NYC Gaymers reflect on 2025 and looks ahead to 2026 with change in leadership
For over a decade, NYC Gaymers has stood as more than just a social group; it has been a critical sanctuary and a vibrant hub for the queer geek community in one of the world’s busiest cities.
What began as informal meetups over controllers and consoles blossomed into a influential non-profit, advocating for safe spaces and diversity within the gaming industry. As the organization navigated the complexities of rapid growth, from hosting a massive Pride presence to establishing year-round advocacy programs, its founding leadership became synonymous with this fierce dedication to “creating a space where you belong.”
Raffy Regulus has been at the forefront of the group for years as its Co-Founder and President. They are now handing over the reigns to Christopher Murray, a familiar face to NYC Gaymers’ members and fans. With fresh voices at the helm, the organization is poised to expand its reach, innovate its programming, and redefine what it means to build queer community through the power of play. The game isn’t changing, but the strategy for winning the future is about to get a major update.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with them both to reflect on the year and what lies ahead under Christopher’s new leadership.
Welcome both, it’s been a while since we formally chatted last about the work of NYC Gaymers. What have been some of the standout moments from this year?
Raffy: Gotta start with Gaymer Pride, we had a record attendance this year, and we’re already thinking about next year’s event. We’ve also expanded our “Gaymers Against Violence” workshops from 1 to now 4 CUNY college campuses, where we’re hosting monthly gaming lounges that include life skills workshops facilitated by us and community partners from Anti-Violence Project and Crime Victims Treatment Center. These relationships fostered what was an incredible year for NYC Gaymers overall.
Christopher: I would agree! There’s nothing like walking into a room full of people engaging with the activity that encourages everyone to forget the world around them, and just participate in joy. The gathering was so diverse, and it was liberating to see all types of people across the five boroughs connect with each other. There were even parents who brought their children, which always brings a tear to my eyes.
Your Gaymer Pride in June was the big stand-out for me, tell me more about how that went, it looked awesome!
Raffy: Thanks, it was definitely our biggest event of the year! For our second time at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens, we saw over 600 attendees, almost doubling last year’s numbers. We had a much larger Gaymer Lounge this year, thanks to Video Games New York, our largest sponsor and support. This year we were able to not only include live performances by the Otaku Choir and the Press Start Orchestra, we also had an incredible collective of drag performances and entertainers who showed up for community. We had friends from NYC Tabletop RPGs and Queer Poolplayers Association join us this year, facilitating the tabletop lounge and expanding on ways attendees engaged with Gaymer Pride. We also saw a record number of students tabling, showcasing the games they’ve been working on all year, and that to us is the most important component of Gaymer Pride.
I understand that there’s some big moves happening at NYC Gaymers, Raffy you’re stepping down as President, what brought this on?
Raffy: I co-founded NYC Gaymers. This has been a journey I’ve led since 2018. Our bylaws have term limits for a reason, and I’ve always wanted to champion the fact that NYC Gaymers is not one individual’s company or asset. NYCG was founded on a philosophy that the Y in Gaymers means “You Belong”. I’m proud of the legacy I entrusted to our board of directors, and I have the utmost faith that they’ll be able to continue driving the mission of our organization. This also gives me the opportunity to explore other ways I can support NYCG as a volunteer/committee member. I will always lead by example, and encourage others to join me in volunteering with NYCG.
Congratulations Christopher on your election as the new President of NYC Gaymers! What are your immediate plans for the group?
Christopher: Thanks so much! My immediate plans for the board is to get our vision in line with what we want for 2026. This group of people have such amazing ideas, and the passion behind them isn’t anything to laugh at either. I want to take my expertise in non-profit executive work and really give folx the gift of being able to see any idea through and in completion. In the end, the world will see and benefit from the work created by these wonderful people.
Longer-term, where do you see NYC Gaymers developing? Any new spaces or things you’re looking to get into?
Christopher: In terms of new items for next year, I’m looking into more community engagement and affiliation. I have great relationships with many gaming nonprofits, corporations, and developers; I’d love to connect them all in ways that provides access to our community, and even a possibility model of how a potential game developer might want to start their career. I really want to get to know the folx behind the games we love, and how we can continue to bridge their consumers with resources that illicit more time with each other.
Raffy, of course you’re not leaving NYC Gaymers all together, what role are you stepping into?
We’re still figuring out the official titles and semantics, but NYCG has entrusted me with managing the Gaymers Against Violence program and our larger annual events such as Gaymer Pride, and possibly the Gaymer Lounges at Flamecon, which is exciting! I like the idea of being Director of Programming and whatnot, but I care less about the titles and more about the movement. I hope I can be in every space needed so that NYCG can continue to reach out community and grow as need be.
What exciting things can we look forward to in the immediate future for NYC Gaymers?
Raffy: We’re excited to continue our community partnership with Playwrights Horizons, this incredible theater on 42nd St that has continued to provide tickets to our community members for occasional shows – we’ve been calling it “Gaymers Nights Out” hehe, and shout-out to Hector Rivera for being such a legendary liaison with our community. We’re definitely going to be doing more on college campuses across NYC, and if you’re a student or faculty member that wants NYC Gaymers to bring Gaymers Against Violence onto your campus, reach out and let’s connect. And to all our NYC gaming community, get ready for Gaymer Pride 2026, because it’s going to be bigger and louder than ever!
Christopher: I don’t want to give too much away as things formalize, but you can look forward to new research initiatives; our community has a lot to say and the world should hear about how gaming has been a positive influence in their lives. You can expect to see more events, panels, social media posts, and just more engagement in general. You can also look forward to more events; in recent discussions I’ve had with the folx that I work with, I can only say that the events are going to get even better.
Christopher, lastly, what’s the big takeaway you want people to know as this transition happens.
Christopher: What I want folx to know is that NYCG will continue to move forward with providing access to joy and community throughout 2026 and the years to come. The positions may have shifted, but the want for a positive world for the next generation still exists. Our work will continue to shine a light on the art of play, and the future that comes when we are all hopeful about our shared tomorrow.
Find out more about NYC Gaymers, their events, their programming and their work by visiting gaymers.nyc
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