Social Gayming – Gaymers iNC, London
Social gaymer groups are the backbone of the LGBTQ video games community. They give people the opportunity to meet with likeminded people in a fun and safe environment. This time, we’re meeting the London-based group, Gaymers iNC.
We sat down with one of the organisers, Yusif Ali, to find out more about them.
Gayming: Hi there! Let’s start off with you introducing yourself to our readers.
Hello! My name is Yusif, founder of Gaymers iNC.
I run the group a long side Chris, head of our design, graphics and website and Roony who leads our photography, music and also website.
How long has Gaymers iNC been running for?
Gaymers iNC. has been running for 3 and half years now. It started as a small group of friends who’d meet up at each others houses and grew to what it is today.
What’s its mission?
The mission has always been to bring London’s LGBTQ+ gaymers together. Create long lasting friendships and a place for people to come to and be themselves.
How many members do you have?
We have in total 3107 members! It has grown so quickly!
What inspired you to start Gaymers iNC?
I have always wanted to do something for our community. As someone who’s always struggled to find my place in the gay scene, I wanted to create a space for people to be themselves. In today’s society that’s filled with dating apps like Grindr, Tinder etc. it’s become harder for people to meet. That’s why it’s important for communities like ours to exist.
How often do you meet?
We do regular meet ups through out the month! Between 6-7 meet ups.
What sort of things do you do?
We range from gaming meet ups, board games to cinema outings, convention days out, Geek Quiz and more active days out like Archery Tag, Bouldering and Jujitsu! We participate in Pride in London every year and marching again for our 4th year! We will be having a big Pride party as well which everyone is welcome to!
What’s your proudest moment to date?
My proudest moment to date has to be standing on stage with my admins hosting our Nintendo Pride Party at Electric in Brixton. We had just over 600 people attend. It was beyond anything I could of wanted and more. It was definitely something I will remember for a while. That and marching in the parade with my family and feeling the love from our community. It’s an incredible feeling.
How important is it for LGBTQ gamers to have social groups like yours?
I touched on it before how important groups like this are for our community. A lot of people move down to London alone and don’t have anywhere to go. They find themselves going to bars to meet others or use apps but tend to feel more isolated. Having a community group like ours gives people who are gaymers a chance to meet others. The foundation of every conversation is about any type of geek/gaming culture so it’s so easy to start conversations.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking of joining?
We give people the platform to chat and meet others who are gaymers and build relationships and friendships. We’ll always try to encourage those who do join to participate in discussions and attend meet ups. We hold different types of meet ups to cater to every type of gaymer. We’d never force people to attend anything but it’s up to that individual to meet us half way 😉
What does the future hold for Gaymers iNC?
What’s worked for us is being able to grow organically and change with what our members want. We listen and talk to our members to see what works and what doesn’t. I think that’s the most important part of any community group. So who knows! We do have some big projects in the pipeline!
How do people find out more?
You can find out more information from our website, GaymersiNC.com
We also have our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook handle being @GaymersiNC
To join our closed Facebook group, it’s Facebook.com/groups/GaymersiNC
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