Bronycon 2014

Now, brony is a gender-neutral term to describe all fans of "My Little Pony." It is unclear what an animal fan of the show, like this chihuahua, is called. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Nicole is one of the organizers for the D.C. area Bronies Meetup group and loves making her own costumes. Here she is dressed as Applejack, one of the Mane Six. This portrait was taken at a meetup in February, 2014. (Courtesy Maria Helena Carey)

Courtesy Maria Helena Carey

Phil is dressed as Braeburn, a male character in the show. This portrait was taken at a meetup in February, 2014. (Courtesy Maria Helena Carey)

Courtesy Maria Helena Carey

Kate and Jay met at a Brony convention and will marry this September. This photo was taken at a DC Bronies meet-up, February 2014. (Courtesy Maria Helena Carey)

Courtesy Maria Helena Carey

A Brony in a Fluttershy t-shirt poses for a portrait at AnimeUSA, September 2013. (Courtesy Maria Helena Carey)

Courtesy Maria Helena Carey

The only difference is that bronies are much softer and more furry than many other characters. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Bronies are slowly being accepted as the latest additions to the world of cosplay. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Those who have, scoff that the old show is for kids, and say the revamped version is much smarter. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Most fans at the convention, including Button Man, have not seen the original 1983 series. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Brony culture is specific to the current version of "My Little Pony." (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Bronies were once divided into male fans, bronies, and female fans, pagasisters. Apparently the latter never caught on. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Bronies, adult fans of the animated show about magical ponies that live in a world called Equestria, are relative newcomers to the already robust world of cosplay, or costume play. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Lukas Reynold says he and his dad drove all the way from central New York for Bronycon. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Shunned by mainstreamers and even other cosplayers, bronies tend to keep to themselves and can be distrustful of the uninitiated. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Despite the sparkles, rainbows and ponies, the brony world is not easy to infiltrate. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Bronycon has grown over the years to a weekend-long extravaganza drawing over 8,000 fans from every corner of the globe. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

It started out as a one day event in New York City with just 100 attendees. (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Bronycon 2014 Bronycon is the world's largest convention for and by fans of the animated TV series "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic." (WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano