Roll for Initiative: Opening Opportunities to Explore Identity Through Gameplay

Cultivating a space for belonging, exploration of selfhood, creativity, and confidence isn't something that happens on its own: sometimes it needs to be co-created by those willing to join and sustain it. This workshop will give introductory context to how tabletop roleplaying games (like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and others) offer an opportunity for queer community, creativity, and joy. We will also discuss aspects of how gameplay structures can provide a type of queer expansiveness when incorporated into pedagogy, conflict mediation, and storytelling. Additionally, concrete examples of tabletop roleplaying programs and embedded course examples will be described. Optional virtual participation will be included with the Padlet platform.