SF queer comics fest expands, stays free in second year
San Francisco’s queer comics scene is poised for a significant expansion as the Pride in Panels festival returns for its second year this Sunday. Building on the success of its 2024 debut, which drew over 2,000 attendees to the San Francisco Main Library, the biennial event will now include complementary readings, workshops, and discussions on Friday and Saturday.
A Growing Celebration
The festival’s growth reflects a strong community response, according to co-organizer Laura Gao. “The first festival just wowed everyone with how well it did,” she said. Gao, a San Francisco resident and author of “Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American” (2022) and the forthcoming “Kirby’s Lessons for Falling (in Love): A Graphic Novel” (2025), explained that the event has surpassed initial expectations.
Pride in Panels originated from a conversation between Gao and fellow California College of the Arts faculty member Justin Hall, along with Avi Ehrlich, founder of Silver Sprocket, an indie comics publisher in San Francisco’s Mission District. The goal was to create a dedicated space to celebrate the city’s vibrant community of queer comic creators.
Expanding Reach and Support
This year’s festival will feature a dedicated exhibition space on the library’s second floor for artists to showcase and sell their work. Satellite events are also planned at the Balboa Theater and Silver Sprocket. A key component of the expansion is the introduction of mini-grants awarded to 20 comic creators.
Gao emphasized the importance of these grants, stating, “Our No. 1 priority is to get as many diverse voices and stories in the room as possible, no matter the grounds that they start off on.” She added that organizers hope to increase the number of grants available as the festival continues to grow.
Spotlight on Creators
The festival’s Spotlight Panels will feature prominent figures in the queer comics world. Lee Lai, author of the graphic novel “Stone Fruit,” will be featured at 3 p.m., and Rupert Kinnard, creator of “Cathartic Comics,” will present at 1 p.m. Kinnard’s work is notable as the first continuous strip centering on Black characters, including the Brown Bomber, a gay superhero, and Diva Touché Flambé, his lesbian sidekick.
Kinnard began developing “Cathartic Comics” as a student and later found a platform in queer news publications like “Just Out” and LGBTQ+ outlets such as the San Francisco Sentinel and The Bay Times. The strip eventually gained wider recognition in SF Weekly, where Kinnard also worked as an art director. He noted that SF Weekly was the first general publication to feature his work, moving it beyond “ghettoized” queer spaces.
Kinnard, now in his 70s, reflected on the unique voice of his comic, noting its exploration of homophobia in communities of color and racism within the gay community. He believes comics are a powerful medium for informing people about the struggles of marginalized communities, potentially reaching a wider audience than traditional essays.
A Response to Current Challenges
For Gao, the festival’s timing is particularly significant. She acknowledged that marginalized communities are facing increasing challenges, stating, “It can be a pretty scary and harrowing place if you’re an immigrant, if you’re a person of color, if you’re a queer person or trans person, or Black or Indigenous.” She expressed the festival’s intention to provide a space for solidarity and the amplification of diverse stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Pride in Panels?
Pride in Panels runs from noon to 5 p.m. On February 15 at the Main Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco.
Is there a cost to attend Pride in Panels?
The festival is free for both exhibitors and attendees.
Who are some of the featured creators at this year’s festival?
Lee Lai, author of “Stone Fruit,” and Rupert Kinnard, creator of “Cathartic Comics,” are featured in the Spotlight Panels.
What role does community support play in the future of this festival?