You are out there. I KNOW you are. I even know some of you. Brony. What’s a “brony”? Defined:  boys and men who like the cartoon “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic”.

“BronyCon Summer 2012″ was held last week in New Jersey and drew over 4,000 men, women, boys, and girls. Like any good “Con”, many dressed up as their favorite My Little Pony.

Bronies say they’re a misunderstood lot who’ve gotten a bad rap from the media. They’re all about the show, friendship, love and tolerance, and they have no bad intentions, they say.

Outside the convention center, young men danced and sang along with songs from My Little Pony cartoon that blasted from loud speakers as a video screen on a large truck showed the show’s characters. One observer said it almost felt like a Grateful Dead concert.

Inside, vendors sold stuffed ponies, pony accessories, pony signs, pony hats and just about every pony item imaginable. Stars who do the show’s voices signed autographs and gave speeches.

Lauren Faust was on hand, hired by Hasbro and  creator of the “Friendship is Magic” series.

“We live in a society where saying that something is for girls is the equivalent to saying that something is stupid, or saying that something isn’t worthwhile,” Faust said.

“I think that’s awful and I think that kind of attitude needs to be changed,” she said. “And these men are doing it. … They’re proud that they’re forward-thinking and modern enough to look past this misogynistic attitude.”

Faust said she, like the Bronies, is disturbed at the negative images some people have about men who like the show.

If you are a Chicago (or anywhere else, for that matter) Brony, know that you can stand proud, without shame. The Brony legion is growing and will soon take over THE WORLD.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/01/male-my-little-pony-convention-bronycon_n_1641235.html