Gen Con Takes Stand For Inclusiveness

This rather breaks all my rules, in that I'm reporting on politics, and regional politics at that. That said, Gen Con, the hobby's largest American convention, intersects with this particular example, so it's hard to ignore; and this is an RPG news blog, after all. Plus, I agree with the sentiment, even if I'm doubtful about its actual effectiveness given the current contract. Gen Con has written to the local politician in its home city of Indianapolis, USA, threatening (kind of - they're contracted to stay there for five more years whether they like it or not) to consider moving elsewhere if a local law relating to businesses being able to refuse custom to same-sex couples is passed.

With multiple recent articles in just the last week (Monte Cook Games & Thunderplains, Green Ronin's Blue Rose), the subject of inclusiveness is not one that anybody can afford to ignore. However, the vitriolic comments these topics give rise to make discussion on them difficult at best.

Here's the letter they wrote.

​

 

[KirayaTiDrekan]

No you are free to act as you like... But if people don't like it they are free to act how they like...no one really cares who any of us are on the inside.. Just pay for your room/burger/caugh medicine... But don't you dare make a scene about being different then complain you were treated different.

No one cares if I have a girlfriend a boyfriend or both...as long as I don't throw it up for the whole world to see and judge...

How is me dressing like me making a scene?

 

[Umbran]

You know I agree with a lot of that.. But I canthelp but notice nothing in your description stands out at a con... Just throw on a gamer shirt and some jeans and no one will bug you... Keep your bedroom in the bedroom at the con ..

See previous statements on the psychological damage done by staying "in the closet". It is not good for you to have to hide who you are. You shouldn't ask folks to do that.

"Don't ask, don't tell," is better than some policies, but still not good.

 

[KirayaTiDrekan]

See previous statements on the psychological damage done by staying "in the closet". It is not good for you to have to hide who you are. You shouldn't ask folks to do that.

"Don't ask, don't tell," is better than some policies, but still not good.

I just wanted to say a heartfelt "Thank you" for this.

 

[billd91]

This is extremely off-putting. A man kissing his husband in public isn't "throwing it up for the whole world to see" any more than a man kissing his wife is. Why should the LBGT community have to play by a different set of rules?

Because privilege don't give up easy.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

How is me dressing like me making a scene?

Becuse some people do not welcome the clothing choice...

If I wore my "I support single moms" t shirt withe stripper outline and ratty old jeans to the church social it would cause a scene...if I did to Saturday night game that would be last week... If I wore it into the nice steak house and was asked to leave I would come back in a polo and better jeans

 

[mrm1138]

Thanks, though I would put @Dannyalcatraz on that list before me. I've gotten a little heated at times. He's the one with the legal expertise.

Thanks for helping me with the oversight!

I'd also like to give a shout-out to [MENTION=4038]God[/MENTION]. Despite the fact that his comments were a little less than civil, he made one of my favorite statements when he said, "Social justice is not a pejorative..."

Also, I've always thought "Social Justice Warrior" sounds bad@$$. That said, I think I'd rather be a different class, like Social Justice Rogue.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

See previous statements on the psychological damage done by staying "in the closet". It is not good for you to have to hide who you are. You shouldn't ask folks to do that.

"Don't ask, don't tell," is better than some policies, but still not good.

There is a time and place for everything... If you fear dress or acting in a way will cause issues you can bottle It for a few minutes... And that goes even just for gamers... I don't expect everyone to agree and I do think we need more work on these issues but pretending it is impossible to be neutral in a place is weird... I know no one who never were pants... Not Scotsman not trans not woman....

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Because privilege don't give up easy.

Yup. What privileged is that again, just wondering

 

[KirayaTiDrekan]

Becuse some people do not welcome the clothing choice...

If I wore my "I support single moms" t shirt withe stripper outline and ratty old jeans to the church social it would cause a scene...if I did to Saturday night game that would be last week... If I wore it into the nice steak house and was asked to leave I would come back in a polo and better jeans

I just don't even know how to process this.

Me in a nice pantsuit or dress is comparable to you in ratty jeans and a "stripper" t-shirt?

Really?

Seriously?

My happiness, my well-being, my sense of self, my worthiness as a human being is...subject to the whims of people who don't like how I dress?

Really?

Seriously?

 

[GMforPowergamers]

My final thought on this thread: The amount of tap dancing done by some to justify lawful discrimination is beyond depressing. And it doesn't seem like anyone's opinions on the matter were changed, only further entrenched. But if I have to walk away from this conversation knowing that I further entrenched myself on the side of non-discrimination... well, then that's all right with me.

You because those of US not on your side must be for discrimination...