In celebration of Tabletop Gaymers 10th Anniversary, we talked with Justin Nauman, the president of Tabletop Gaymers. Dive into this Q&A to prepare for all Gaymer activities at Gen Con this summer.
How did Tabletop Gaymers begin?
Tabletop Gaymers started as a Yahoo Group called “Gaymers,” where LGBTQIA+ gamers could share stories, network, and plan informal meetups at gaming conventions like Gen Con.
What began as small dinners quickly evolved into the panel series Queer as a Three-Sided Die, launched in 2011 to elevate queer voices in tabletop gaming. In 2012, the now-iconic GAYMER rainbow-colored ribbons were introduced at Gen Con for the first time to help LGBTQIA+ attendees self-identify, build community, and proudly display their presence. The ribbons became an immediate hit and have been distributed at Gen Con every subsequent year.
In 2015, Tabletop Gaymers officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and added the ALLY ribbon in response to growing support and in opposition to Indiana’s SB101. In 2018, Pronoun ribbons were introduced to normalize gender identity conversations and support inclusive practices at the table.
These visibility efforts were soon joined by Gaymer Gatherings, designed to bring together queer gamers and allies for gaming, and community. Five years ago, we elevated our presence at Gen Con by running events in ICC 120, aka ‘The Gayme Room.’
Today, these gatherings and ribbons are signature parts of our presence at 6 major conventions across the country, reinforcing our mission of championing the visibility and recognition of LGBTQIA+ individuals through tabletop gaming.
What are your plans for the 10th anniversary?
In 2025, Tabletop Gaymers will proudly celebrate 10 years of incorporation, our celebration plans include:
- In collaboration with 9th Level Games, we’re releasing “Queer Coven”, a new RPG inspired by magical queer characters. Each character will also appear as a witchy enamel pin, designed in the colors of various Pride flags.
- Hosting a special 10th anniversary event at Origins Game Fair, generously sponsored by CATAN.
- Debuting the 10th anniversary edition of our original enamel pin at Gen Con!
What steps does the tabletop gaming industry need to take to improve LGBTQIA+ representation?
To create a more inclusive tabletop gaming industry, studios and publishers must hire and collaborate with LGBTQIA+ creators, invest in queer-led games, and promote them meaningfully.
Representation should go beyond tokenism or rainbow washing, queer characters deserve depth, agency, and visibility in both story and mechanics. Game systems should normalize inclusive gender and relationship options as default, not afterthoughts or add-ons.
Conventions must ensure safety and inclusion by posting and enforcing anti-harassment policies, providing gender-neutral facilities, pronoun options, and featuring queer-led programming. Marketing should reflect real diversity by showcasing LGBTQIA+ creators and characters prominently engaged with events and products.
Most importantly, the tabletop gaming industry must listen, learn, and be willing to adapt. This means collaborating and centering LGBTQIA+ voices in decision-making, accepting community feedback without defensiveness, and being accountable when harm is caused. Authentic queer representation is not a trend these efforts need to be done year-round, not just during Pride Month.
Backing LGTBQIA+ work is one of the most impactful ways to support queer gamers. It is a sustained commitment to justice, equity, and storytelling that reflects the world as it truly is.
How can attendees get involved with Tabletop Gaymers during or after the convention?
There are many ways to get involved with Tabletop Gaymers, during and after the convention.
During the convention:
- Stop by our booth on Community Row to grab GAYMER, ALLY, and Pronoun ribbons.
- Head over to the Gayme Room (ICC 120) to attend one of the 100+ of events going on over the course of the convention, including Gaymer Gatherings.
- Take part in the Gaymer Quest, a scavenger hunt highlighting queer-owned businesses and creators.
- Sign up to volunteer for a shift at the booth, or assisting with events.
After the convention:
- Stay engaged by joining our mailing list, joining our Discord, and following us on social media.
- Becoming a sustaining donor.
- Check out the Swag available for donation on our website (including ribbons to distribute at their own local events or conventions, and enamel pins released at other conventions.
- Retailers can also take part in our Gaming Safe Space program, designed to promote inclusive environments with visibility tools and educational resources. LGBTQIA+ community centers are encouraged to join our Gayme Night initiative, which provides free game kits and local volunteer support to host welcoming, recurring tabletop events.
If someone wanted to start creating more inclusive gaming spaces in their own community, what advice would you give them?
Start small, stay intentional, and center inclusion from the beginning. Begin by creating a space where everyone feels welcome, clearly communicate your commitment to diversity and safety, adopt a visible code of conduct, and use tools like pronoun ribbons/markers or player safety tools.
Partner with local LGBTQIA+ groups or community centers and prioritize games and creators that reflect diverse voices.
Most importantly, listen to your community: ask for feedback, learn from mistakes, and be willing to grow. Inclusivity isn’t a one-time effort, it’s a continuous practice of showing up, standing up, and making sure everyone is included and represented at the table.
Do you have anything special planned for Gen Con this year?
We have a full lineup planned for Gen Con 2025 as we celebrate 10 years of incorporation for Tabletop Gaymers.
- Gaymer Quest returns, our scavenger hunt highlighting LGBTQIA+ creators, queer-owned companies, and inclusive games throughout the vendor hall. Complete the quest and earn an exclusive enamel pin designed by a queer artist.
- The “Gayme Room” (ICC Room 120) returns for its fifth consecutive year! We will host 100+ events, Gaymer Gatherings, and more queer-led programming.
- We’re debuting “Queer Coven”, a new RPG developed in partnership with 9th Level Games, featuring witchy characters themed after pride flags.
- Our 10th anniversary enamel pin will launch at Gen Con 2025, a refreshed edition of our original design.
- And sponsoring Dragons, Dice, and Divas: A Dragventure Extravaganza, a live RPG event where drag performers embark on a hilarious, high-drama campaign.
- As always, we’ll be distributing GAYMER, ALLY, and Pronoun ribbons, along with buttons, wristbands, and more.
Don’t miss any updates from Tabletop Gaymers. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch.