A Brony is an adult male fan of the children’s animated TV series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. (Adult female fans are called Pegasisters.) The series is the fourth generation of the show and follows the adventures of six main ponies: Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity. Each pony represents an element of friendship: loyalty, generosity, laughter, honesty, kindness, and magic. Together they help the residents of Ponyville while working through the highs and lows of friendship. (I should know, I’ve seen every episode.)

The Brony community, in the Bay Area and all over the world, is a direct reflection of these six characters. Fans see parts of themselves in each pony and have developed a deep connection to the show. It has bred an entire community that exudes genuineness. People dive into discussions on the forums, share artwork, remix songs, make and sell pony merchandise, and write their own spin-off adventures. It’s a hub of creativity and friendship.

With all the positive things to be said about Bronies, it’s one of the few fandoms that has yet to be accepted by the masses. Bronies are often stereotyped as homosexuals or pedophiles, and most keep their love of the show a secret out of fear. (There are numerous stories of Bronies being harassed and assaulted.) That’s why BronyCons are so important to the fandom. It’s a place where Bronies can be themselves, free of judgment. There, it doesn’t matter your age, race, gender, or size.

With this photography project, I document some of the Bronies and Pegasisters in the Bay Area. It’s an ongoing project and could take years to complete. Here, I share a glimpse of the local community.