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Alas, no PaizoCon for me this year. My teenage daughter is returning home from a year abroad the following weekend, and I can't take time off for both.
I may go to Paizocon. I haven't decided yet. When is it again?
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
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I may go to Paizocon. I haven't decided yet. When is it again?
I believe it's toward the end of May.
-checks-
Yes, the 27th through the 30th.
I'd like to go, but I just started a new job (was a temp since last summer, but got hired on "officially" 4/1) so I don't really have the funds or the time off to think about it seriously just now...
I may go to Paizocon. I haven't decided yet. When is it again?I believe it's toward the end of May.
-checks-
Yes, the 27th through the 30th.
I'd like to go, but I just started a new job (was a temp since last summer, but got hired on "officially" 4/1) so I don't really have the funds or the time off to think about it seriously just now...
Thanks.
I still don't know if I want to go. I have not been a fan of the previous cons that I've gone to. I don't usually enjoy the open gaming tables. I don't usually get into the panels I want because the lines are so long and waiting in them means that I'm not doing something else for the couple of hours I'm in line. I rarely see something at the booths that I can't pick up elsewhere. I just don't have much fun.
I haven't been to Paizocon before. The Comic Cons and Norwestcon have been like that and paying to do stuff I can do outside of the con doesn't really increase my enjoyment. The only exception is getting autographs.
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I still don't know if I want to go. I have not been a fan of the previous cons that I've gone to. I don't usually enjoy the open gaming tables. I don't usually get into the panels I want because the lines are so long and waiting in them means that I'm not doing something else for the couple of hours I'm in line. I rarely see something at the booths that I can't pick up elsewhere. I just don't have much fun.
I haven't been to Paizocon before. The Comic Cons and Norwestcon have been like that and paying to do stuff I can do outside of the con doesn't really increase my enjoyment. The only exception is getting autographs.
I can allay at least some of your concerns. There aren't long waits for panels at PaizoCon because they rarely, if ever, fill up entirely—especially now that we have a much bigger space. People normally start to gather 10 or 15 minutes early, and you can often dart in at the last minute if you're not particular about where you sit.
There's also now a one-day badge so you can hit up your top priority panels and get all the autographs possible (Paizo folks can help you track down key people you're looking for) for a smaller time and $$ investment.
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I'm heading to Paizocon this May for the first time (long-time convention-goer, but this one has me a bit nervous because of distance and folks I only know online for the most part), with arrival on Wednesday and departure on Tuesday.
The only other thing on the docket so far this year is Gen Con, and I'll be there for the 'shoulder days just to be able to have no crud on the way home.
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There's also now a one-day badge so you can hit up your top priority panels and get all the autographs possible (Paizo folks can help you track down key people you're looking for) for a smaller time and $$ investment.
Did we all get tracking chips and I...forgot?
Wait. ...What *was* in the Goblin Fire Red wine?
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Thanks for that. I have debated every year, but I ended up either broke or working so it didn't matter anyway. This year is different. There are quite a few of the staff I would love to meet.
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I would love some feedback from the folks on this thread. I have always tried to be an advocate for the trans* community, but as a cisgendered gay man, I don't speak from personal experience. Still, people know of my advocacy and sometimes come to me with questions about things like how to be sensitive to their new trans* coworker or that sort of thing.
Anyway, this time it's family. My nephew (I will use male pronouns here for reasons that will become apparent) is 8 years old, and has always been keenly interested in "girly" things, like his sister's dresses, painting his toenails, having makeup on, and that sort of thing. My sister and her husband are extremely supportive, and have no patience for anyone who tries to convey that there is anything wrong with any of that (truly, they are awesome, accepting parents).
Recently, he was trying on one of his favorite dresses, and told my sister that that was the most beautiful he has ever felt. She took the opportunity to ask him in a roundabout way if he would rather be a girl all the time, perhaps at a new school with a new first name where nobody would know any different. He told her he would not, and that there are other times that he likes being a boy, like when he gets to play soccer with the other boys, and that sort of thing. (This is why I am using male pronouns for the time being.)
To my sister, this is confusing because I think her exposure to trans* identity is fairly binary, and she has perhaps not had experience with people who are outside the binary. To me, I suspect it could be several things: gender fluidity, for instance, or perhaps the idolization of female glamour associated with "diva worship" and drag among gay men. Or he may ultimately transition some day after more introspection later in life.
