Building an empowered, respectful, and diverse gaming community since 2020. The Charlotte Gaymers Network is a bona fide 501c3 non-profit organization and is led by a team of volunteers. Check out our projects.

































We thank our corporate partners, individual sponsors, and venues for supporting the important work of the Charlotte Gaymers Network. Please consider supporting these organizations and folks, who are adamant in supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
The Charlotte Gaymers Network (CGN) was founded by friends Jonny Saldana and Zach Smith, who identified a need in the LGBTQ+ community to stay connected to one another in the midst of a world altering pandemic. Founded on July 6th, 2020, CGN strives to create an inclusive environment of folks from all walks of life who are united in our passion and love for all things gaming. Group members enjoy board games, tabletop games, video games, and the social events that bring us together. Our events take place in Charlotte, North Carolina and its surrounding areas. Our members are diverse, enthusiastic to meet new friends, and most importantly — welcoming. We hope to see you at an event soon!
Looking to join?
Not only does membership include Discord benefits, you’ll have access to priority event registration, an open invitation to exclusive events which feature an open bar, dinner, entertainment & more! We also have exciting additional benefits for businesses and individuals who become Executive level members, listed below. Becoming a CGN+ Member is not mandatory to participate in our events, but is encouraged, so we can continue hosting our events for free. Please consider becoming a CGN+ Member today, and supporting the work of your local LGBTQIA+ community gaming organization!
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Check out these images from just a few of our events!
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Why I joined CGN: I’m excited to lend my institutional knowledge to the organization to make sure we’re making sound financial decisions and propelling the organization to new heights. I also wanted a fun way to get involved and network with people who share an interest in gaming!
Jamal Harvey is a dedicated community leader, life insurance professional, and advocate for civic engagement in Charlotte, North Carolina. With a passion for helping individuals and families protect their futures, Jamal has built a reputation for integrity, personalized service, and deep commitment to the people he serves.
Beyond his professional work, Jamal has served in multiple leadership roles across the Charlotte community. From 2018 to 2025, he was a member of the Board of Directors for CMPAC (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Accountability Coalition), where he served in several capacities, including Vice Chair and as a member of the Grievance Committee. In these roles, Jamal supported initiatives that promote accountability, fairness, and stronger connections between community members and law enforcement.
He also served as Board Chair of Queen City Unity (QCU), a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting unity, diversity, and inclusion throughout the Charlotte area. In this capacity, Jamal helped guide strategic initiatives that foster stronger community relationships and create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration across all backgrounds.
In addition, Jamal serves as Chairman of the Friends of Keep Charlotte Beautiful board, supporting projects aimed at preserving the city’s natural beauty, promoting environmental stewardship, and encouraging volunteerism to improve local neighborhoods. His work with this organization reflects his belief that thriving communities are built not only through social connection but also through environmental care and pride of place.
Driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact, Jamal combines his professional expertise with his volunteer leadership to help build a stronger, cleaner, and more united Charlotte. Whether working one-on-one with clients or shaping community programs, he approaches every role with the same dedication: to serve, to uplift, and to inspire.
Why I joined CGN: I joined because i wanted to start making new friends that shared the same interest as me. Some people that you can just say “Hey want to play a game?” and most of the time you will get a response and just have fun. I love the sense of community this group has brought to my attention and how much we care for each other even if we barely know each other.
Why I joined CGN: I am a board game and RPG fanatic, I was looking for a community to play with after my local group dissolved during the pandemic. I saw a Facebook ad for CGN back in fall of 2020 about playing D&D and really enjoyed the atmosphere of the group.
Why I joined CGN: I absolutely love what CGN has done and continues to do for the Charlotte LGBTQIA+ community, and especially the fact that it is a safe inclusive place within the Queen City Gaming scene. As a local journalist and hometown resident, watching its growth has been awing in the short time the organization has been around, and I see something bigger for it here. I personally like being able to come hang out a place where everyone knows your name or face, and just belong, no matter who you are. Having that is so essential to life, and I can’t think of anything fuller to contribute to.
Jonny Saldana co-founded the Charlotte Gaymers Network (CGN) in 2019 with a vision to build a vibrant, inclusive space where LGBTQ gamers and their allies could connect, thrive, and feel seen. As CGN’s first Executive Director, Jonny led the organization through years of transformative growth, creating innovative programs that blended community, advocacy, and care.
