July 2000 – The Gaymers Yahoo Group would begin the origin story for Tabletop Gaymers. The email discussion forum was a way for LGBTQ gaymers to share stories and information and to network with one another. This led to small get-togethers at conventions like GenCon.
Aug 2004 – The Gaymer Dinner was the first and foremost get-together for gaymers at GenCon. It was an informal dinner where like-minded individuals got together for an annual meet and greet. The gathering first started with a handful of attendees. By 2011 the dinner outgrew the capacity of most of the nearby restaurants, who were already flooded with GenCon attendees. So the group decided to put on a seminar.
Aug 2011 – The Queer as a Three-Sided Die seminar began at GenCon and has continued since. This seminar looks at gender and sexuality issues in gaming from design and publishing to game-play and community. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are a part for the gamer community, and although the community is known for its tolerance, GLBT people still often struggle to see places for themselves in the fantasy worlds we create. This seminar looks at gender and sexuality issues in gaming from design and publishing to game-play and community. Each year “industry insiders” are invited to participate in this event which now a standing-room-only audience of over 100 attendees.
Aug 2012 – The GAYMER Badge Ribbon was given away at GenCon. This rainbow colored ribbon is intended to be worn as a symbol of pride and to help gaymers self-identify to encourage networking with other LGBTQ attendees. At GenCon 2014, with the help of Rogue Judges, over 2,500 ribbons were distributed. Ribbons have been distributed at Gen Con every subsequent year.
May 2015 – Tabletop Gaymers Inc became an official nonprofit organization, registered in the State of Iowa
Aug 2015 – The ALLY Badge Ribbon was added, in part, as a response to the passing of Indiana’s SB101, the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.” Many of our straight allies asked for a ribbon that they could wear to show their support for LGBTQ equality. This year (and in 2016), Cards Against Humanity helped to fund the nearly 25,000 ribbons that were distributed.
Aug 2017 – The IRS granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status to Tabletop Gaymers Inc with retroactive status back to 13 May 2015. Meaning that donations made to the organization are tax deductible.
Aug 2017 – The SPONSOR Badge Ribbon was created to thank the donors of the organization’s first real GoFundMe Campaign, which raised nearly $10,000 in less than a month.
Oct 2018 – The Board of Directors held its first annual meeting, outlining the long term plan for the organization.