We have a winner! (All images by Matthew Rettenmund)

After several years of missing it, I attended my first Flame Con — the world's largest queer comic con. It's an LGBTQ+ safe space for lovers of science fiction, fantasy, cosplaying and much more, all stuffed into the Sheraton Times Square.

A stray hair hopper

There was a huge line from early on, and — as with Comic Con — a festive, loving atmosphere.

There were countless booths selling merch and original artwork, rooms for talks and poetry readings, a cosplay center and much more.

One great costume — between them!

I, as I usually do with these kinds of events, came to capture the scene ...

More HERE!