Last year, around this time, I was throwing a prayer out for @bigbadcon funding. The universe responded.

It's been 24 game releases, 1 major pub credit (and counting), 10+ panels/podcasts/streams, 1 upcoming lecture, 5 sensitivity consults, 10+ commissions/features since then.

I have a really really long list of people to thank for me being where I am right now. As things stand, all of these opportunities - and the work I am still being given - are helping me do things and sustain myself that has never been possible before. And it's not just the work.

The people who have welcomed me into their spaces or trusted me with curating theirs have done so much. The folks who have tipped me, sent money when stuff was bad, checked in, given me things (like my mic and webcam)...

Kindness goes a long way towards breaking down gates.

There's a lot of uncertainty right now. My plans, some relevant to my future in the industry, been put in pause. But I'm still getting patrons, still getting work.

And BBC is where that started. BBC, made possible by people around that con who wanted more folks like me there.

I have been thinking for days about what to put in this thread. All the gratitude and good memories I have from the con are ironically making the words difficult.

There's still a long way to go. There's still a lot of shit out there, a lot of work to be done. But I'm hopeful.

Because so many of you chose to take a chance and continue to do your best to recognize me for who I am and what I stand for, I feel like I can do the same for other people without worrying too much about myself. This space has made me smarter, more powerful, and more critical.

And I guess that would be my major statement for all of you. If you're ready & able, consider the ladders up to a more stable space in game design. Consider the people above you, the people below you, and those around you. Who can we uplift? Which parts of the ladder are missing?

We don't even have to think big. A few bucks to a ko-fi could make all the difference for a struggling creator. A review and rating in Itch could boost visibility. An RT/like of a Twitter post could bring that message to the right eyes. Some kind feedback could fix a game.

So. Hello, world. This queer Pinay is here to stay, and is out to make more spaces. She hopes that more of us could consider doing the same.

Changing the industry comes from all ends, all places. It's important to recognize that, and figure out the best place for us to start.