As already mentioned, “Dungeons & Dragons” is a pen-and-paper role-playing game, which means you actually only need a paper and a pen (and dice, of course) to play the game. More important than that, however, are your imagination and a dedicated Dungeon Master (gender-neutral) who can make it work. The game master (gender-neutral), who is often somewhat pathetically called the dungeon master, creates a fantastic world that is more or less determined by the rules of the game.
Three to five players then decide on a character, their race (elf, dwarf, human, etc.) and a class (wizard, druid, bard, etc.). The characters then interact with the world the game master creates and the role-playing begins. When a character wants to do something, the dice (usually a twenty-sided one) decide how successful this action will be. You can probably imagine that this can create the most chaotic scenes.
Why “Dungeons & Dragons” is so often a queer safe space
At first you might think that “Dungeons & Dragons” is a fairly male game. Its origins go back to conflict simulation games for training officers, before it was used primarily to re-enact large battles. And certainly some people still think of the stereotypical image of nerds sitting in the basement who have never seen a woman.
But the reality looks completely different these days. Since the release of the new 5e ruleset and greater contact with the mainstream, the D&D community has become more and more diverse. One of the main reasons for this is quite simple. The role play is perfect for trying out your identity. In a world full of dragons and magic, characters who don't conform to our heteronormative, norm-beautiful conventions are completely natural. So you can come up with a new one, anotheror try out appearance and gain initial experience in interacting with others.
When creating characters, for example, gender doesn't play a role at all. You choose the modifications such as strength or dexterity. Your appearance can only exist in your imagination. Changing your name, appearance or pronouns is never as easy as in role-playing games. For some queer people, this can be one of the few places where they can fully express themselves.
Another aspect that resonates with many queer people is thisIn D&D, a familial dynamic can quickly develop between players - even if their characters have been abandoned, cast out, or lost by their parents. This feeling of community – especially if you have experienced such things yourself – can be something very special. Especially when you play with other queer people who can understand you.
If you play yourself, you will notice relatively quickly that each of your fellow players always puts a little bit of themselves into their characters. This allows you to discover and exploit nuances of yourself that you would otherwise not be able to show. You become more secure in your identity - and at the same time develop empathy for others. With the right people, the D&D table can become one of the most beautiful safe spaces.
You can read more about queer culture in “Dungeons & Dragons” in“They Came to Slay: The Queer Culture of D&D”von Thom James Carter.
That’s why “Dungeons & Dragons” changed my life
This may sound like a pathetic exaggeration, but it's really true: D&D changed my life. At an important crossroads in my life, during college, a friend put me in his D&D group. I knew the game from the seriesand found it fascinating, but never played it myself. Back then I was insecure, afraid, reserved and never wanted to step on anyone's toes.