During his tenure, he launched several cornerstone initiatives including Project Blue Shell (reducing school violence and increasing academic performance), Project Save Point (a mutual aid fund supporting low-income LGBTQ individuals), Project Saturn (a tech and leadership development program for marginalized youth), and Operation New Dawn (a continuity and legacy initiative for leadership transitions). Each of these projects reflected his deep commitment to equity, joy, and sustainable community-building. Additionally, Jonny and his team of leaders launched Gaymer Gathering, now recognized as the largest LGBTQ+ monthly event in the Carolinas, consistently drawing hundreds of community members each month.
Jonny stepped down in 2025, leaving behind a thriving nonprofit rooted in the values he helped shape. Though no longer leading day-to-day operations, he continues to champion CGN’s mission and support its work from afar. His legacy lives on in every connection made, every story told, and every life impacted by CGN’s work.
Zach Smith co-founded the Charlotte Gaymers Network (CGN) alongside Jonny Saldana, playing a critical role in laying the technological and strategic groundwork that helped the organization flourish. From developing CGN’s early web and server infrastructure to shaping its event strategy and building a dynamic, welcoming community, Zach’s influence was foundational to CGN’s success.
A visionary technologist and thoughtful leader, Zach ensured CGN’s systems and experiences were as innovative as they were inclusive. His behind-the-scenes work empowered CGN to scale, connect, and grow in ways that continue to benefit the organization today.
Now living in Columbia, South Carolina with his husband and their adorable pup, Pearl, Zach enjoys a thriving career as a Program Manager at RTI International. Though no longer active in CGN’s daily operations, his legacy remains embedded in the very architecture of the organization he helped bring to life.
Our signature monthly event, Gaymer Gathering is the essential CGN experience. Enter the storied halls of the Carolina Esports Hub, a state of the art esports facility, and enjoy our offerings.
The best part? Our guests are able to enjoy all of the above for free, no strings attached. See you there!
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CGN After Dark is a monthly event structured in a similar way to Gaymer Gathering. The biggest difference is that this event is on the move! CGN After Dark is hosted at different times during the month and rotates around venues in Charlotte that support the LGBTQ+ community. This allows us to spotlight affirming businesses and offer unique activities, food, drinks, perks, and more depending on the event.
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CGN Unplugged is a monthly event with a whole new twist! At CGN Unplugged events, we won’t be setting up any video games whatsoever, and instead will only be setting up board games, tabletop games, and have a section set up for Dungeons and Dragons. Our Dungeons and Dragons group will be playing a unique and customized ruleset based off of 5e called QuestCo, a D&D ruleset similar to DDAL that you will only be able to find at CGN. These events are perfect for folks who may not be interested in or comfortable playing video games at our other events. Focusing purely on games of the tabletop variety, this is a great alternative for folks who would still like to be a part of our organization.
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CGN+ Member Events are invite only events for those who purchased a membership to support our organization. These smaller, intimate, and exclusive events are custom tailored for our membership and feature open bars, food, unique venues, and fun activities to acquaint our dues paying members with one another, and gives CGN leadership the opportunity to give back and give thanks to those who financially support the organization. Consider becoming a CGN+ Member today and reap the rewards!
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CGN Socials are events in which our guests travel to a venue to partake in a social activity, whether it’s kayaking at the whitewater center, hiking Crowders Mountain, or playing a fun game of paintball, these events are curated in a way to fully unplug our guests from video games and board games. These events will feature a myriad of different activities, all over town, with varying ranges of physical activity. Whether it’s a CGN Broadway night at the Blumenthal Theatre or going to a concert, we plan to showcase the many fun things to do around the Queen City with these events.
Sign up on our mailing list and you’ll receive our registration emails for events!
Sign up on our mailing list and you’ll receive our registration emails for events!
Sapphic Socials are a monthly relaxed atmosphere event that incorporates unique interpretations of gaming into a Sapphic setting. Sapphic Socials lean themselves towards an atmosphere of calm, friendly fun and draw on Yin properties which are traditionally labeled in the Western world as “Female”.
These events are designed to welcome lesbian, bisexual and pansexual trans femmes, mascs, nonbinary folks and cis women as well as male allies.
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