Pride at RPGX

[lostcheerio]

Happy Pride in June and all through the year!

While RPGs are a great way to inhabit different spaces and play around with new identities, I hope you know that you are loved and accepted for who you really are. Real life is rough, and games are an escape. Thank you to all our LGBTQIA+ friends and neighbors for being here at RPGX. You are valued members of our community, and your safety is important. Maybe this goes without saying, but just in case -- I'm saying it anyway.

-LC

[Strangemund]

AYYYYYYYY~!!

Strange here, repping the big ole B part of the rainbow flag~! I am elated to find a thread celebrating all my brothers, sisters, and other distinguished individuals during Pride Month! I believe its the first time in all the years I have been here that anyone's put in the effort to give our community some love, especially in a space that's not always been kind or understanding.

So, I am tagging in to give a shout-out to all my gay peeps out on RPGX. too! Whether you are out or in the closet, know that my table is always safe for you! That you are beautiful, you are loved, and you are incredibly strong! Be proud of who you are. I know I am.

Also, bigger shout-out to my gorgeous, brilliant girlfriend who I have been with for over seventeen years. I love you, QueenQatherine, you make every day more beautiful than the last, and you never fail to make me laugh! Let's rock another ten more gay years together! Wait, no, twenty! Thirty! A million! That's doable, right?

[bananabadger]

Right on, Cheerio!

Let's celebrate and honor our LGBTQIA+ membership this month.

And ... may we always strive to be an affirming and inclusive community.

[bothers]

Happy Pride month, friends! Whoever, whereever, and however you are: you're valid, you're important, you're needed here in the world.

[Fillyjonk]

Amen and amen! Happy pride month, and know that you can find a place in the gaming community where you are loved and accepted every month of the year. It’s important to acknowledge that (in my country for sure and in many others) LGBTQIA+ rights are under siege… you have allies here and everywhere who love you exactly as you are and will stand with you and vote to protect you.

Heart heart heart,
Fillyjonk

[47Ronin]

Although I myself am straight and cis, I would like to wish all those who identify as LGBTQI+ a happy Pride Month!

Variety is the spice of life, even if sometimes it challenges us and our preconceptions.

In my opinion, preconceptions should be challenged.

Vive la difference!

[Jon]

Stepping in to lend my voice too. I worry for my friends around the world who are feeling a little less safe just because of who they are - its important that we all stand for each other.

[orcbane]

Happy pride to all, whether you celebrate or not! Remember, difference isn't something to fear!

I hope everyone is able to celebrate in safety this year.

[Aethera]

Happy Pride Month, RPGX!

I hope everyone is safe and secure, wherever they might be. I know there's a lot going on right now that hurts, but I hope you know there is a safe place for you here at the Crossing. My table is always open, and my office door as well. Office hours are whenever you might need someone to listen.

May the rainbow fly free.

[goatmeal]

Although I appreciate the sentiment, it is challenging to know what this means when there are multiple transphobic mods here. There can’t really be a neutral ground between accepting someone as legitimately a human being or not. That’s what we’re dealing with here in 2023 when our very existence is being denied. Please clean up your space, and if you aren’t able to then find a new place to game that is inclusive of all people. Being inclusive means not allowing others to deny my existence.

[Strangemund]

I understand your pain, goatmeal, I really do.

I have experienced both transphobia and homophobia from Admins on the site. One considered trans lives, LGBTQIA+ issues, and pronouns a hot political topic that was not welcome to be discussed on a previous version of the Unofficial RPGX Discord servers, while the other mocked the usage of pronouns and their importance in the LGTBQIA+ community, and myself, for privately reporting his behavior.

The non-site mods were very understanding, and full on allies, but they were not given the same rights or powers to ban or speak out against the Admins who were openly representing the site. Those Admins remained, and those behaviors were tolerated to 'not upset people' despite the obvious harm it caused to countless members of our community.

That breaks trust in our community, in folks who stand with us, and it did when it happened. I know there are many who find RPGX an unsafe space still. I do not blame them for feeling that way, nor how you feel about the site. Those feelings are just as valid as acceptance. Which is in truth why I speak about my experience.

I didn't bring up that event to stir the pot, spark drama, or any of that nonsense-- I brought it up because I think it is important to know exactly what we have experienced here. Why only a handful of folks have been comfortable to cheer on for Pride Month in this thread. There are wounds here on the site that need healing, and its important that these issues be known, and we work towards true change, true acceptance for all.

That said, in the time since those events, those Admins no longer hold any kind of power here. They are in fact Admins no longer, and the recent add-ons for administration and moderations are names that I find comfort in. I know quite a few are allies, and have acted when I have come across an issue!

It is a small change, but it feels huge to me, you know? And hope it leads to more good changes, just as I hope in time this will be a space that makes you feel welcomed and loved as you deserve.

Because trans lives matter, LGBTQIA+ issues matter, and you better believe you matter.

[lostcheerio]

Hi Goatmeal,

I’m not a mod, so this message is just a few words of support from me and the others who have chimed in. I appreciate your bravery in speaking up, and I apologize for my ignorance. In comparison to some I’m pretty new, and I am unaware of all the private history. The reds that I know and interact with are not anti-trans. In fact they are vehemently, decisively not, but that doesn’t negate your experience and I’m sorry for what happened to you. I can promise you that where I see it I will speak to it, and I wish you all the best and happy gaming. You deserve to be seen and heard and respected.

[lostcheerio]

Thank you, Strange. I don’t think it’s pot-stirring in the least to talk about experiences and share where it’s been painful. Throwing a happy rainbow over issues sometimes does more harm than good, so I’m glad we can talk about where we’ve been and where we’re trying to go. We can show support and love while also acknowledging struggles and addressing realities. I’m glad to be better informed. <3 <3 <3

[Dworin]

I'm to new here to have witnessed any of that. I hope everyone is safe, feels safe and getting along well. We should be among friends here or at the very least among people who don't put others down for who they are.

[HenryLockwood]

A heartfelt "Happy Pride" from me too!

And to both Goatmeal and Strangemund: I'm really sorry to hear that you had problems with transphobia & homophobia here. That's not what I want, and not (I believe) what any of our current mods & Admins want. If you ever see me write something problematic, that's my error; please do call me on it.