Celebrating Pride Month

Icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com

 

 As we step into June, it's time to celebrate Pride Month - a time to honor and support the LGBTQIA+ community. International Pride Day is celebrated on June 28th each year, commemorating the Stonewall Riots and promoting LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility globally. As a board game enthusiast and advocate for inclusion, I believe it's essential to promote love, acceptance, and equality. Board gaming is more than just a hobby; it's a community where everyone should feel welcomed and valued.

A Rainbow of Representation

Photo from Flag Color Codes

Board games, with their vibrant artwork and diverse themes, serve as a medium for representation. In celebration of Pride Month, I've picked some games that align with the colors of the Progress Pride flag. 

Red: Azul: Master Chocolatier 

    I bought Azul: Master Chocolatier because I found its colors a bit more applealing than the original version. I mean...who can resist a chocolate theme? Which version do you prefer?

Orange: Flamecraft    

 I was so bummed when I missed the kickstarter for Flamecraft! Luckily I found someone selling the deluxe version on BGG's GeekMarket and bought a copy. Since then I have hooked my brother on the game and we both have upgraded the dragons to the 2.0 version. I couldn't be happier about my purchase of the larger tokens. I absolutely adore this game!

Yellow: Tiwanaku
I bought Tiwanaku last year at Berlin Brettspiel Con. I stumbled upon it on the last day of the convention and was immediatly drawn in by its cover art. As I read more about the game's mechanics and realized it's a deduction game, I was instantly sold.

Green: Living Forest

    It took me a while to get on board with Living Forest. Despite the hype, I didn't understand its appeal at first. After giving it a second chance, I felt foolish for dismissing it so quickly. Now, it's a game I love introducing to new players, and I'm thrilled with the expasion, Living Forest: Kodama, which enhances the game. 

 

Blue: Oros    

Oros is a one-of-a-kind game in my opinion. I think the gameplay is so innovative and intriguing. I also unfortunatly missed out on the chance to get the deluxe verison, but I am still very happy with the quality of the standard game edition. I think it's absolutely gorgeous to look at and 

 

Violet: Paint the Roses

    Paint the Roses is one of my most recent purchases this year, and I knew I'd love it because it's a deduction game—I can never resist a good puzzle. I'm particularly curious about what the expansion, Paint the Roses: Escape the Castle, adds to the experience. If I come across it anywhere, I'll definitely be picking it up!

White: Stardew Valley
I have been eagerly waiting to get my hands on Stardew Valley: The Board Game! While I was in the U.S., I saw they were reprinting copies of the game. I pre-ordered it immediately and managed to bring it back to Germany with me. Although I've never played the video game, I'm in love with the illustrations and artwork. This is a must-try in my opinion!

 

Pink: Mycelia

    Mycelia is perhaps the only pink game I own. I also picked this up last year at Berlin Brettspiel Con after seeing a demo. It's a very light game and simply beautiful to look at. 

Turquoise: Everdell Farshore

My family surprised me with a gift from Gen Con last year: Everdell Farshore. Surprisingly, I haven't attended any conventions myself in the U.S. yet. They even managed to get some signatures from the designers on my copy of the game, making my box feel all the more special. I am incredibly grateful to have it as part of my collection. 

Brown: Bärenpark

    Bärenpark is a game I've had in my collection for a few years, and still come back to gladly. I enjoy it’s simplicity and love introducing it to new players. Recently, I snagged a copy of the expansion Bärenpark: The Bad News Bears while in the U.S. and I love the new features it adds. Unless I'm playing with newcomers , I can't see myself playing without the expansion from now on. 

 

Black: Project L

    I backed Project L on Kickstarter when the expansions were released. Unfortunately I only added the Ghost Piece expansion at the time. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoy the game and plan to add the Finesse expansion as soon as I get the chance. 

Creating Inclusive Spaces

Supporting LGBTQIA+ rights within the board game community means creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for everyone. Here are a few ways we can foster inclusivity:

- Representation in Games: Advocate for more diverse characters and stories in board games. When players see themselves represented, it fosters a sense of belonging.

 - Inclusive Events: Host and participate in game nights and conventions that prioritize inclusivity. Safe spaces where everyone can play without fear of discrimination are vital.

- Support LGBTQIA+ Creators: Many talented LGBTQIA+ designers, artists, and writers contribute to the board game industry. Supporting their work helps uplift their voices and stories.

- Educate and Advocate: Use your platform to educate others about LGBTQIA+ issues and advocate for equality within the community. Knowledge and awareness are powerful tools for change.

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the progress we've made and acknowledge the work that still needs to be done. By supporting LGBTQIA+ rights and fostering inclusive environments, we can ensure that everyone in our board game community feels seen, heard, and valued.

So, let's roll the dice, shuffle the decks, and embrace the beautiful diversity that makes our community vibrant and strong. Happy Pride Month, and may your gaming adventures be filled with love and inclusivity!

Happy gaming!