DnI Con(Diversity and Inclusion Convention), Hosted by the LGBTQIA+ group Gaaays in Spaaace, was this past weekend in the “City Of Brotherly Love” at the Philadelphia Convention Center, and for a Con that was in its first year, it was a rousing success. There did not seem to be a person that didn’t have a smile on their face the entire weekend, This may have been the VERY FIRST Star Trek Convention that lived up to the Vulcan credo of IDIC(Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations). I saw so many member of the LGBT+ Community and all they did was have fun, make friends, and put a positive spin on what a fandom is supposed to be.
With Star Trek actors in attendance, actors from The Orville, LGBT+ themed vendors, a ton of panels and special “away missions” which allowed fans to get up close and personal with various actors, there was so much to do, you really had to plan out a schedule. Every Actor took the time to talk to every guest, Actors were way more personable than I have ever seen at another convention.
One of the really fun “Away Missions” was “Bat’Leth for beginners” with Klingon Chancellors Gowron(Robert O’Reilly) and Martok(JG Hertzler) in full Klingon costumes. You learned basic Bat’Leth moves for both defense and offensive strikes. The Chancellors were giving their seal of apporval for those humans who showed that they could follow directions and use a Bat’Leth as well as a Klingon child.
Another thing I really thought was a great idea, was the fact that instead of simply having rows of chairs for people to listen to panels, and then take questions from the audience, they set up sections of chairs in a half moon shape, and had each of the actors spend 5 to 10 minutes in each section, this allowed everyone to have a bit of intimate time with each actor. It really worked well and was fun to see actors either sitting in a chair, or even on the floor talking to fans, with out having to use a microphone when they answered questions, It is an Idea that more Cons should try out.
Saturday Night there was a big “Gala” attended by most of the stars, it featured music from Bonnie Gordon(Voice of the ships computer in Star Trek Prodigy), she is also an accomplished singer, and Aurelio Voltaire. It was also a time for everyone to celebrate and congratulate Dan Deevy and Richie Hart, who used the Convention as the backdrop for their wedding.
I would share the Voltaire concert, but it is not really fan friendly.
I had the opportunity to interview Bonnie Gordon on Sunday the last day of the Con. She is a person with an extremely bubbly personality and I am so glad i got to make friends with her this weekend.
My last interview was with Sean Michael, who goes by the name of “The Guy With The Gig”, he was offered this gig, by his friend Michael Slamer, and he did a bang up job. Here is my interview with him.
