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Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="The Serge" data-source="post: 302745" data-attributes="member: 4049">I typically don't do things like this, but in the name of solidarity...I've been playing since i was 11 or 12.  I've known about my sexual orientation since i was about 10 or so, although I never really came out until two years ago.  As a result most of the people with whom I've played D&D and other RPGs with over the years never knew and, according to them, never suspected (I just seem odd to them, no gay).  I'm almost 28 now and I typically don't discuss my sexuality.  I'm also African American, so in a sense I have a double whammy with regards to stereotypes associated with gamers.  To make matters more complex, I collect comics, listen to Romantic periods symphonic music and Black Gospel (although I'm agnostic), collect soundtracks, and have Masters in Education with plans to pursue a Ph.D. in English or Religion.  Hmmmm...  Do I have issues?The folks with whom I've played regluarly over the past two years apparently know I'm gay but don't discuss it, although on occasion, someone will say something and all eyes will turn on me to study my reaction.  I don't discuss it because I suspect that some of the others, while willing to accept me, would still be uncomfortable knowing knowing.The fact that I'm gay and Black makes the entire gaming thing interesting.  I have only met a few African American men who game.  For many Black people, I think gaming seems too insolated from their experiences, which are rooted in a kind of apathetic reality.  Furthermore, until the 80s, I don't know that too many predominately Black neighborhoods sold that many gaming material... assuming one could find a bookstore to begin with.  Fantasy is just too out there for most Black Americans, especially Fantasy that seems so White.  D&D and most popular forms of Fantasy appear to be rooted in a Western mindset, appear to take place in medieval Europe, and seem to make clear color distinctions.  Finally, to many Black Americans, the whole idea of fantasy seems too close to occultism... something they are not alone in.Since I tend to date Black men, I often don't share much about my gaming or my collecting.  It's just not something most are interested in.As for being a "gaymer" (I like that one.  It's a keeper), I have gay NPCs, although I've never aired their sexuality in games since the opportunity never presents itself.  I have plans to write a series of novels with a gay Paladin who falls in love with a gay Necromancer (I've always thought it would be interesting if Drizzt and Entreri got it going on.  The hatred they share is so sublime it has to be latent lust).  Elves in my world are truly bi-sexual, willing to copulate with any remotely attractive humanoid or demi-human.  The Elven thing my gamers tend to be aware of.As for feeling isolated... Well, sometimes the little comments about female characters on book covers end up elliciting a bemused response from me since I don't see women as sex objects... or as attractive (although I can easily recognize an attractive woman).  I ignore such nonsense.  However, I tend not to ignore comments associated with homophobia or heterosexism.This was nice.  Good idea.  So...  any good-looking, mature gaymers out there in Central Florida?<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /></blockquote>

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