Playing with the Odyssey Queer of Rovigo

Dialogue byKatya ParenteWith David Fable of "Odyssey GDT LGBTI group+”By Rovigo

It can be said that the game is the first approach to life. All animals play, including humans, and this activity is so important that the scholar Johan Huizinga coined the definition of Homo Ludens. So the game is not only a pastime but, also and above all, a method of construction and knowledge of the self.

Also for the world LGBTQ+ the playful activity is very important, as it allows, perhaps for the first time, to be able to really be oneself and to discover one's potential. For today's chat is with us David Fable, who introduces us to the beautiful Venetian reality of "Odyssey GDT LGBTI group+"Which deals with board games, role and videogames by promoting inclusiveness and creating for all players safe spaces in which to be able to express themselves at best.

When did the Odyssey come about?

Odyssey was born on June 15, 2019 from the desire to start proposing a moment dedicated to board games inside Arcigay Rovigo, which are a passion of the two founders David and Ferdinando. Since then, the method of the group has turned from a simple Sunday afternoon into place, at the moment of sociality, community and awareness of the reception outside the same headquarters as Arcigay, therefore an event that was not only for members and members, But that it was a moment for the whole community of Rovigo.

The first event outside these walls was our participation as volunteers in an event in Florence,In/visible3, a two -day workshops, playroom and conferences on intersectional elaborations for the playful world.
From May then a collaboration began withSpace t, in which together with the volunteers of this space we were able to organize several afternoon events and follow the "Space to Play" game evenings from month to month, from here we were also able to do our first #Domenicagiochi "Cosmos Pride" in June.

And from this "start football" we have become more visible and we were able to participate in RovigoCosplay & nerdof 10 and 11 June 2023, in the area dedicated to board and role games, and thus enter into contact with the realities inside and outside the territory with which we have established a friendship relationship and, by inviting us mutually to our respective events, we create A nice synergy.

Up to the most important event that we followed that it was "A sky full of bubbles"In Padua, on 2 and 3 September 2023, in which we were able to bring our specificity together with other realities such as Arcigay, Agedo and Arcobaleno families: all within this buskers festival where new messages and values ​​wanted to bring Like those of inclusion, reception, equal rights and duties for all families.

To be of yours you have to be nerd/geek or can simple curious also participate?

All Odissea events are open -country doors, because the board game, role and video games are within the reach of all people. We must not necessarily be nerds or geeks to be of ours, just have the desire to want to spend a few hours sitting at the table together with people who already know each other or for the first time, to live an adventure or try to manage cards , tokens and strategies to be prepared at each turn.
Here the rule of safe space applies, that is, the space we occupy for these activities must first of all be Safe for the people who want to come, who must feel comfortable and be able to be 100%if they were.

What role play table games, role and video games in the construction/acceptance of queer people?

The role of the gaming world in the acceptance and construction of queer people is very important, because it is a world of community and sociality in which one can meet, but also clash (in the game) with everyone's diversity and equalities, at 360 °.
Until a few years ago there were few games that talked about the queer world, or the LGBT+ world, which had openly declared characters or messages dedicated to acceptance, but lately more and more creators and developers for the gaming world are starting to introduce the topic , characters, themes, so that even in the game there is not the usual binary that distinguishes the world in which we live.

The lion's share, for sure, is played by role-playing games, since, compared to board games and video games that are already "built", it is possible to create your owncharacterand tell the story with its own rules, adhering only to "the laws of physics" of the role-playing game (magic, weapons, combat, narration, setting, etc.). In this way people can feel freer to be themselves and experience what they cannot do in everyday life, giving them the freedom that is often denied to us.

Are you heterofriendly?

Yes, but rather than defining ourselves as heterofriendly, I would say that we are "personfriendly“, given that we are a playgroup open to all people who want to be part of it and participate, trying to create welcoming, safe spaces for everyone. I don't know if you're aware that our community's acronym continues to add letters, as we've gone from LGBT+ toLGBTQIA +, and even overseas2SLGBTQIA+, but in our case it is true that, even if LGBTI+ is written in the name of our group, we define ourselves more as a group for allPeoplewith severalSexual Orientations,Gender Identity,Sexual and Affective Expressions(SOGEIC), bypassing individual labels and putting the Person himself at the center, his Cosmos (hence our Cosmos Pride event) made up of his peculiarities, his emotional and historical baggage that he carries with him.

Are there, as far as you know, other groups similar to yours in Italy?

We have been active for 5 years, but in Italy there are other groups that have been active for many more years, such asThe Guildof the Cassero LGBTQIA+ center in Bologna, or just born asQueerQuestof Livorno. Many of these groups are part of the Arcigay territorial committee of their city. In fact, at the following link,ARCIGAY APS at MODENA PLAY2023, it is possible to see in which city there is a games group of the Arcigay territorial committee.

We thank David for this nice chat and, for those who want to know more, you can click here or contact the Odyssey directly, of which we leave, below, the main social channels:

FB:https://www.facebook.com/lodisseagdt
IG:https://www.instagram.com/lodisseagdt_ovigo/
TG:https://t.me/+nuewo9h5erdmnza0