Pride logo

Playing Myself

A poem about finding representation through roleplay

By Kelsey ClareyPublished 2 years ago 1 min read
Runner-up in Represented Challenge
Playing Myself
Photo by Dan Horgan on Unsplash

Queer representation existed when I was growing up, but it was limited. Only certain sexualities, presented in a certain light.

I couldn't see myself in these depictions, so I obviously must be straight. Right?

In high school I started to roleplay on tumblr, first as modernized Disney characters and then as Marvel characters, and sometimes I headcanon them to be queer.

But that was just in the name of practicing diversity in my writing. Right?

In university, the person I might be in a relationship we haven't yet defined with gets me into a Dungeons and Dragons game with their friends. My first character is bisexual.

I play more characters in more tabletop roleplaying games. Almost all of them are queer.

And at some point, I realize...

Oh, this feels right.

Pop CulturePoetryEmpowermentIdentity

About the Creator

Kelsey Clarey

She/Her/Fae/Faer. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. I mostly write poetry and flash fiction currently, a lot of it fantasy/folklore/fairy tale inspired. I also like to do a lot of fiber arts and design TTRPGs.

https://linktr.ee/islanderscaper

Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.

Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed.

Subscribe For Free

Reader insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment
    Written by Kelsey Clarey