http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gaymercon/gaymercon-everybody-games
Community is important. We believe that there are a great amount of Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, Gender Queer, and Bisexual 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, 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 guys in dark rooms furiously mashing at a controller. That’s not the reality. Gamers come in all 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, as a whole, 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 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.
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We are creating a convention where all types of geeks can come together, meet others like them, and have a blast without having to worry about what their peers think of them or being discriminated against.. We will have exhibitor space, cosplay, guest speakers, live music, panel discussions on topics that are directly relevant to our interests, gaming industry professionals who support including queer content in their products, social events, and of course…GAMING!
We will also have events and activities that target other areas of geek and tech culture besides gaming. From tabletop gaming to geek chic, from panels by tech leaders to cosplay and live music- we hope to have something for everyone.
We want to be clear this isn’t just for gay white dudes either. We want all genders, races, and sexual identities including our straight friends and allies to come together and have a gay, geeky good time. We believe very strongly that creating a space like this is not only important for building a strong community, but also showing new generations of gaymers that there are others like them out there, they are not alone, and there is a welcoming place for them, not just at GaymerCon, but as part of the larger gaming community.
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[SIZE="3"]WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR[/SIZE]
GaymerCon is going to happen no matter what in the late summer of 2013, but big events like this don’t happen by magic and certainly aren’t cheap. This is where you come in. Without any donations we will create a great space for gaymers to come together, build community, and have fun. WITH your donations however, we can reserve swankier and more centrally located venues, book more geeky bands to play for you, have more consoles and games to play on, have cool prizes for contests, and more. Basically the more you give, the more you get out of the con when you come. If we raise lots and lots of money, it will get the attention of the gaming industry, making them more likely to come to the show too so you can see their awesome stuff, but also let them know there is a market out there for gaymers and maybe they should pay attention to you. All this for what it costs for a day pass to most other conventions....oh and did we mention that almost all pledges come with a free pass to the con? Yup. That’s a thing. Go ahead and go donate. We’ll wait.
Can't come to GaymerCon? We also have sticker packs and Blue/Red GaymerCon Bitroms, for those supporters who want a little more Gaymer in their lives.
Bitroms are entirely original hand-made cartridge necklaces - choose from either Fire Red Conway, Cool Blue Turing, or (at higher levels) you can get the limited Kickstarter-edition Turing & Conway's Adventure.
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We know we can make Gaymercon a success because we are already experienced in being successful. We have a team of extremely talented, connected, amazing folks on the team including engineers and business folks at top startups here in San Francisco. These include Jack DeVries out of IGN, Zach Weiner from SMBC Comics which is one of the largest comics and websites in the world and Matt Conn from the founding team of BandPage, as well as other visionaries and leaders from the LBGT & fundraising world. Also: Cheetos and Mountain Dew? Ew. Please consider contributing and we hope to see you in August 2013. Wait...you’re still not convinced? Alright. Fine. Time to bring out the big guns. What if I told you that a certain evil computer from a certain video game that starts with a “P†and ends with an “ortal†thought you should? You really going to say no to her?
[video=youtube;pOkt2ZFyUlI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOkt2ZFyUlI[/video]
[SIZE="3"]FAQ[/SIZE]
Who are you?
We are a bunch of geeks and allies based mostly around the Bay and Seattle areas. Most of us work in the tech or gaming space.
Why isn't there a venue set?
That's one of the main reasons why we're holding this Kickstarter - depending on demand and the amount raised, we'll be able to find a location that fits the expected attendance. The more we raise, the more awesome the space we can get, and hopefully get some awesome panels and bosses of honor, too!
Why is it in San Francisco? Why isn't it in ______?
San Francisco is where the highest concentration of gaming, geekdom, tech, and gay communities all coincide, and for year one, we want to make sure it is in an area where there is already, what we hope, is strong demand.
Who are Conway and Turing?
Conway and Turing are based off of two LGBT geek heroes that we wish to honor as well as help educate the young folks on: Alan Turing, with whom we would not all the amazing technology and toys that we have to today, and Lynn Conway, engineering pioneer and activist for the transgender community.
I'm under 18 - Can I go?
For at least the first year, GaymerCon will be an 18+ event. Although we understand that helping create a safe space for youth is just as important to our mission, for year one, there are a lot of insurance and liability issues to take into account with minors. If you'd still like to come, please let us know so we can gauge demand!
I'm Straight! Can I come?
Of course! We want to create a gaming and tech event that focuses on queer issues and themes, not the other way around. Similar to Gay & Lesbian film festivals and cultural events, we welcome all and hope to provide a fun, exciting, vibrant community that is in no way closed off from the rest of the gaming community.
I don't think something is a good idea becuase of [valid reason]/I would like to see [something cool]
We are always down to discuss and help explain our point of view and also listen to, and learn, from others. We are forging new ground with GaymerCon and a helping build a new community - and we want to hear what you think. Please drop us a line on fb or @gaymercon
I would like to troll you because...
Be nice, please. We're trying to create something that we believe can help make the lives of gay geeks around the world a bit more interesting and more social. We can take the heat, but we'd prefer if you could please keep it civil.
Wait, I'll only sponsor this if I can get in the field reccomendations from my peers set to Japanese chiptune music.
Got it.