As part of our regular non-profit activities, we are organizing and planning a workshop series (4 sessions) to bring together two topics that are closest to our hearts: inclusion and self-empowerment of LGBTIQA+ individuals and gaming.

Who is it for?
Primarily, this free workshop series is designed for tutors of adolescents, psychologists, community mediators, counselors—in essence, anyone involved in educational facilitation and guidance (individual, family, parental, etc.). However, the workshops are open to anyone, of any age, interested in learning more about this topic.

How long does it last? Where and when will it be held?
We are planning 3-4 sessions in total, totaling about 6 to 8 hours. The sessions will take place in January 2024, always in the evening or late afternoon (from 6.00 p.m. onwards). The workshops will be held in Italian, and although some content may be shown in English, no English proficiency is required (we will translate for everyone as needed). The workshops will be held on our Teams Workshop Place, and participants will only need to access the link that we’ll send via email.

What exactly will we cover?
We will explore how the gaming world and virtual communities related to video games have become essential spaces for many LGBTIQA+ people—not just adolescents but often young adults. Gaming increasingly offers safe and inclusive refuges where individuals can express themselves freely, often finding support and genuine connections—far more than in “real life.” Through the sharing of our direct experiences, we will see how these “places” now function as true “queer spaces,” where LGBTIQA+ identity is not only respected but also embraced and celebrated, often involving people who, unfortunately, do not experience this celebration in their everyday lives. However, we will also discuss an equally pervasive phenomenon: the hate and homo-bi-transphobia online, which, objectively, seems rampant in certain gaming communities.

How to register? Is there a deadline? A maximum number of participants?
Simply send us an email via our contact form or directly here: direttivo@closeinthedistance.com. The registration deadline is January 7, 2024, and the first session is scheduled for January 19, 2024, from 6.00 - 6.30 p.m. There is no maximum number of participants. The workshop is free, and we will issue a certificate of participation to everyone involved at the end. Sign up!