Entering its fifth year, the 2026 Pride Lounge at Emerald City Comic Con came in with a mission: louder, prouder, and bolder than ever. In a time when LGBTQIA+ folks continue to face increasing othering and ostracization, creating a space rooted in unapologetic joy, self-expression, and belonging wasn’t just meaningful—it was essential.
We set out to turn up the volume—but the community? They maxed it out. From jaw-dropping cosplay (including iconic queer figures like Freddie Mercury—click through our Photobooth Captures Carousel below to catch him and others in all their unapologetic glory), to friendship bracelet-making, an art party bursting with top-tier talent and sharp, resonant political messages, high-energy Nintendo Switch gaming showdowns, a wildly fun night of Drag Queen Bingo, and heartfelt notes filling our “Share the Luv” Wall—this year’s Pride Lounge didn’t just show up bold. It showed off.
In between all the fun, con-goers were invited to take pride (and a sensory pause) in our physical Lounge—a thoughtfully designed space supporting people of all abilities and sensory needs. It became a place to rest, reset, refuel, and reconnect with newly made friends—those much-needed pause moments that kept the energy flowing all con long.
If you weren’t able to join us this year, we hope to see you at the next Pride Lounge at Emerald City Comic Con.
For a complete recap of this year’s Pride Lounge events, continue reading below.
Stay bold. Stay beautiful. Stay unapologetically…you.
📸 ✨ Strike a Pose:
Pride Lounge Photobooth Fabulousness!
At the Pride Lounge Photobooth, attendees showed up and showed out—striking poses, serving looks, and fully stepping into their moment. Enjoy our gallery to catch a glimpse of some unforgettable characters who visited us at the Pride Lounge.
💎💖 Building Bracelets & Connections: Friendship Bracelet Making!
For four heroic days, con-goers were welcomed into the Pride Lounge to spend several hours making friendship bracelets. Beads in every color, size, shape, and style filled the creative station—an open invitation to dig in and discover, like hidden treasure, the gems that would bring each bracelet to life.
Through this mindfulness-based, hands-on activity, attendees could ground themselves while sparking new connections—trading bracelets, sharing the meaning behind their creations, or crafting a keepsake that was uniquely their own. Each piece became more than an accessory: a small, powerful symbol of joy and community, and a reminder that pride is something you carry with you—always.
🏁🏆 Mario Kart Klash:
Gaymer Night Gaming Competition!
3…2…1—go! The engines revved and the chaos kicked in. Thanks to our friends at Nintendo, who helped power the night, our Gaymer After Hours Competition returned bigger, louder, and more electric than ever. After some seriously intense rounds of Mario Kart, six champions raced their way to the top—rolling out with bags full of Free2Luv swag and, courtesy of Emerald City Comic Con, a coveted 4-Day Pass to ECCC 2027.
All night long, it was pure, high-energy fun—where friendly competition and a little chaos kept the good vibes going strong.
🐸🌼Flip It, Match It, Win It : Sir Rog the Frog Online Game
For gaming enthusiasts who couldn’t make it to the After Hours Gaymer Competition, the fun didn’t stop there. There was still a chance to jump in, test your skills, and walk away with a prize.
Making its debut in this year’s Pride Lounge, Free2Luv partnered with Emerald City Comic Con to introduce something brand new: “Sir Rog the Frog: Match That Face!”—an online game that challenged players’ memory while serving up plenty of smiles.
With a colorful twist on a classic memory game, participants flipped rainbow flowers to reveal Sir Rog’s many adorable expressions, racing to match each pair. It was easy to learn, deceptively tricky to master, and completely irresistible.
Best of all, players had the chance to earn a limited-edition “Sir Rog the Frog” enamel pin.
Victory came with bragging rights—and, of course, that coveted collectible.
💅👑Serving Looks & Lucky Numbers:
Drag Queen Bingo!
For the third year running, Drag Queen Bingo came all the way back—and bigger than ever. The fabulous Ruby Bouché took the crown for the night, serving a bingo-meets-live-performance extravaganza that had the Pride Lounge singing, cheering, and fully living for every moment.
What started as classic bingo quickly turned into a full-on party, complete with multiple tie-breakers that could only be settled one way: a dance-off. With the energy sky-high and the competition fierce (and fabulous), six lucky winners ultimately claimed their prize packages—each one packed with over $300 worth of goodies.
From start to finish, it was pure drag magic: high glam, high stakes, and a whole lot of fun!
🎨📣Bright Colors, Bold Voices:
Queer Joy Amplified Art Party & Contest
Back by popular demand, our After Hours Art Party returned in full color—kicking off the 3rd Annual “Queer Joy Amplified” Art Contest with an unforgettable night of creativity, connection, and bold self-expression. The Pride Lounge transformed into a vibrant studio space, where attendees grabbed canvases, dove into a sea of art supplies, and brought their visions of queer joy to life.
From powerful, message-driven pieces to playful, expressive designs, the room buzzed with inspiration as artists of all levels showed up and showed out—each creation reflecting what it means to live boldly and authentically.
Every participant was entered into a raffle for the ultimate artist gift pack (valued at over $300), with one lucky winner announced at the end of the night—but the real win? A space filled with color, courage, and community.
With submissions continuing beyond the con, this year’s “Boldly” theme carried far past the canvas—reminding everyone that queer joy doesn’t end here. It’s something we keep creating, sharing, and amplifying every day. Join our art contest and share your queer joy here.
✏️❤️ Messages that Matter: Free2Luv’s “Share the LUV” Wall
Just like last year, our “Share the LUV” Wall radiated with heartfelt messages from attendees of all ages and backgrounds. It became a living exchange of kindness—an open invitation to leave a little LUV behind and to take some with you, through the words shared by those who came before.
At Free2Luv, we believe your words, your voice, your LUV—whoever you choose to love—hold real power. Seeing the wall filled, read, and felt all weekend long was a beautiful reminder of just how impactful that power can be.
Stay tuned for more Free2Luv events and join the movement to spread love, acceptance, and empowerment!
A Special Note to our Readers …The Pride Lounge has become a crucial safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially queer and trans youth, many of whom are provided free access to ECCC as part of a powerful effort to remind them that they are not alone. This life-changing opportunity is made possible thanks to the support of our generous partners, including ECCC Producer ReedPop, who help create a welcoming, empowering space for queer and trans youth to connect, grow, and thrive.
With your support, we can continue to provide this safe haven, along with our arts and mental health programs, to LGBTQIA+ and marginalized youth nationwide.
Thank you for considering a donation to help support our work of empowering LGBTQIA+ youth.
