Yaoi-Con

Yaoi-Con is an annual three-day anime convention for fans with an interest in yaoi-related anime, manga, and other aspects of Asian culture. It was founded in 2001 and typically takes place during the month of October in or near San Francisco.

Programming
As with other anime conventions, Yaoi-Con has panels and workshops (with a yaoi twist), a 24-hour video room, a manga library, swap meet, a Dealers' Room filled with merchandise, a cosplay Masquerade and an anime music video contest. In addition, Yaoi-Con holds a fan fiction contest, Bishounen Bingo, and its extraordinarily popular Saturday night fundraising Bishounen Auction.

Each year Yaoi-Con sponsors at least one Japanese yaoi mangaka as guest of honor. And, as yaoi publishing expands in the U.S., the companies who attend Yaoi-Con have become interested in bringing guests with them. Guests of honor usually participate in question and answer/autograph sessions as well as sketch sessions where they demonstrate to attendees how they produce their work.

Because of the adult nature of its theme, Yaoi-Con requires all attendees to be 18 and checks the legal ID of all attendees upon registration. As of 2003, 85% of Yaoi-Con membership are female, and they are mostly heterosexual.

Convention reports

 * Yaoisuki's reports on the industry panels at the 2006 Yaoi-con
 * "Yaoi-Con 2005: A Celebration of Female Fantasies," by K. Avila, Sequential Tart, Dec. 2005
 * "Yaoi Con No. 5," by C.N. Scott, Sequential Tart, Dec. 2005
 * "Yaoi-Con draws "Boys Love" Fans," by Ian Brill Publishers Weekly, Nov. 2005

Yaoi-Con In the Press

 * "Brokeback Manga," by Chris Maunter, The Patriot-News, March 2007
 * "He loves him, she loves them," by Vanessa E. Jones, The Boston Globe, April 2005