Four years ago, when Emerald City Comic Con approached us with a bold mission: to create a Pride Lounge and wellness space at Emerald City Comic Con, we knew this needed to be more than just a room — it had to be a dynamic hub of connection, creativity, and self-expression. And so, Free2Luv’s “Be You” Pride Lounge was born, founded on four guiding pillars: community, connection, self-expression, and, of course … LUV.
While originally envisioned as a safe space for LGBTQ+ attendees, the lounge has always welcomed all allies and adventurers eager to share in the celebration. Over the years, our team has worked tirelessly to transform it into a center for creativity and belonging — a place where attendees can recharge, form meaningful connections, and express themselves freely. Through collaborative group murals and individual art pieces, every contribution adds to the space, which doubles as an art gallery.
By day, the lounge offers a peaceful retreat, where guests can unwind in comfortable bean bag seating, engage in calming activities like drawing, or enjoy classic board and/or Switch games before embarking on their next con adventure. By night, the space comes alive with vibrant energy, hosting friendly competitions, lively celebrations, and shared moments of joy.
Now a beloved con destination, the “Be You” Pride Lounge continued its tradition of excellence in 2025, welcoming thousands of attendees, including local LGBTQ+ youth groups from across Seattle, into a space filled with creativity, camaraderie, and PRIDE.
If you missed out, fear not! We’re here with a super-powered recap of all the unforgettable moments –
Friendship Bracelets: Assemble!
For four heroic days, the Pride Lounge transformed into a bead-filled haven of creativity and connection!
With the room overflowing with bracelet creators, it was a cosmic whirlwind of friendship and creativity! From the Power Puff Peeps (a gender-neutral twist on the Power Puff Girls 💖💙💚) to a fearless squad of Final Fantasy Security Forces and even an entire Pokémon family — fans from all walks of life came together in bracelet-making bliss.
Beads were flying (sometimes literally!) as strangers became bracelet-bound BFFs, crafting colorful keepsakes to remember their ECCC adventure. Whether they were channeling their inner Sailor Moon or leveling up like Link, everyone left with a piece of friendship magic!
Gaymer Showdown: Rainbow Road to Victory!
When the sun set, the Pride Lounge powered up for its After Hours “Gaymer Competition”, drawing a crowd of pixelated warriors ready for battle. The game of choice? Mario Kart!
Racers went wheel-to-wheel in fierce rainbow-fueled showdowns, all vying for the ultimate prize: A mini tie-dye Jansport backpack (stuffed with epic goodies including swag from our friends at L’Oreal) + complimentary tickets to ECCC 2026!
Shoutout to our 6 victorious champions who crossed the finish line in style! And a mega thanks to Nintendo’s volunteer heroes for keeping the competition running smoother than ever, and our friends at L’Oreal for the gift bag goodies.
Queer Joy Amplified: Art Party Power-Up!
For the first time ever, the Pride Lounge leveled up with an After Hours Art Party, thanks to the incredible support of Seattle Pride! This art-powered extravaganza also marked the soft launch of Free2Luv’s 2nd Annual “Queer Joy Amplified” Art Contest — an epic celebration of creativity and self-expression from the LGBTQIA+ community!
The evening featured TWO art competitions:
- Original Character (OC) Art Contest: Artists brought their wildest creations to life, with the winner scoring a rainbow basket of pro-level art supplies — including Paul Rubens watercolors, Faber-Castell colored and graphite pencils, Canson mixed media sketch pads, Ohuhu acrylic markers, and more!
“Queer Joy Amplified” Art Contest: With submissions open through June 30, 2025, this year’s theme — “Louder” — calls on artists to make some noise with their creativity! More information on the contest, including eligibility requirements, how to submit, & prizes (airline tickets, cash prizes, & more!) that await selected winners can be found on the Free2Luv website here.
Drag Queen Bingo: B-I-N-GOALS!
For the 2nd year running, Drag Queen Bingo was the undisputed ruler of the Pride Lounge, with the line snaking through the Seattle Convention Center as eager fans vied for a spot.
The fabulous Ruby Bouché reigned supreme, delivering a bingo-meets-live-performance extravaganza! As hundreds of bingo hopefuls dabbed their cards, the room erupted in spontaneous singalongs — belting out lyrics “Oh, we’re halfway there…” signaling that victory was near.
Like our glorious Gaymers, in the end, six lucky bingo winners took home a rainbow tie-dye Jansport adventure packs filled with rainbow goodies, L’Oreal swag, plus ECCC 2026 tickets.
“Share the LUV” Wall: Your Voice Has Power!
This year, the Pride Lounge added an extra layer of love with the “Share the LUV” Wall — a new, interactive feature designed to inspire and uplift!
We believe your voice holds the power to spark positive change, and we wanted to create a space where attendees could leave behind messages of encouragement, empowerment, and hope for others. The result? By the end of Emerald City Comic Con, the wall was overflowing with messages of LUV, each one a unique spark lighting up the journey for someone else.
It was a testament to the incredible energy of the community — a reminder that a single message can ripple out and create a wave of positive change.
Until Next Time, Super Friends!
From rainbow racers to bracelet bandits, art-powered avengers, and bingo royalty, the “Be You” Pride Lounge was once again a safe, joyful space for self-expression, creativity, and connection. We can’t wait to see you at ECCC 2026 for even more epic adventures!
Stay tuned for more Free2Luv events and join the movement to spread love, acceptance, and empowerment!
[A Special Note]: The Pride Lounge has become a crucial safe space for LGBTQ+ 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 like ReedPop and Seattle Pride, who help create a welcoming, empowering space for queer and trans youth to connect, grow, and thrive.
With additional funding, we can continue to provide this safe haven, along with our arts and mental health programs, to LGBTQ+ and marginalized youth nationwide.
If you’d like to stand with us in supporting these youth, we invite you to make a donation here.