My sister is thinking of giving him an opportunity to speak to a counselor who specializes in gender identity in children, although I am cautioning her to make sure the counselor, too, understands non-binary identities so that he is not shoe-horned into a model that might not fit him.
Anyway, I thought I would see if anyone on this thread had any insights into the experience of a trans* person at that young age. Ultimately, we know there is nothing that says anything needs to be done at all right now, but my sister is looking to be as supportive as possible, and is trying to figure out if there is more he should be doing. Thoughts?
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I think a good approach could be to continue supporting the child's exploration of gender. Or just like, letting him do what he likes. I don't really know how well an 8 year old can grasp the idea of the social construction of gender (it might be easy for this kiddo or maybe not, idk), but perhaps talking with him about how activities are gendered would be fruitful. Dresses ate feminine, but only because period have been saying that for a long time (although not even like a full two centuries in the West). Playing soccer is fun, but it's definitely not just a boy thing.
Keeping an open mind and a consciousness of how gender is imposed on things and people (rather than certain things being "naturally" for boys or for girls) would be my approach, as a trans nonbinary person. And just keep having and encouraging these conversations, and really listen to and respect what the child wants. Before they hit puberty, if the kid feels conflicted about his body, it might be good to talk to someone about hormone blockers. That can delay puberty changes until he's ready to make a decision. He also might just be totally chill with his body (as much as anyone going through puberty can be, anyway). I think exposing the kid to new ideas, having open conversations, and listening to what he has to say are the most important things I'm saying here.
Also, as a side note, you don't need the asterisk. Transgender or just trans are fine. Trans* with an asterisk is now considered not great, as it has a history of being used to discriminate against nonbinary and other folks under the transgender umbrella who aren't within the strict binary.
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I agree with mechaPoet that continuing to support their exploration of gender is a good approach for right now. Let the child go where he goes.
I guess the comment about soccer might be worth exploring more, if that's possible. Does he view soccer as a male activity that he doesn't want to give up (does he know girls play soccer)? Or does he like being a boy hanging out with other boys? That might give you a sense of where he's coming from.
And he might not have a sense yet one way or another. Like, if someone had asked me at 8, I'm not sure I would have been aware enough to say. A couple of years later, I'd have had a definite answer.
Puberty's still a little ways away, so I think that leave some space for exploration.
Agree with your sister about him seeing a counselor, and agree with your caveats about a counselor.
After playing around with it a bit the Dark Souls 3 character creator, like it's predecessor, seems to be very trans friendly.
This comment raises a question, what would be considered 'trans-friendly' in terms of a game?
Is it a lot of sliders on the character designer to approximate a certain build, or certain background traits that a character is allowed to take?
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I keep wanting to play those games... I've heard there's an in-game character redesign that allows a very generous range of gender alteration.
I may have some questions about the series, once I have a little more time and money to throw at it.
I have all of them and love em so if you have any questions feel free to throw them my way :3
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After playing around with it a bit the Dark Souls 3 character creator, like it's predecessor, seems to be very trans friendly.This comment raises a question, what would be considered 'trans-friendly' in terms of a game?
Is it a lot of sliders on the character designer to approximate a certain build, or certain background traits that a character is allowed to take?
Sliders.
Dark Souls 2 even had a slider for hormones.
That sounds very interesting.
Where would be the best place to look for them?
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To put this into context for those who haven't played them the previous games gave you a muscular option for female characters that gave them a six pack and maybe extended the shoulders out a bit.
Now? You can look like a lady who can palm someone's face and twist them into a pretzel without breaking a sweat.
Now? You can look like a lady who can palm someone's face and twist them into a pretzel without breaking a sweat.
*was going to make a Futurama reference there, but no good would come of it...*
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The community here is awesome and we want to give you hugs!
*offers hugs*
This...is a surprisingly good summary of the preceding 9.5k posts, actually.
Thanks! I'm not really the hugs sort though - I tend to burst into flames.
Would you prefer a handshake? Cookies? Other baked goods?
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BOOZE PLEASE
Thanks! I'm not really the hugs sort though - I tend to burst into flames.Would you prefer a handshake? Cookies? Other baked goods?
DONE.
