TTRPGS For Trans Rights Launches New Campaign Benefitting Project Rainbow in West Virginia
For the third year running, TTRPGs for Trans Rights is launching an itch.io game bundle to benefit trans-centered organizations – this year focusing on Appalachia.
This year’s TTRPGs for Trans Rights charity bundle launches today, offering over 520 games, zines, supplements, and more for as low as $5. The proceeds of this year’s bundle benefit Project Rainbow, West Virginia’s only LGBTQ+ shelter and advocacy center.
Anti-trans sentiment, legislation, and fearmongering have been on the rise over the past few years – in America and around the world. Since the start of 2024, over 450 anti-trans bills have been drafted and submitted at the local, state, and federal level. These bills disproportionately affect queer and trans people living in conservative-controlled states, especially queer and trans people of color.
“As a mixed-race, disabled trans person, seeing the rise in dangerous rhetoric around the country sparked something in me,” said Rue Dickey, Founder and Executive Director, “There’s not a lot I can do as one person, but by bringing together a community effort like these bundles, we can give resources directly to trans people being harmed by these policies.”
Grassroots organizations working directly with queer and trans people in these areas are doing extremely difficult, vital work, and TTRPGs for Trans Rights specifically selects charities based on that principle.
Previous years’ bundles have focused on trans-centered charities in Texas (TTRPGs for Trans Rights 2022) and Florida (TTRPGs for Trans Rights 2023). Over the past two years, between bundle purchase contributions and donation matching, TTRPGs for Trans Rights has raised over$800,000 for the benefitting organizations.
Project Rainbow, this year’s funding recipient, is the only LGBTQ+ shelter in West Virginia. On top of providing access to emergency shelter, housing services, and connections to mental and medical health from affirming providers, Project Rainbow also hosts a variety of community engagement activities for the LGBTQ+ community in Appalachia.
This year’s bundle features 529 games, zines, supplements, tools, and more by over 250 designers. Game designers and developers have graciously donated their games to this bundle, giving the charity bundle a value of over $500 – all for a donation as low as $5. TTRPGs for Trans Rights has also reached out to a variety of publishing partners who distribute outside of itch.io for additional donations. One such partner, Paizo Inc., is offering PDF copies of Pathfinder Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall to everyone who supports the bundle and fills out the linked google form.
External publishers, accessory makers, and other companies who wish to participate are encouraged to email the organizers or fill out the contact form on the TTRPGs for Trans Rights website.
The TTRPGs for Trans Rights in West Virginia Bundle will be available from 9am Pacific on Thursday, April 25th through 11:59pm Pacific on Saturday, June 1st.The initial donation goal for the project is $50,000, with the potential for further stretch goals.
