and days) on end? The editorial staff of TheMarySue.com explore diversity in the industry as well as their favorite characters from the entire spectrum of gaming.

5:30p
Gay Geeks of NY Geek Trivia Gathering
LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th St.

After a week of geek celebration, unwind with the fine folks at Gay Geeks of New York and engage in some friendly trivia competition!