"To provide a safe environment that allows us to learn about ourselves and others while sharing our passion for all things nerdy."
That is Wonderland Gaming's new Mission Statement.
That's a weird sentence for me to type. Makes things seem all "official" and whatnot. Here's why I've struggled with coming up with a Mission Statement in the past. It's not because I don't have a clear idea of what I want Wonderland Gaming to be. It just feels like we're still a growing community, and coming up with things like Mission Statements seems a bit pretentious. Like I'm trying to pass my little Twitch channel off as some massive corporation. But something recently made me change my mind about this.
I was talking to a friend, talking through my worry that the message of the channel wasn't getting through. I was concerned people just see me as one of many LGBTQIA+ streamers out there offering a "Safe Space" for people to come and hang out. Now don't get me wrong, that is definitely of interest to me. But I feel our community is so much -more- than that!
We're about exploring each others' diversity (whatever that diversity may be), learning about what makes us different, and what makes us the same, and celebrating that diversity. Sure, we goof around and make fun of each other (especially Phil, because we love him so). But at the end of the day, we are a community that supports and loves each other.
I've said before in several AAA streams that I know it can be difficult for cis or straight folks to learn about what it's like to be trans. Or have an alternative sexuality for that matter. But usually questions along this line are met with hostility. And to be clear, they should be. It's nobody's business what's going on between your legs or between your sheets. If you wish to share this information, that's one thing, but it's unacceptable for somebody to ask (or demand you justify!) which bathroom you plan on using. Or whether you are "post-op" or not. Or whatever.
However, for those genuinely curious, it is truly difficult to learn. And I feel the more people know, the better. Knowledge is power, and when we are ALL powerful, then we are, as a society, greater than we are individually.
That's all a lot of words to basically say, we have differences. We have things we wish we knew, but don't know how to ask. Wonderland Gaming isn't just a place to go to watch a goofy old lady play games badly. It's not just a place to go where you can feel safe and protected from the vile hatred in the world today. It's both of those things and so much more!
Back to my complaining to my friend. She asked me a simple question. "What is your message?" I paused. And then I started to explain the above. About the "3 Simple Rules," about Safe Spaces, about asking questions. And then I realized, -we need a Mission Statement-! I needed to be able to tell somebody, in 1-3 sentences, exactly what we are about.
In the end, we are about everything I've mentioned above. And more. We're about having a "safe environment." Very important. We want to help people learn about themselves and others! Very important. And we want to share our passion for "nerdy stuff." Which is broad. Any subject, explained with enough depth, could be considered "nerdy." From the weather, to naval weapon systems, to mechs, video games... the list goes on.
But in the end, we have one thing. Community.
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