named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
DC Pride 2026 Publishing Initiative
Coordinated release of LGBTQIA+-themed comics and graphic novels during Pride Month, including mainline DC Universe stories, YA graphic novels, and special variant covers.
Justice League: Dream Girls – A DC Pride Event
Four-issue miniseries co-written by Nicole Maines and Jadzia Axelrod, centering on queer heroes Dreamer and Galaxy in a major Justice League storyline.
Queer Creator Spotlight
Interview series highlighting LGBTQIA+ comic creators, such as the tribute to Aaron Reese, writer of the queer witch-themed comic Bytchcraft.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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LGBTQ+ Community Events and Celebrations 3 activities
- Hosting community events and social gatherings for LGBTQ+ geeksOrganizes themed social gatherings and events, including an unofficial New York Comic Con after-party featuring geek-themed drag and burlesque performances, to build community among LGBTQ+ individuals and allies centered around geek culture.
- Maintaining a visible queer presence at geek culture conventions nationwideOrganizes and leads efforts to establish and sustain a visible LGBTQ+ presence at conventions and large-scale geek culture events across the country, including through the Conventions Committee and tabling at events like the LGBT Network’s National Coming Out Day Street Fair.
- Organizing and producing Flame Con, the largest LGBTQ+ comics and pop culture conventionPlans, coordinates, and produces Flame Con, an annual LGBTQ+ comic book and entertainment convention held since 2015, with the tenth edition taking place in 2024 at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel in New York City. Activities include managing exhibitor participation, literary programming, sponsorships, and community-building initiatives such as Campfire.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Operating online platforms and digital content to support LGBTQ+ representation in geek mediaCreates and maintains an online community and produces digital content including podcasts with hundreds of episodes, video editions on YouTube, and author interviews that highlight queer representation and amplify marginalized voices in geek media.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Producing and promoting original queer-focused comics and publicationsProduces and publishes original comic series such as Bytchcraft as a tribute to queer creators, promotes access to these works, and authors graphic novels like Galaxy: As the World Falls Down that center LGBTQ+ themes and characters.
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Membership & Sponsorship Development 1 activity
- Securing sponsorships and supporting grant applications for LGBTQ+ programmingSecures sponsorships and supports grant applications for Flame Con and other Geeks OUT initiatives, including managing fulfillment of sponsorship agreements.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Creating media analysis and spotlight content on queer creators and representationProduces analytical content on asexual and aromantic representation in media, conducts spotlight interviews with independent publishers, and features interviews with LGBTQ+ creators working on major titles for publishers like DC and Marvel.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$231K
Contributions & grants$30K13%
Program service revenue$200K87%
Investment income$5790%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$243K
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$150K
Cash$127K
Investments$0
Liabilities$7K
Net assets$143K
Liquid reserves6.3 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +3.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 9
- JAYSON BENNET — BOARD MEMBER
- KEVIN GILLIGAN — Vice President
- LESLEE FRIEDMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- MIKE MOON — BOARD MEMBER
- NICOLE GITAU — President
- PHOEBE ELLMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- RACHEL GREEMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- SARA MUNSON — BOARD MEMBER
- STEVEN GIANACA — Secretary
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- DC Comics Partner — Collaborates with DC Comics to publish LGBTQIA+-themed graphic novels and comic book series including "Galaxy" and "Justice League: Dream Girls."
- FairSquare Graphics Partner — Featured in a Queer Creator Spotlight interview as a diverse independent publisher.
- Flame Con Network — LGBTQ+ comics and pop culture convention founded by Geeks OUT.
- Flame Con Network — Produces Flame Con, the world's largest LGBTQ comics and pop culture convention.
- Flame Con Partner — Collaborative partner for programming, marketing, sponsorship, and literary coordination.
- GeekDad Partner — Collaborates with GeekDad to share coverage and discussions about Flame Con and its mission.
- LGBT Network Partner — Collaborates with LGBT Network to participate in the National Coming Out Day Street Fair.
- Mad Cave Studios Partner — Collaborated to publish and promote the comic series Bytchcraft.
- Michele Kirichanskaya Partner — Regular contributor and interviewer for Geeks OUT.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Amplification of Marginalized Voices Through Cultural Productionmethodology: amplification_of_underrepresented_voicesBy spotlighting queer creators, independent publishers, and underrepresented narratives in geek media, the organization shifts cultural representation and empowers marginalized voices, because visibility within dominant cultural forms validates lived experience and expands possibilities for future participation.
- Education Through Immersive, Communal Experiencemethodology: education-through-communal-experienceBy embedding historical and cultural education in shared experiential formats—such as themed dinner parties—the organization deepens engagement and understanding of queer history, because participatory, narrative-driven settings make abstract or erased histories personally meaningful and memorable.
- Geek Culture as a Framework for Queer Identity Developmentmethodology: geek-culture-based_identity_developmentBy leveraging geek culture narratives and media—such as superhero stories and fandom spaces—the organization enables queer youth to explore and affirm their identities, because metaphorical resonance with characters and communal storytelling helps externalize and validate personal experiences of marginalization and self-discovery.
- Queer-Centered Fandom Spaces as Community-Building Mechanismmethodology: queer-affirming_community_spacesBy creating and sustaining visibly queer spaces within geek culture—such as conventions, themed events, and online communities—the organization fosters belonging, identity development, and resilience among LGBTQ+ geeks, because shared cultural identity in affirming environments enables marginalized individuals to explore selfhood and build collective power.