Sparks turn to flame when they are fed with Knowledge. Courage. Power. To IGNITE means to awaken the power we hold when mobilize and act in solidarity. Last year, Cal Q&A held the first Queer & Asian Conference in 6 years. Bloom (2025) was a call for new beginnings, reflecting our hopes to cultivate a warm community for queer Asians and our allies.But how do we foster hope when we are under attack? When our neighbors are being displaced, assaulted, and arrested, and when queer and trans rights are being stripped from our hands? When our tax dollars and tuition are funneled into weapons of war and genocide?None of this is new. Our people have been in this fight for generations: we must carry forth their torch with humility and dignity.We gather here not only to name injustices, but to equip ourselves with the tools to confront them. Our hope is for QACON 2026 to serve as a catalyst. By learning from and continuing the work of our elders and ancestors, we IGNITE the spark of our collective political consciousness and foster a space for open dialogue.The moment we IGNITE is the moment when we find strength in our collective power and mobilize in solidarity with all oppressed peoples. Only then can we begin to build the power necessary for lasting systemic change. May all of us IGNITE the flames of liberation.
ABOUT QACON
The first annual Queer and Asian Conference at UC Berkeley was started in 2008 by the Cal Queer & Asian (Cal Q&A) club on campus. For 12 years, QACON was an annual celebration of queer & Asian identity, empowerment, education, leadership, and community through workshops, performances, storytelling, and activist speakers. Following the 12th annual conference in 2019, QACON experienced a five year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent loss in Cal Q&A's leadership continuity and capacity. In 2025, QACON was revived in "BLOOM." A year later, we continue to rebuild and rework the conference in this new political moment.
Transgender activist Pauline Park delivering keynote address at QACON 2025
EVENT DETAILS
ITINERARY
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00 - 9:00 am | Registration |
| 9:00 - 9:30 am | Welcome Address |
| 9:30 - 10:30 am | Workshop 1 |
| 10:30 - 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 - 2:30 pm | Workshop 2 |
| 2:30 - 4:00 pm | Storytime |
| 4:00 - 5:00 pm | Short Film Workshop |
| 5:00 - 6:00 pm | Alumni Panel + Mixer |
| 6:00 - 6:15 pm | Closing Remarks |
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Info coming soon!
WORKSHOPS
Info coming soon!
MAP
Info coming soon!
CONTACT
Have a question about registration, opportunities, partnerships, or donations?- Email: [email protected] for all general inquiries.-Instagram: @calqacon for updates and announcements.
DONATE
How your donation helps:
- Empower LGBTQ+ Asian students in community building, political advocacy, education, leadership development
- Directly support speakers, workshops, and programming for QACON
- Creating safe space for queer and Asian students and community membersHow to donate:
Click the link below, enter "Cal Queer & Asian" for "Student Organization (UC Berkeley Org being paid)"