Las Vegas, NV – Over the past 15 years, Queercon has grown from a social group to a complete con-within-a-con at the yearly DEFCON hacking conference. Queercon has grown into the largest social network of LGBTQ hackers from around the world, and offers a space for LGBTQ hackers and allies to come together during DEFCON. Queercon invites diversity and aims to “unite people through patient understanding of each other, including areas like gender identity, sexual preference, lifestyles, and hobbies.” This year, thousands of people attended Queercon events and mingled, partied, and held speaking tracks on many issues related to information security.

Queercon continues to focus on supporting the LGBTQ community within the information technology and security industry, and grows year after year. Queercon is a 501c3 non-profit organization, which operates on donations from individuals and sponsorships from “companies that support the LGBTQ community.”

Unicorn Riot sat down with Jason, an organizer for Queercon, to discuss the con in more detail.

When you and a friend decide 30 minutes before to do ratchet CVS drag and screw choreography. @Queercon #drag #drugstoremakeup #30minutedrag #queercon #defcon pic.twitter.com/HOiC0GYNCa

— Missy LaRue (@Missy_LaRue) August 12, 2018

Never trust @jeffmcjunkin with your unicorn safety. pic.twitter.com/TslRImRdNY

— Andrew Krug (@andrewkrug) August 11, 2018

Still delighted over @Queercon and their amazing badge and inclusiveness. pic.twitter.com/eiMr72UzqI

— wØz (@kainzowa) August 12, 2018

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Written by Andrew Neef & Rachel Weiland