LaBeija's Ball Volunteer Signup Form
First and Foremost: BaddieBards stands for the following:
- All Black Lives Matter
- All LGBTQIA+ people are welcome and valid
- Transmisogyny, transphobia, racism, homophobia, ableism, fatphobia, colorism etc. has no place at our tables
- ACAB - yes, all of them
- Sex work is real work
If this doesn't resonate with you, we are not the studio for you. Keep it pushing! 💜🧡
BaddieBards aims to showcase unapologetically Black, Trans, and Queer stories in the TTRPG space. We believe the best adventures happen when you bring your entire fabulous self, your lived experiences, your stories to the table.
At BaddieBards, we are committed to ensuring that everyone at our tables has a safe experience. We prioritize supporting our storytellers in creating a safe space for our players. Every game includes a mandatory Session 0, during which players can meet each other officially, discuss safety tools, and establish Lines and Veils.
This is the section where we get to know you!
What's your email address?
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What is your main social media handle?
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What is your Discord username?
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Do you identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Mentally Ill, Chronically Ill, Neurodivergent, Disabled, and/or an Immigrant? Please feel free to use this space to tell us which of those, if any, describe you.
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Note: Baddie Bards only hosts all Black Queer tables. That said, 'Baddie Bards presents LaBeija's Ball' is no different. It is an event to center Black LGBTQIA+ performers. Therefore, the tables will feature all Black storytellers.
We only accept non-Black folx to work "back of house" (behind the scenes) as producers, graphic designers, and safety team member.
What time zone are you located in?
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What time zone are you located in?
What is your level of experience with TTRPGs?
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What is your level of experience with TTRPGs?
Please take a moment to tell us about yourself! Share your background, interests, and anything else you want us to know!
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Let's talk about LaBeija's Ball!
'BaddieBards presents: LaBeija's Ball' is a charity event to raise money for For the Gworls and Voix Noire. LaBeija's Ball is our tribute to Mother Crystal LaBeija, to our Black Queer and Trans Elders, and to community joy and celebration that was found in both ballroom and block parties. Crystal LaBeija was a pioneer in queer ballroom culture, the progenitor of the House and Family structure for ballroom houses. Cindy and Clive Campbell are the founders of what has now become a staple in Black communities, block parties.
Ballroom has been around since the mid-1800s. Despite Black and Latine people being the primary developers of ballroom culture, balls in the 1960s were run by white queers and often excluded Black and other queer folx of color. Crystal LaBeija saw a place where Black queens were often excluded from and lovingly crafted a space where they could be celebrated and honored instead. Her love created a safe harbor for black and brown queer and trans people to find respite, joy, and warmth. Crystal and Lottie LaBeija created House of LaBeija and would be the the cause of several other houses developing. "Houses" originated and still are beacons in communities for LGBTQIA+ beings, a place of refuge, family, joy, and resistance.
In that same breath, we look at the history of block club party's. In 1973 at Sedgwick Ave in NYC, First Lady & Muva of Hip-Hop Cindy Campbell and her brother, DJ Kool Herc threw a Back-to-School Jam that was wildly successful. What started as a party in the rec room of Cindy's apartment to raise money for her to have a dope back-to-school wardrobe, by the hours of the early morning spilled out into the street. After that, block parties were born - a tool in Black neighborhoods as a tool to bring folx together. It celebrates the spirit of community. Block parties have been used to raise money for it's community members, local schools, and churches as well as host food and clothing drives.
Like Mother Crystal, like First Lady Cindy and DJ Kool Herc, BaddieBards follows the long and rich tradition of carving out joy in the most adverse circumstances. That is Blackness. That is community. And that is why WE ARE HERE.
In the spirit of the original block party, we're using our celebration to raise money for two very special charities.
Voix Noire is an organization run by a by a black queer woman who feeds, houses, and provides safety for black children and people of marginalized genders. She works tirelessly to provide very necessary reparations and joy for marginalized black people.
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For The Gworls follows the old hip-hop tradition of using block parties to raise money for black queer and trans folks to keep roofs over their heads, food in their bellies, and access to life-saving care.
We encourage you to get to know these incredible organizations and support them in any way you can.
