The Gay Comic-Con Is Here With Anne Rice, Naked Firefighters

Bent-Con, the premier convention celebrating LGBTQ contributions to pop culture, kicks off today at the Los Angeles Burbank Marriott Convention Center in Burbank, Calif. In addition to the wide range of exhibitors to be found on the convention floor, the queer geek celebration boasts a robust programming schedule this year including a cosplay costume contest, a presentation on Wonder Woman’s BDSM roots (“The Kink in the Golden Lasso”), and several panels on the state of LGBT representation in comics and pop culture. A slew of special guests are also slated to appear throughout the weekend including superstar artist Phil Jimenez, actor Sean Paul Lockhart (Brent Corrigan), and best-selling author Anne Rice. Here are the four Bent-Con gatherings we're most excited for:

FRIDAY, 9 p.m.: Nude LAFD! (Live Action Figure Draw)
Life drawing workshop with Bent-Con cosplayers and Miguel Angel Reyes, Tom of Finland Foundation Life Drawing Workshop Coordinator; Phones/Tablets collected, Traditional drawing/ sketching/painting only. (Sorry, no photography!)

SATURDAY, Noon: Sex, Drugs & Superheroes: Full Exposure
David Reddish’s groundbreaking novel on the happenings of Comic-Con, its subculture, and queer component continues to make headlines two years on, with a new audiobook format and the coming release of Sex, Drugs & Superheroes: The Graphic Novel. Join Reddish, celebrated TV writer and novelist Rasheed Newson (The 100, Army Wives), and graphic artist Jackson Eather as they discuss the transition from prose to graphic novel, collaborating via social media & the internet, promotion of the comic, as well as the state of gay geek culture. Get the latst news on other projects, including Eather’s Walking With Dinosaurs stage show, and Reddish’s much-anticipated gay-Christian themed novel The Passion Of Sergius & Bacchus, and even a surprise or two!

SATURDAY, 3 p.m.: LGBTQIA and the Furry Fandom
Have you ever wondered what a furry is? Maybe you wondered how someone got into furry or you just want to ask some questions. This panel is comprised of LGBTQIA furries who will be happy to share their experiences and answer some of those tough questions. This panel is hosted by Vidwulf, co-chair of Califur a furry convention in Irvine, CA and a pansexual furry; and Oggywolf, a two-spirit, lesbian furry; and other special guests.

SUNDAY, 5 p.m.: The Dinner Party Show! With Featured Guest Anne Rice
Award-winning author and New York Times best selling novelist Christopher Rice and critically acclaimed novelist Eric Shaw Quinn host The Dinner Party Show. In an hour that is sure to be full of humor, sexiness, and even (perhaps?) a spoiler. With our Bent-Con attendees as their audience, the fantastic duo will present The Dinner Party Show with special guest Anne Rice on the eve of the launch of her new book.