Pride in Panels is dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices, particularly LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists in San Francisco. Our organization was built from a shared vision by three founders: Avi Ehrlich, Laura Gao, and Justin Hall. We come from different backgrounds and represent different aspects of the local LGBTQ+ comics community, from artist to publisher to educator, but united behind a need to support the entire, vibrant SF LGBTQ+ comics community, increasingly under threat of displacement as costs rise and sales opportunities decrease.
Our flagship program, the Pride in Panels Queer Comics Festival, showcased over 100
LGBTQ+ and BIPOC creators through tabling, panels, and comic readings. Of the artists we
supported, over 30% self-identified as trans, nonbinary, disabled, a student and/or an elder.
Recognizing the financial strain on LGBTQ+ creatives in an increasingly expensive city, we’ve
committed to free participation—no tabling or attendance fees—ensuring access for all artists, regardless of financial means.
PiPFest’s founders are deeply embedded in the communities we serve, with over 20 years of
experience creating and publishing LGBTQ+ and BIPOC comics in San Francisco.
