Trans*/genderqueer/non-binary/etc., trading card game. *POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNING

[jayjthejetplane]

Hey everyone, I'm saving for top surgery currently and an idea I have is to make a trading card game (similar to Pokemon, in some ways) that relates to trans*/genderqueer/non-binary people. The card types are Character, Problem, Resolution, Setting, and Action. It's based on a Confidence Points system, and the "attack" cards (Problem, and possibly Setting) have situations that would be something that causes discomfort or dysphoria, and takes away CP from your Character cards. The "defense" cards (Resolution, Action, possibly Setting) would increase CP.

There's a possible trigger warning because I'm personally not very politically correct. That's why I'm coming here. I'd like to find some humor-based, non offensive things to use. The ideas I've got so far are:

"You have been misgendered in a small group of friends who are aware of your transition. Though it is not as horrible as being misgendered in public, it's still hurtful.
-10 CP"
""You'll always be my daughter/son!"
Mom and dad are at it again. They don't understand, so they don't know how much they're hurting you.
-30 CP"
"That new STP you bought has been working flawlessly... until you bring it out in public. Standing at the urinal in the men's restroom you suffer from stage fright and piss down your pant leg!
-50 CP"
""Aren't you a little short for a guy?"
I'm just funsized! Height is an issue for a lot of trans*men, your ego is definitely bruised.
-5 CP"
"Time for an uncomfortable waddle to the ladies room - your tuck wasn't quite as secure as it was this morning. Don't worry, people aren't noticing like you think they are!
-20 CP"

Most are related to trans* guys because I am a transman so my experience is pretty limited. I need some input from other people along the spectrum. Let me know if any of these are offensive, and how they can be improved. Also if you've got any ideas that would be awesome too! Thanks everyone.

[Devlyn]

You would be selling to a small market, but sometimes a niche market is the way to go. Maybe I should sell Transgender Dandelion Wine! Best wishes! Hugs, Devlyn

[jayjthejetplane]

I know I've limited myself with selling to the trans* community... I could have very well expanded to the LGBTQ community as well, but I think that there's a bit more of a "family" feel within the trans* community and I've have a lot more support through it... Thank you! I really do hope it turns out to be a good idea when it's finished.

I still need some more ideas outside of the trans*man experience.

[AndrewL]

I think your idea for creating a card game is interesting. I'm currently working on one myself, not to make money but to help educate people on terminology.

I would be careful with how you present the game though. Think about the effects of the game if it was the only resource someone ever saw about trans/non-binary gendered individuals. Will it reinforce the stereotypes that make transitioning difficult? Does it reinforce gender stereotypes & biases? Do you think you have the experience necessary to accurately represent the gains and challenges for MtF's? Fluid individuals? Gynandromorphs? other FtM's? I say this because I have had to train a GLB group on T's and I can imagine how much harder my job would have been if they had "experience" via playing a game that was meant as a jest.

Also, all of the suggestions you propose are negative, which would make it a game that would bring me down. Have you thought about what positive cards you could include? Like:
      - One of you parents sends you a valentine accepting you as your gender identity gain (****)
      - The documentation for your state ID card came through gain (****)
      - A friend challenges you to consider your privilege from the perspective of your gender identity gain (****)
      - Your receive a medical treatment you have been fighting for gain (****)
      - Through transition your recognize a personal bias (****)

Also what is the end point of the game, the victory condition? Is it about gaining confidence in one's own identity or about "passing" to others? Most of the situations you list deal with others reactions or the learning curve that comes from exploring other options for your body. No one, trans or otherwise has control over how others react.

All in all, a good idea. It might help to find someone to review the cards for you who is sensitive to biases and could point out which ones might reinforce negative stereotypes rather than just being fun.

[MrTesto]

I think it is a very cool idea. I have often likened transition to chutes & ladders, during trainings to social service providers.

[jayjthejetplane]

I think your idea for creating a card game is interesting. I'm currently working on one myself, not to make money but to help educate people on terminology.

I would be careful with how you present the game though. Think about the effects of the game if it was the only resource someone ever saw about trans/non-binary gendered individuals. Will it reinforce the stereotypes that make transitioning difficult? Does it reinforce gender stereotypes & biases? Do you think you have the experience necessary to accurately represent the gains and challenges for MtF's? Fluid individuals? Gynandromorphs? other FtM's? I say this because I have had to train a GLB group on T's and I can imagine how much harder my job would have been if they had "experience" via playing a game that was meant as a jest.

Also, all of the suggestions you propose are negative, which would make it a game that would bring me down. Have you thought about what positive cards you could include? Like:
      - One of you parents sends you a valentine accepting you as your gender identity gain (****)
      - The documentation for your state ID card came through gain (****)
      - A friend challenges you to consider your privilege from the perspective of your gender identity gain (****)
      - Your receive a medical treatment you have been fighting for gain (****)
      - Through transition your recognize a personal bias (****)

Also what is the end point of the game, the victory condition? Is it about gaining confidence in one's own identity or about "passing" to others? Most of the situations you list deal with others reactions or the learning curve that comes from exploring other options for your body. No one, trans or otherwise has control over how others react.

All in all, a good idea. It might help to find someone to review the cards for you who is sensitive to biases and could point out which ones might reinforce negative stereotypes rather than just being fun.

The reason I come here is to get all the information outside of my own identity (Because I am very limited being a masculine identified transman) so that I can make sure I am not using stereotypes or biases. I've been asking people of varying identities on the gender spectrum for their input as well.

The reason all the suggestions were negative was just that I was working on "attack" cards first, and hadn't gotten around to any positive ones. I definitely will have positive ones though. I have a few ideas for one but what I really need is ideas from other peoples' experiences instead of just my own and a few other friends'.

The end point of the game is confidence. That's all it deals in. The Character cards will be "weakest" to "strongest" depending on the confidence of the particular character. There's going to be a lot of variation, identities, etc., so it's not "Someone who has had a "complete" transition is the strongest" There won't be anything that suggests that trans* people have to do this and that to be "real" trans* people. I'm keeping it as politically correct and informative as possible while still trying to add some humor to it.

Thanks for all the input, it's appreciated. I'll be showing the card templates to a few different people, though I'm always looking for more who will be honest about it.