Clexacon started in 2017 as an act of rebellion when the writers of The 100 killed off queer icon, Lexa, the year prior. Fans were outraged by yet, another death trope of a queer character in TV and film. Tired of the same tragic endings, the queer community rallied together to create an annual weekend where "LGBTQ+ women, trans, and non-binary fans and creators from around the world" gather to "celebrate positive representation" in hopes that we can collectively work towards creating, producing, and supporting queer content. 

This year the event took place at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, where actors, writers, directors, and creatives from around the country gathered to talk on panels, meet with fans, share stories, and network with other like-minded queer folks. Over the course of three days, panels on diversity, the creative process, empowerment, storytelling, and representation were held while attendees could also get autographs and pictures with talent such as Amy Acker (Person of Interest, Angel), Mary Chieffo (Star Trek: Discovery), Toya Turner (Warrior Nun), and Javicia Leslie (Batwoman). 

As a podcaster, I found Friday's "Podcasting 201" panel particularly helpful because the panelists explained how they grew their audience and made money from their work. Moderator Ellie Brigida (Lez Hang Out, The Flame) led Jackie Monahan (Never Normal, Wild Nights with Emily), Kristin Murison (Lez Hang Out), and Renee Santos (Never Normal) in an extremely informative conversation packed with resources and action-oriented steps. Some of their tips included creating a media kit, making a guest preparation doc, and preparing a press release to send out to potential press, sponsors, and guests. 

With a full Saturday of simultaneous panels, it was hard to choose between so many important discussions. Some of my favorites were "Queering the Documentary," 'Queer BIPOC Representation in Media," and "Queer Representation: The Psychological Impact of Seeing Ourselves in Media." 

Knowing very little about documentaries, I found this panel particularly inspiring because each of the filmmakers discussed how their passions indirectly led them into filmmaking. For example, Lagueria Davis (Black Barbie) shared a story about how her aunt helped create the first black Barbie, which ultimately inspired Davis to create her film Black Barbie. Geneva Faye (Abortion: Add to Cart) was outraged by abortion restrictions and channeled her experience directing and producing into creating Abortion: Add to Cart. I left the panel feeling like I, too, could produce a documentary! 

Our very own Camille Ora-Nicole spoke on a panel about BIPOC representation, where she was joined by Elishia K. Constantine (Out in Love), Kristin Murison (Lez Hang Out), Lagueria Davis (Light in Dark Places, Black Barbie: A Documentary), Clarissa Thibeaux (The Runaways, Gentefied), and Caitlyn Clear (The Flame) to discuss how characters that look like us are ultimately written with harmful and discouraging tropes. Camille noted, "So often queer women of color are the side character and because they're so siloed as the only queer person of color, we don't get to see their full experience. Who are their friends? Who is their family? What does their community look like?" As a queer woman of color, hearing their thoughts left me feeling galvanized to create and sustain QTPOC content. 

The panel on the psychology of queer representation offered us a more scientific reason as to why spaces like Clexacon matter. A panel of four Psychology doctors and experts talked about the positive benefits of being able to grow and develop alongside a character that looks, acts, and feels like us. Dr. Tanisha Ranger commented,

 "I experience this country as having a real lack of empathy for people who are not like ourselves and when you see that (being queer) is just another way to live, another way to be, another way to exist as opposed to something that is deviant or wrong [...] you get to say, 'Well I imagine this person has feeling just as deep and meaningful to my feelings' and you humanize. And that's what stories do: they humanize. And it's important for everyone to be seen as human because when you are not seen as human you are seeing what this looks like in this country." 

All the psychologists expressed that the collective violence, hurt, and hopelessness reflected in negative representation makes a strong impact both on a communal and individual level. A well-written, developed character tackling nuanced obstacles can provide validation, support, and even permission to young queer people looking for a path forward.

I am a creative person attempting to create in uncertain times, so naturally I ended the weekend with" Creating Art in Uncertain Times'' where Hannah Liebreich (Assistant Professor at Furman University), Jett Garrison (4400, These Thems), Kari Alison Hodge (Good Kisser, Dating in Place), and Renee Santos (Never Normal) gave insight into how their creative processes shifted over the course of the past year. Professor Liebreich offered a comforting reminder: "Yes, pivoting is important but also it's ok to mourn that things didn't go the way that we wanted them to." The panelists agreed that though they are successful and continue to create, they often have to remind themselves to take a step back and be human. 

Not only did I walk away from Clexacon learning more about the film industry, but I also got the chance to network with other BIPOC creatives. The panels, pool parties, and nighttime events all provided unique spaces to connect with other queer folks, fans, and self-proclaimed nerds. A first time Clexacon-er, I was impressed by the breadth of talent and vulnerability amongst guests and attendees alike. I drove home to LA from the weekend feeling empowered to continue to rewrite the positive, thriving, queer narrative.