Liz Cultivates | L.M. Fern

As humans, we seek community and companionship. As a human, I have been part of several different kinds of communities in my life — and each has been instrumental in my development as a person and as an artist.

I have benefited from these communities. I have also been a participant in many. Sometimes, I feel like I’ve benefited more than I’ve participated… But in general, I do my best to be a good person and reciprocal member of the communities in which I find myself. I’ve been part of writing cohorts (both undergraduate and graduate), tabletop roleplaying groups, literary magazine staff, and an enjoyer of podcasts (such that I’ve joined online spaces to talk about said podcasts). I’m an employee of a university. I’m a perpetual student and have enjoyed being on the periphery of the academic community, for all its flaws.

The most recent community of which I’ve been an active member is the Cool Gamer Retirement Home, a welcoming group of Twitch streamers who found one day that they all shared a love for video games and a distaste for capitalism. We started gaming together in 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when we were all desperate for human connection in a world that seemed intent on destroying us. It has grown into a Discord server of more than 100 people and supporters, a tight-knit group of admins (which has been added to since), and many deep, profound friendships that wouldn’t have existed had that original group not sought out companionship and solidarity in 2021.

Retirement activities

One of the things the CGRH has been doing as a group is hosting what we’re calling the Composed podcast, where a panel of volunteers from the admin team discuss a predetermined topic. We’ve done four Composed panels now, and the first two episodes focused on mental health & gaming and video games as community-building mechanisms. For all of the first few episodes, the idea of finding a supportive community arose as an answer to the issues being discussed. So, when we discussed as a group what we would do for our fourth show, it seemed obvious that we should talk a bit about our own community — how we created it, how we foster it. How we make sure to support each other in this group we have cultivated.

My piece of the puzzle centered around community as a safe space. We have tried very hard to create an online space that is just that: a place where our members feel safe enough to express themselves and show their true selves while simultaneously being shielded from harassment and discrimination. A true “safe space” is not just an arena where anyone can say anything; it also carries the connotation of being safe from outside harm, emotional or physical. Where voices can be heard and where marginalized groups can exist without question.

It doesn’t happen on accident. The intentionality behind it is key!! And it’s not just about the Discord server. It’s about how we as people move through the world and

I drew on my experiences with community throughout my life to help build this place with my fellow “retired” folks. It was important to us that the space acted like a family in terms of support, but also like a local, like-minded organization — capitalism isn’t going to support us, so we have to support each other.

Found family is real family

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how lucky I am to have found a group of people who do as we do: support each other, build each other up, validate our fears and dreams and feelings. No matter what we have going on that day, we find the time to check in. I’ve found best friends in this group.

All of this is to say: While I may not stream much anymore, this group of people, gathered for various reasons and for various causes, have become my family. There is, after all, some truth to the old adage that home is where your heart is — and my heart, in this instance, is my found family and community in the CGRH.