It’s On Like ClexaCon
Pack your bags! In two weeks, ClexaCon kicks off in Las Vegas with a few thousand of your nearest and queerest (soon-to-be!) best friends.
This is ClexaCon’s third year, and it’s grown significantly since 2017. It’s become a one-stop-shop for all the best actors who play queer characters, fandom chit-chat, and getting to spend a few days with people who you’ve probably already sent a million DMs or WhatsApp messages to about #deanoru, #wayhaught, #juliantina, #avalance, #choni, #hollstein, #sydlena, or #clexa (the namesake of the conference) + so many more!
We don’t have time to cover everything happening, so check out the full schedule here to make sure you don’t miss out!
WHAT TO EXPECT AT CLEXACON
It would be impossible to list every amazing thing we experienced last year, so we’re giving a quick rundown of what we think makes ClexaCon truly special.
Mainstage Events
Come for the actors, stay for the inside jokes. Last year’s Lost Girl panel brought the sex as brunch euphemism that’s immortalized forever on Fangirls Shirts (who are also the sponsor of a Fun Run if that’s your thing!).
All of your favorites together on one stage is a big draw, as most other con attendees agree judging by the long lines that form before them. Be sure to account for that when planning your day, but don’t let it stop you from making some new friends while you wait! They’ll be your favorite people when you need to jump out of line to go to the bathroom and have someone save your place!
All the Panels
The panels this year look so good. Seriously, so, so good. Selfishly (one of us is a lesbian romance novelist), we love that there’s a bigger emphasis on lesfic in 2019, but there are also live podcast recording panels, how to build a business, geeking out with other fandoms about your love of the characters, and how to foster more inclusion in the LGBTQ+ world.
Photo Ops & Autograph Sessions
I cannot emphasize enough how cool it is to see every actor who plays a queer character sitting in a row, happily chatting away and signing autographs. It’s such a unique experience, and it really shows how special ClexaCon is and why it matters so much. When you see everyone together, it’s hard to imagine the con is only three years old.
Badges and Beanies and Books, Oh My!
Artist Alley is a space for indie and established artists to meet fans, sell their wares, and soak in the awesomeness of the fandoms for the weekend. Be sure to do at least a few laps through the exhibits since it can be a bit of sensory overload at first with the sheer magnitude of offerings.
But don’t spend too many laps wondering what to get! Many artists sell out completely, so be sure to grab your items as soon as you can!
OUR PREDICTIONS FOR 2019
Expect a Lot of Wynonna Earp
Wynonna Earp is always a huge draw due to the number of cast members in attendance, its great storylines (obviously), and because it’s still on the air — meaning you can conspiracy theory-out on what’s going to happen to your beloved characters.
This year though, we expect a lot of speculation surrounding whether the show will get the promised fourth season (looking at you IDC), as well as how the fandom can best unite to help make it happen. Emily Andras, Kat Barrell, and Dominique Provost-Chalkey will all be at ClexaCon along with the always-down-to-con Earpers, so there will be no shortage of Earper-focused conversation and events.
…And a Lot of Juliantina
The good ship Juliantina is chugging along with full force, although neither actor is billed on the attendee list and the fandom doesn’t have any panel or discussion events scheduled. In spite of that, we’re predicting a lot of conversation surrounding whether everyone’s favorite Mexican ship will be announcing a spin-off in the near future. Fans want it. We want it. And heck yeah we’re going to do what we can to get it! If you haven’t already, sign the petition, and if you’re not up to speed, check out Part I and Part II of our Juliantina articles for a crash course in everything you need to know to get in on the fun!
How to Save #ODAAT
With the recent news that Netflix will not be renewing One Day at a Time, fans have been working diligently to figure out a new home for the show. Expect all the feels as attendees share how much the show means to them as well as some emphatic conversations on what can be done to ensure the amazing show is able to continue.
A Growing Emphasis on Print Works
Last year’s event had a few discussions and panels surrounding lesbian fiction (and some non-fiction), but this year boasts a stellar lineup for everything an aspiring (or published) author could want to attend:
- Strong Women in LGBT Fiction
- Breaking into Book Publishing for Aspiring Writers
- Romance Between the (Book) Covers
- Marketing and Selling Lesbian Fiction
- Creating Inclusive Books & Podcasts
And be sure to check out Artist Alley where a number of indie and established authors will be selling and signing their books!
EVEN MORE Diversity & Inclusion
LGBTQ groups tend to inherently bolster more sensitivity than other groups due to their marginalized status, but ClexaCon continues to become even more inclusive. Below are a sample of just some of the panels, discussions, and events happening during the con:
- Disabled and LGBT+
- More Is More: Polyamorous Representation in Media
- Butch Representation: Invisible Women in Media
- Living at the Crossroads: Intersectionality in Queer Media
- Invisible Latinx Volume 2
- Creating Diverse Stories Without Tokenism
And So Many Fun Events…
This year boasts the largest lineup of additional events to attend while at the con.
- Speed Friending
- Pool Takeover
- Ships & Giggles Comedy Night (Extra ticketed cost)
- Ascension Party (Extra ticketed cost)
- Cosplay Contest
- Breakfast with guests (Extra ticketed cost)
- Academic Lab & Creator Lab (Extra ticketed cost)
GayBaeCo @ClexaCon
Sadly, we can’t attend this year, but we’re still there in spirit! You’ll be able to see one of our Wayhaught and Juliantina videos on the big screen in the lounge, and we want to keep you outfitted with the best lesbian swag possible! Through Friday at midnight PST, you can get an extra 10% off your entire order with the promo code CLEXACON.
If you’re at the event and see our videos or anyone rocking their GayBaeCo apparel, send us a pic or tag us! We’re so jealous of the adventure you’re about to go on!
Linked Content in Article
ClexaCon Links
- ClexaCon website
- Clexacon schedule of events
- Fangirl Shirts Fun Run
GayBaeCo Videos at ClexaCon
- Wayhaught video
- Juliantina video
Juliantina Articles/Content
- Part I — The Evolution of Obsesión: How a Mexican Telenovela is Taking Over the Lesbian World
- Part II — Part II of The Evolution of Obsesión: A Crash Course to the Fantastic World of the Juliantina Fandom
- Juliantina Spin-Off Petition
Other Stuff
- GayBaeCo CLEXACON promo code
