Inspired by the desire to provide an inclusive and safe space for LGBT folks to geek out, Matt Conn set out and created a committee and Kickstarter project to accomplish just this - a convention dubbed GaymerCon. The above video features Matt with SMBC Theater, chatting about the event, talking about what your donations can accomplish, and more!
Community is important. We believe that there are a great amount of Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, Bisexual, and Gender Queer folks out there, of every color and creed, that at the end of the day, love to geek out. Geek about video games, tabletop games, tech stuff, comics - all that fun stuff. And we believe that creating a community for these folks, Gaymers as they are affectionally dubbed, is important to help shape a more tolerant and safer space in gaming. After all, everyone games.
The stereotypes about gamers are many, but the core is the perception that gamers are usually straight white conservative guys in dark rooms furiously mashing at a controller. That's not the reality. Gamers come in all shapes, sizes, genders, races, and sexual identities. Unfortunately stereotypical bias among gamers does exist and it can make a hostile environment for minorities in the gaming community. Hang around an online game long enough and you'll start hearing homophobic, racial, and misogynistic slurs slung around without a second thought. Gamers have had to make space for themselves in a society that, for a long time, treated them as outsiders. They have come together and created a real community of people, but one that is not always welcoming if you don't fit into the stereotypical mold. Just like most gamers, queer geeks and gaymers want that same sense of community and belonging. Therefore we intend to create a space where all gamers and queer geeks can come together in a welcoming and safe space.
Currently they're 220% funded by over 1,000 backers at over $55,000 on Kickstarter, marking a huge outpouring of support from the global gaming community! The more the team gets, the better they can make this event, and the more awareness will be raised for acceptance everywhere.
All genders, races, and sexual identities are welcome to come together August 3-4 2013 in San Francisco, California! Most donation packages come with a pass, but even if you can't attend there are plenty of incentives to help out! Head to the project's Kickstarter page or to http://gaymercon.org to read all about it and learn how to get involved.
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