This event will take place the entirety of June in celebration of Juneteenth and Pride Month. Each weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) of June there will be one show airing each day. We are hoping to showcase 3 shows for a total of 4 sessions each. The time of the shows airing will be decided upon by the table, with the exception of the Friday show which can begin at 8:30 PM EST at the earliest.
Fridays on June 5, 12, 19, and 26 after 8:30 PM EST: Show A
Saturdays on June 6, 13, 20, 27 at any time: Show B
Sundays on June 7. 14. 21. 28 at any time: Show C
Are you available to make the dates and times above?
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Are you available to make the dates and times above?
We need tech producers to work with our tables for the live streams. Folx who have experience with producing/providing tech support for Actual Plays.
We are looking for 4 producers, and 2 extra to be on call in case a producer is unavailable. In total, we are looking for 6 producers.
Are you interested in being a Producer?
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Are you interested in being a Producer?
What is your experience producing live-streamed Actual Plays?
Safety tools and Session 0s are mandatory for all tables hosted by Baddie Bards. That said, we need a dedicated safety team that will assist our tables with lines and veils, safety tools, and be available during streams to support the tables.
We are looking for 4 safety team members, and 2 extra to be on call in case a safety team member is unavailable. In total, we are looking for 6 safety team members.
Are you interested in being on the Safety Team?
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Are you interested in being on the Safety Team?
What is your process for ensuring safety at the table?
We're looking for folx to assist us with graphics! This means overlays, ads for social media posts (in 1920x1080 and 1080x1080), and short form videos. We are looking for 6-8 graphic design team members.
Are you interested in being on the Graphics Team?
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Are you interested in being on the Graphics Team?
What is your experience with graphic design? Please feel free to provide links to your work.
We're looking for Game Masters! Please read through this thoroughly and carefully, and if you need clarification for anything, please email us at BaddieBards@gmail.com
BaddieBards hosts tables exclusively for Black LGBTQIA+ performers. We are looking for Black Game Masters and Players. Trans folx are always given priority.
So, just so we're clear: if you are applying as a Game Master, that means you're Black. And if you ain't, then it's best you move on to the next section!
Are you interested in running a game?
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Are you interested in running a game?
Please provide a description for your game.
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What system do you plan to use?
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What content warnings, if any, are included in your game? What rating is your game (PG-13, M for Mature)?
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All productions will be hosted on the BaddieBards Youtube and Twitch channel. We will provide downloadable VODs that your table will have access to and you're welcome to host those VODs on your own channel.
If you choose to do so, you are required to credit BaddieBards, provide a link to our landing page, and a link to the charities featured.
What you can expect from this event and BaddieBards:
While we were doing research for this event, the one thing that was at the root of it all was community. The answer is, and always will be, community.
That being said, BaddieBards ensures open and transparent communication. We will remain open and adaptable to any ideas, questions, or concerns from everyone involved in this event. We will prioritize the wellbeing of each team member, each table. We welcome feedback. If you are joining this event, we hope to receive the same from you. This is a collaborative, community event and we want everyone to be heard. As such, the Bards are happy to provide the structure but our community provides the meat of this event. We can't do it without y'all and we thank you with our whole hearts for considering us!
Additionally, we ensure each table will have a Session 0 (with GM, players, producer, and an optional safety team member) and utilize safety tools. It is required by each table.
We'll be using Lines and Veils, X/N/O Cards, an Open Door policy for players, a break mid-game, post-game aftercare, and a debrief called Stars and Wishes. There are also anonymized cards in the Foundry VTT that work with the X/N/O system as well.
What are Lines and Veils, X/N/O Cards, and Stars and Wishes?
You can find more information about each tool below!
Are you okay with using these safety tools as we play?
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Are you okay with using these safety tools as we play?
During Session 0, there will be a time to go over everyone's Lines and Veils. Players will be given a safety consent checklist to fill out prior to meeting. We will talk about things we want to see in the game vs. things we don't want to see. This will be the first 60-90 minutes of the Session 0. The remaining time will be spent in character creation.
Attendance at Session 0 is mandatory! Safety is of the utmost importance in any roleplaying experience and we want everyone to have fun.
The date and time for Session 0 will be Thursday, April 3 at 5pm PST/8pm EST.
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Do you need any accommodations while volunteering? If none, please reply N/A.
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Is there anything else you'd like us to know?
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