The Dallas Comic and Pop Expo comes to the Richardson Civic Center this weekend and has plenty of LGBT content, according to organizer Zach McGinnis.
Among the celebrities attending is David Yost, the Blue Power Ranger.
Yost came out publicly in 2010 and said he left the original series after its third season because he was called “faggot” on the set and endured harassment from writers, directors, producers and crew. At the time he said he was still struggling with his sexual orientation.
After leaving the show, Yost went through two years of conversion therapy, but in 2012, he began appearing again at fan conventions.
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), John Schneider (Dukes of Hazzard) and Mari Deese Hampton (Harold & Kumar) and Black Power Ranger Walter Jones also be on hand.
Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, leads karaoke 8 p.m.–midnight on Friday.
LGBT SciFi Speed Dating takes place on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Creator Ryan Glitch said this is the perfect way for people to meet who aren’t necessarily good at starting a conversation with strangers.
“What’s your favorite movie,” he suggested as a great opening line.
He said each speed date lasts three minutes and at the end of the hour, everyone is matched with a phone number of someone they showed interest in.
Glitch said his straight speed dating has resulted in 10 marriages and 19 engagements. He’s hoping LGBT speed dating will be equally successful.
McGinnis said he’s excited about an art auction Sautrday night that benefits the Wounded Warrior Project. Artists inlcude Phil Hester, Jamal Igle, Ande Parks, Shane Davis and local artist Robert Luedke. Several attending artists will be doing live work that will be auctioned at the end of the evening.
Feb. 28: Doubletree Hilton Dallas/Richardson, 1981 North Central Expwy. Registration at 5 p.m. Karaoke 8 p.m.–midnight.
March 1: Richardson Civic Center, 411 West Arapaho Road, Richardson. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Doubletree Hilton Dallas/Richardson art auction 7 p.m.–midnight.
March 2: Richardson Civic Center, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
DallasComicAndPopExpo.com