... it still sounds like you're trying to dissuade me from hugging you.it-it- the f - it -flam - flames. Flames, on the side of my face, breathing-breathl- heaving breaths. Heaving breaths... Heathing...
Ooh! Clue reference!
I love that movie.
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Speaking of Dark Souls, I read this pretty great article a little while ago. Spoilers for the first game:
YES, DARK SUN GWYNDOLIN IS A TRANS WOMAN, NO, YOU CAN’T HAVE HER
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Speaking of Dark Souls, I read this pretty great article a little while ago. Spoilers for the first game:
YES, DARK SUN GWYNDOLIN IS A TRANS WOMAN, NO, YOU CAN’T HAVE HER
Interesting, I had thoughts on Gwyndolin as a trans man, but haven't brought them up since I don't know who all was familiar with the game and character.
Of course those are just the thoughts I've had since I first met the character, will read over that article when I get the chance.
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Chiming in a bit late:
I'll be going to PaizoCon for the 5th year in a row. For those who are on the fence, it's a great time and a good way to get to meet lots of folks in the industry, not just Paizo Staffers. Panels aren't really hard to get into, but you definitely want to watch for the events lottery for limited seating games.
No other really big specifically tabletop gaming oriented cons for me, but here's my obligatory GaymerX plug, as I will be there. (Disclaimer: I work for them). We will be continuing our trend of expanding tabletop gaming further this year. We have a very special guest (Boss of Honor) I think most (if not all!) of you would be interested in: Crystal Frasier!
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Speaking of Dark Souls, I read this pretty great article a little while ago. Spoilers for the first game:
YES, DARK SUN GWYNDOLIN IS A TRANS WOMAN, NO, YOU CAN’T HAVE HER
Blades of the Darkmoon for LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE.
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Blades of the Darkmoon for LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE.Speaking of Dark Souls, I read this pretty great article a little while ago. Spoilers for the first game:
YES, DARK SUN GWYNDOLIN IS A TRANS WOMAN, NO, YOU CAN’T HAVE HER
They're back in 3 ^w^
You'd really think San Francisco State University would have an active LGBT student club. You'd be wrong. And I certainly don't have the time or energy to start running one, so I can't really fix that.
You'd really think San Francisco State University would have an active LGBT student club. You'd be wrong. And I certainly don't have the time or energy to start running one, so I can't really fix that.
you're right, I'm surprised. I was going to point you to some of Standfords stuff (not sure how they would accept a non-Stanford student or alumni though), but then thought I'd google SFSU.
I did find this stuff...
but it appears the last updates was around 2013. Another item they have on the site is [ur=http://www.sfsu.edu/~pride/orgs.html] Pride orgs [/url] but both organizations facebook pages seem to be non-existent now.
They do have an email
pride@sfsu.edu.
That you probably have already tried.
I don't know what to say, there are some groups in greater San Fran that you could look into, perhaps. Some of them probably have the history of what went down at SFSU if those organizations no longer exist.
Hope the best for you.
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They're back in 3 ^w^Blades of the Darkmoon for LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE.Speaking of Dark Souls, I read this pretty great article a little while ago. Spoilers for the first game:
YES, DARK SUN GWYNDOLIN IS A TRANS WOMAN, NO, YOU CAN’T HAVE HER
WHAT.
YES!
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They're back in 3 ^w^Blades of the Darkmoon for LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE.Speaking of Dark Souls, I read this pretty great article a little while ago. Spoilers for the first game:
YES, DARK SUN GWYNDOLIN IS A TRANS WOMAN, NO, YOU CAN’T HAVE HER
WHAT.
YES!
Yep, WITH A VENGEANCE!
Once he was handed control of Souls back Miyazaki could have completely ignored the events of DS2 and not referenced it all in 3, but no, he went classy and the few references and hold overs from 2 have been interwoven nicely in 3.
Namely, The Blue Sentinels being a splinter group of the Blades of the Darkmoon.
What's the distinction?
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Do any of you folks have any suggestions on ways to meet other geeky queer girls? I feel like in a place where I'm finally comfortable in putting myself out there. I have practically zero experience with this whole dating thing thanks to being so dysphoric that I couldnt handle even trying before.
Also, what would you folks say is a good time/way to bring up being trans to potential dates?