QueerQuest, which has about 180 active members and a Discord community numbering more than 300, expanded to a second gaming location to accommodate players
RICH LOPEZ | A&E Reporter
Rich@DallasVoice.com
The inaugural Barovian Ball marks a major milestone for QueerQuest, a rapidly growing Tarrant County organization with a humble origin story. Set for Oct. 17, this gothic fantasy fundraiser will feature drag performances, tarot readings, artisan vendors and an immersive guest experience.
That’s quite a leap for the organization founded a year ago with the mission to combat loneliness by fostering connection, creativity and belonging for LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent communities by way of Dungeons and Dragons.
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The Barovian Ball
Saturday, Oct. 17
8 p.m.-midnight (VIP entry starting at 7 p.m.)
Ages 21 and older only
Red’s Roadhouse
170 E. Kennedale Parkway in Kennedale
Tickets are $65 for general admission,
$80 for VIP admission, available online at
TicketTailor.com
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“Everything’s gonna be pretty cool. Guests will see characters from the D&D universe that they interact and roll dice with,” QueerQuest founder and Executive Director Brad DeBorde said. “It’s been pretty cool to put together.”
A year-ish ago, DeBorde might not have imagined being in this position. The theater teacher by day was merely having chats about creating a queer-centric, role-playing-game space. He describes it as a club for adults offering a third space to play tabletop games – mostly D&D.
He credits the idea, though, to Katie Hayes.
“She’s the pastor over at Galileo Church, which is a very progressive Disciples of Christ Church, and this is her brainchild,” DeBorde said. “She was getting a grant to start a community program, and she and I worked together before for a fundraiser for Finn’s Place.”
His day job helped with his experience in professional development. Hayes also knew DeBorde loved the game and has used it to help those with social emotional learning.
“There’s a lot of research behind that, and there’s a lot of really good things that D&D can do for these kids, and she knew I was doing that,” he said.
The idea then popped up: What about for adults? DeBorde figured there may be a stronger need for that, so he was brought on to develop and run the new initiative.
The group celebrated a year this past June.
Initially, DeBorde figured QueerQuest would draw about 30 people. But the group exploded.
“We got about 80 people, and, today, we’re serving about 150 players,” he said. “We were also just going to run a season for 10 weeks, but that’s longer now.” The group’s Discord community numbers above 300.
The group also outgrew its Fort Worth space and now has a second gaming location in Hurst for twice the play, meeting every first and third Thursday and Saturday.
Fully inclusive, QueerQuest welcomes everyone to its tables — from newbies to experienced players and even to those who may not identify as queer or neurodivergent — or, as the site states, neurospicy.
“We just want everyone to just be chill and enjoy the games and company,” DeBorde said. “We need this space to be safe for our queer and neurodivergent folks. And as we’ve expanded now, it’s really like we’re trying to focus on all the marginalized and all their allies to still have a place to come and play.”
A season runs about five months, with 10 games going at once, so QueerQuest hosts two seasons a year at each location. Guests can partake in either one-shot games or longform sessions with full campaigns with Dungeon Masters leading the way. Session Zero night usually serves as the launch for new campaigns and even new friends.
Campaigns can be long-term commitments, so people will find themselves playing against and sitting with the same people for an extensive amount of time.
In a world of fantasy, this is perhaps the most magical spot of all DeBorde’s work.
Players range from Gen X and Millennials to even a few Gen Alphas. And DeBorde said he appreciates the diverse range of generations that come together because of the game.
“It’s nice that they can share stories and get excited about the game, and we always want to make sure there’s a table for everybody to feel comfortable,” he said.
The players’ focus may be on their characters, but DeBorde sees something more.
“There is laughter and pure joy each time we have a session,” he said. “These people coming together as strangers and leaving as friends is incredible.
“One dad told me this was the first time he’d seen his son flourish. I had someone come to me wide-eyed telling me they made a friend. Two players from one particular table are now dating. All of that is worth every penny.”
Which is where The Barovian Ball comes in. Not only is it a celebration of QueerQuest’s success, it also helps raise funds for the nonprofit.
“Our big thing is that we keep this free for our players,” DeBorde said. “We do have a Patreon, and we’re always looking for grants, and we’ve had some amazing angel investors.
And now we’re throwing a ball to help with that and operating costs.”
The Barovian Ball will happen at Red’s Roadhouse in Kennedale with a headlining performance by Marquis of Vaudeville.
And DeBorde is ready to serve it up.
“I emceed the Witches Ball a few times, and I asked that team if they minded this event was in the same vein as that. We knew we wanted goth and fantasy, and they were very helpful,” he said. “Now we have this really cool event with drag and burlesque and everything.”
The ball is one more step in DeBorde’s own quest for this group.
“I would love to team up with churches, secular businesses who want to give back to the community. I’d love our own space, and, honestly, I hope I can make this my full time job.
“I’ll always be a teacher, but here I can do it all the time with D&D for my community,” he said.
To learn more about QueerQuest or for tickets to The Bavorian Ball, visit Linktr.ee/QueerQuestClub.