Storytelling emerged as a powerful tool of resistance at FlameCon 2026

Over the summer, Flame Con returned to New York City and once again offered the LGBTQ community respite and resilience against ongoing political violence. From Aug. 15-16, attendees experienced drag comedy, panels, and art that boldly expressed queer and trans experiences. Through storytelling across multiple art forms, the LGBTQ-centered convention used joy, creativity, and community in these dark times.

Books were a significant motif across the two-day convention, held at the Marriott Marquis New York in Times Square. Alongside author signings of free books called ARCs, or accelerated reader copies or the next to final draft before publication, FlameCon itself now offered for its second year a Queer Little Library, where attendees exchanged free LGBTQ literature. Phoebe Elman, a co-organizer of the convention and the library, told Gay City News that the library started in response to the ongoing banning of LGBT books, notably in the wake of the HB 7661 and The CHARLIE Act that would remove all queer and trans literature from public schools and libraries.

"I genuinely feel like queer books save lives and for people to feel seen," she said. "If our government is not going to highlight and celebrate queer stories and people, then we are." [caption id="attachment_65255" align="aligncenter" width="700"] The Queer Little Library.Rohan Zhou-Lee[/caption]

On the floor of vendors, fan art to unique pieces were available. Among them was Chad Anderson, who runs the X-Men-themed podcast Graymalkin Lane and recently published his graphic novel, "Gay Mormon Dad." Anderson's memoir not only tells his story growing up in the All-American religion, but also reveals the importance of sharing one's story for the sake of buliding community.

"I have a child that came out in the last few years as gender-queer," Anderson said. "There has never been a more important time for queer safety and telling stories and learning from our history and learning how to love yourself."

Other reading as resistance resources included the Queer Liberation Library table, an online and growing hub of LGBT literature for all ages. Just down the way, another table offered non-profit Role 4 Initiative, which provides the storytelling role play game Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) to LGBTQ low-income youth. It's founder and executive director, Travis Bourgeois, started the program two years ago and now partners with NYCHA in Coney Island and Hudson Valley to help queer and trans children imagine something better than the current political climate.

"D&D can give us a bit of an escape from the reality that we're dealing with right now," said Bourgeois. "We all need an escape center." [caption id="attachment_65257" align="aligncenter" width="700"] On stage at FlameCon 2026.Rohan Zhou-Lee[/caption]

Perhaps one of the most unique experiences of almost any comic con was Flame Con's first ever zumba class set to Soca and Dance Hall music. Supa Soca, founded and run by Jelani Maleeq, combines queerness, cosplay, and carnival fete culture to celebrate bodies through dance fitness. Their intention was to create a space for joy amidst the homophobic culture and policies rampant in both the Caribbean and The United States, reminding people of their super powers through the magic of Soca. "I just wanted to put something together that celebrated freedom and liberation," they said.

Maleeq's team comprised of Christopher Troche, Jamie P.M., Sherrod Williamson Full, and Jennifer Hart. For Troche and P. M., it was their first time at Flame Con. For others, Maleeq's creative response to systemic suppression inspired them to create this first chapter for both Flame Con and Supa Soca. "This is bringing that joy of movement and inclusion where we should be celebrated," said Troche. "It’s a beautiful thing to have everything come together,” said Hart. "To bring that love, bring that energy, and celebrate with people," added Full. "If we don’t start it who will?"

It wasn't lost on the team that presenting Caribbean culture in the white-dominated cosplay scene can be difficult, but not daunting. "It's not always the most welcoming space," said Maleeq. "To be able to protest with my body is a wonderful thing to do."

At the FlameCon Fireball after party, drag artists told the stories of some their favorite nerdoms, including RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 star Megami as White Diamond from Steven Universe. Others included Godiva Romance as Storm from X-Men, Majlo Blu, Agent Wednesday, Jess And, Gameboy Pocket, and Vape Kid, Jr. At the end of the show, Megami told the crowd, "The powers that be aren't going to save us. We have to save each other."