June, Pride, and Why Everyone Deserves a Seat at the Board Game Table

June is Pride Month — a time to celebrate love, identity, and community. And for me, it’s also a chance to celebrate one of the most meaningful through-lines in my life: board games. I’m the youngest in my family by a lot. While my cousins were off getting degrees and rings, I was still learning how to hold a pencil. But somehow, I still had a seat at the table — at least before poker night started. My grandpa and his siblings hosted poker games with their friends. Though I wasn’t old enough to join, they played Carioca with me beforehand. I had a seat at the table too and that meant everything!

Later, I learned Rummikub, which became a constant with my parents. We played it so often, we eventually combined two sets so we could invite more people in. That clack of tiles? That was the soundtrack to my childhood. And no matter what could have been going on: family feuds, long days, big emotions, board game night was sacred. We laughed. We competed. We connected.

As I got older, that love of games grew with me. I moved from Uno and Clue to the wonderful chaos of hosting "gayme nights". It started with a few queer friends in my living room turned into a ritual passed from place to place, with someone new hosting each time. A space to show up exactly as we were, laugh too loud, get way too competitive, and try to explain rules we barely understood. Of course, I didn’t only play at gayme night. I’ve crashed plenty of “straight nights” too. For the record, they’re great! Some folks get nervous about the term gayme night, so just to clarify: it’s not a secret club. It’s just board games with people who happen to be queer. Sexuality has no effect on your ability to dominate at Codenames. And if it did, I’m pretty sure I’d have won at least once in the Duet version by now.

Whether queer, straight, old, or young, board games brought us together. It didn’t matter where you were from, what your story was, or what you did for a living. As long as you were ready to play and have a good time, you had a seat at the table. Because sometimes, all it takes is a shared game to turn strangers into friends.

When I met my now-wife, our first date ended with a game of Taboo, just the two of us. I know, I know, you’re supposed to play in teams, but it was what we had on hand and honestly it was perfect. Maybe it was a bit premature to think that night sealed the deal, but that shared love of yelling guesses while holding a buzzer made me wonder if we could be soulmates.

Whether playing with family, friends, or friends to be, board games have always been about connection for me. They have created safe spaces, joyful spaces, healing spaces. They have taught me strategy, empathy, and how to keep a straight face during bluffing games (even when very gay). This Pride, I’m reminded that the game table should reflect the world we want to build: one where everyone is welcome, everyone gets a turn, and no one is left out of the fun. So whether you’re a rule lawyer, a casual player, or just here for the snacks, there’s a game and a group out there for you. If you’re ready to play, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take your seat at the table 🏳️‍🌈