ABOUT PRISM COMICS
WHO WE ARE
Prism Comics is the leading non-profit, all-volunteer organization supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual and LGBTQIA-friendly comic books, comics professionals, readers and educators. In the 80’s and 90’s LGBT comics and creators were often marginalized. In 2003 a small group of comics fans and professionals gathered together to form Prism Comics – an organization and website where LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly comics creators could network and share their comics and readers could find works that spoke directly to their experiences and lives.
Since then Prism has exhibited at and presented panels at many comics conventions around the country including San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon, New York City Comic-Con, MOCCA, APE, Emerald City Comic Con and more. Prism also participates in events and does outreach to local LGBTQ organizations in numerous cities
In addition, Prism is one of the only organizations in the comics field which awards an annual financial grant to help aspiring comics creators publish their work – The Prism Comics Queer Press Grant. The Queer Press Grant is announced each spring at WonderCon in Southern California.
Comics and graphic novels have become a very popular and accepted medium over the years since Prism was founded. The acceptance of LGBTQ comics, stories and characters has changed greatly. Many LGBTQ comics creators have reached prominence and in both mainstream and independent comics, and every day new creators looking to “speak their voices”. Prism is here to foster all of our LGBTQIA voices and provide a welcoming community of diversity in comics and popular geek culture.
HOW TO GET YOUR WORK ON OUR WEBSITE OR IN OUR PUBLICATIONS
Prism Comics welcomes submissions from both professional and amateur writers and artists. Full submission guidelines can be found here.
Prism Comics welcomes press releases and news articles concerning works by members of the LGBT community in comics, or comics featuring LGBT themes. Prism Comics promotes the works of the LGBT community in comics. It does not endorse such works, explicitly or implicitly, nor any other material or products associated with such works. Any opinions expressed in any News/Press Release items are those of the respective authors. Send press releases to press@prismcomics.org
HOW TO VOLUNTEER
Everyone involved with Prism Comics is an unpaid volunteer who is helping out simply because they want to see Prism’s goals achieved. Collectively, we’ve come up with a lot of exciting ideas for future projects, but we rely on an increasing number of volunteers to help us make those ideas into realities and to come up with even more.
Anyone interested in getting involved should first fill out our volunteer form. This quick questionnaire gives us the essential info and lets us know what your skills and interests are, helping us to clarify how (and how much) you want to get involved.
If you’d like to immediately start promoting Prism Comics in your local community, you can download this informational flyer to help you explain what our organization is all about.
QUEER PRESS GRANT
Prism Comics awards a $2000 grant each Spring to help an independent comics creator publish their work of interest to an LGBTQ audience. Full details on the application process can be found here.
BOARD MEMBERS
- Ted Abenheim, President, Events Chair
- Tara Madison Avery, Treasurer
- Missy Boyd
- Angela Brooks, Social Media Chair
- Kristin Enos
- JD Glass
- Jon Macy, Queer Press Grant Chair
ADVISORY BOARD
- Paige Braddock
- Charles “Zan” Christensen, Founder
- Roger B.A. Klorese
- Colleen Coover
- Howard Cruse
- Tim Fish
- Terrance Griep
- Andy Mangels
- Lee Marrs
- Richard Neal
- Joe Phillips

TED ABENHEIM
President, Event Chair

P. KRISTEN ENOS
Board Member

ELIZABETH BEIER
Board Member

TARA MADISON AVERY
Treasurer

JD GLASS
Board Member

ANGELA BROOKS
Social Media Chair

JON MACY
Queer Press Grant Chair

MISSY BOYD
Board Member
Missy is currently in her senior year at CSUSB pursuing a BA in English Literature and completing a minor in Communications. While attending school, Missy has volunteered for the last five years with Prism Comics at various conventions throughout southern California. In her spare time, Missy enjoys the outdoors by birdwatching and hiking at national and state parks. She has volunteered many hours to preserve and protect local environments for future generations. She loves all things nerd culture the most, however, and welcomes in depth conversations about anything produced by Jim Henson studios or Hayao Miyazaki.
Missy is just a comic book hobbyist, and by no means an expert, however she welcomes and enjoys creativity in all of its forms and believes there is a place for every kind of voice in the world of literature and pop culture.
For her, Prism Comics is more than just a nation-wide distributor of LGBTQ comics. It has become a family of many different types of people who share and foster a love of creativity and her absolute favorite thing about volunteering for Prism is creating a safe and celebratory space where fans, creators and readers can come and feel at home. At Prism, there is a place for everyone, and as a straight supporter, she is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this special group of people.

PRISM WANTS YOU!!
Volunteers are always needed
PRISM COMICS CODE OF CONDUCT
Prism Comics was founded as a welcoming, safe community for LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and asexual) comics creators and comics fans and allies.
Prism is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, religious background, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, body size, physical appearance, marital or partnership status or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws. This dedication applies to our Prism booths, panels, events, signings, website, Facebook, social networking and activity on the internet.
Staff members, creators, volunteers, panelists, visitors to the Prism booths should represent the values under which Prism was founded and respect commonsense rules for public behavior, personal interaction, common courtesy, and respect for private property. Harassing, offensive, confrontational or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated in and around Prism convention booths, Prism panels and other Prism functions and appearances, on the website, internet or anywhere you are representing Prism Comics.
PROHIBITED BEHAVIOR (includes but is not limited to):
- Discrimination or offensive jokes at other peoples’ expense
- Harassment of convention participants, booth participants or volunteers in any form
- Inappropriate touching
- Physical behavior that would be deemed offensive or harmful
- Physical violence or threat of physical violence
- Wearing of t-shirts or clothing that have images or wording that could be deemed offensive or confrontational to any community
- Possession, use or sale of illegal substances or liquor
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Any behavior that endangers the safety of any individual or group
- Posting of inappropriate, discriminatory, offensive or inflammatory comments and materials on the internet
If a person finds themselves in a situation at a comic convention or event where they feel their safety is at risk or if anyone becomes aware of an attendee not in compliance with this policy they should immediately locate the nearest Prism Board Member or Booth Captain so that the matter can be handled in an expeditious manner. If a Prism Board Member or Booth Captain becomes aware of behavior that is prohibited, either by witnessing it directly or it being reported, they may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the booth, panel or activity.
Thank you
Prism Comics