CALLING ALL GAYMERS: New Report on LGBTQIA+ Gaming Experience
Hello everyone. Spending the week with my friends and family was wonderful, though quite hectic, seeing as many people as I can (and I never get to see everyone, sadly). Now I am back and so is the Queer Friendly Nonprofit!
Recently, GLAAD came out with their GLAAD Gaming Report about the state of the LGBTQ+ experience in the gaming community. While we will go over the report highlights, you can find the whole report here. In the following post, I have added the page numbers where I got the information.
GLAAD Gaming Report:
Gaming is an important part of LGBTQ+ culture; approximately 1 in 5 active gamers identify as LGBTQ+, though less than 2% of all games have LGBTQ+ characters or stories (5). Gaming can include many things, such as video games and board games (I myself tend to be more of a board game player than a video gamer but I do still love my PS5!). This report mostly focuses on video games and how LGBTQ+ people do (and do not) relate to games/the gaming community.
This is an important topic for several reasons. Of course, gamers want games and characters who represent themselves; Not only are few playable characters LGBTQ+, most tend to be white, cis-gendered males (overall, females only make up 22% and people of color, 20% of the main characters in the top video games sold) (16). Gaming is important for many LGBTQ+ individuals. LGBTQ+ gamers are 11% more likely to use gaming as an escape from difficulties of the world, and they are more likely, by 24%, to use gaming as a way to get through tough times. Gaming is an important way to explore new worlds when the outside world is not friendly. Furthermore, gaming also allows LGBTQ+ individuals to express themselves in ways they don’t feel comfortable doing in the real world. 74% of gamers felt that they could be their true selves when gaming (21). For 35% of LGBTQ+ gamers, gaming is their only social outlet (26). This paragraph, from page 23, I feel shows the importance of gaming to LGBTQ+ individuals:
There is harassment within the gaming community that is important to discuss. This is not news; one of the most infamous examples is gamergate. 38% of LGBTQ+ individuals reported feeling that they didn’t belong within gaming communities (26). In my own personal experience, gaming can be tough because people can be mean while hiding behind anonymity, and gate keeping within the gaming community can negatively impact those who might be “different”.
What does this mean for nonprofit organizations?
Gaming is important for many people, as a hobby, as a way to express oneself, as a way to discover one’s identity, and as a retreat from a world that is becoming more and more hateful. For nonprofit organizations, it is important to understand the ways in which gaming can be a positive or negative experience. There are many LGBTQ+ gaming organizations across the US. Having access to these organizations can help you send LGBTQ+ gamers to supports so they can express themselves freely. Some gaymer nonprofits in the United States include (but not limited to):
GaymerX: An LGBTQ-focused gaming convention.
Qweerty Gamers: Advance representation in gaming.
Boston Gaymers: Supporting gaymers in the Boston area.
NYC Gaymers: Supporting gaymers in the New York City area.
Houston Gaymers: Supporting gaymers in the Houston area.
PDX Gaymers: Supporting gaymers in the Portland, OR area.
Charlotte Gayming Network: Supporting gaymers in Charlotte, NC