Spring showers give way to hot summer air as pride flags fill the sky. That’s right, it’s Pride Month again!
Among all the corporations trying to take advantage of a community-centric celebration are individual content creators. While there is an established LGBTQIA+ scene on YouTube and other platforms, Twitch’s is still growing. Part of this is due to Twitch’s recent surge of growth and its many niches.
For this year’s Pride Month, Twitch is covering a variety of LGBTQIA+ creators in its 30-day spotlight. Twitch creators are also hosting events like the OutLoud: Raising Voices concert, a Gay Gaming Professionals Developer Weekend, and Midboss’s 2021 Season of Pride.
If Minecraft isn’t your thing, try checking out one of Twitch’s or Season of Pride’s spotlighted creators!
Eret (any pronouns); Bisexual
Known for their gender-defying fashion and preference for any pronoun, Eret is one of the Minecraft community’s biggest LGBTQIA+ beacons. While they play a variety of games, their primary content is Minecraft centered. On the Dream SMP, they roleplay as a revolutionist-turned-king and live in a lavish pride castle.
Eret also hosts subscriber milestones where they encourage freedom of gender expression by wearing dresses, suits, and anything that suits them. They celebrate people coming out on stream and discuss LGBTQIA+ issues.
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Aside from Twitch, they’re also on YouTube, TikTok, and a variety of other platforms.
Nihachu (she/her); Bisexual
Sweet and wholesome, Nihachu “started streaming because [she likes] to spread positivity and make people smile”. True to the fact, she tries her best to keep her streams inclusive and often raises money for mental health (or other causes).
Nihachu roleplays as a syndicate anarchist on the Dream SMP and a mermaid on the Origin SMP. She also participates in Minecraft Championships and plays a variety of other games.
CaptainPuffy (she/her); Bisexual
Puffy is a regular Minecraft Championship player and close friends with Eret. Although her biography brands her as a “variety caster”, she primarily streams Minecraft.
https://youtu.be/vyhOaEvw46Q
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On the Dream SMP, she roleplays as the parent of FoolishG and leader of a loose anti-egg resistance. She also joins Nihachu, Minx, and other female streamers for on-stream Discord chats.
Antfrost & VelvetIsCake (he/him); Gay
When it comes to these two, there is no separating them. They come as a pair…largely because they are one!
Boyfriends for over two years, the two are known for flirting a lot on Twitter. They also stream Minecraft and other games, including first-person shooters like Valorant. Antfrost roleplays an alien-egg-obsessed villain on the Dream SMP and often participates in Dream Team videos (notably Dream’s Minecraft Manhunt series).
The Importance of LGBTQIA+ Representation in Gaming
In both the Minecraft and gaming community at large is a disorienting heteronormative and sometimes anti-LGBTQIA+ culture. “Gay” is often thrown around as a joke or insult; pronouns aren’t discussed often and those with nonbinary pronouns can face aggressive pushback.
Whether this is because the community hails from all over the world (including nations where it’s illegal to be gay) or because it’s predominantly male, one thing is for sure. Exposure to representation and diverse cultures can help people reexamine preconceptions and make everyone feel safe expressing themselves.
Whether this is because the community hails from all over the world (including nations where it’s illegal to be gay) or because it’s predominantly male, one thing is for sure. Exposure to representation and diverse cultures can help people reexamine preconceptions and make everyone feel safe expressing themselves.
