09/05/2024 | Writer: Belgin Günay
LGBTI+ gamers convened at the inaugural QueerGaming camp, uniting against sexism, homophobia, transphobia, interphobia, and hate speech within the gaming community.
In Mersin, gamers convened to explore the potential of transforming gaming, a source of well-being, into a safe and inclusive space. Facilitated by the support of Sivil Düşün, Muamma LGBTI+ Association, and the QueerGaming Initiative, queer gamers gathered to address issues of sexism, homophobia, transphobia, interphobia, biased violence, and hate speech prevalent within the gaming community. Over the course of three days, 20 gamers from diverse age groups, representing various institutions or acting as independent LGBTI+ activists, engaged in discussions regarding the challenges encountered in the gaming sphere and shared their personal experiences.
During the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on the fact that women and LGBTI+ individuals are disproportionately targeted by hate speech and verbal sexual violence within the gaming community. It was highlighted that these groups, who turn to gaming as a source of well-being, often encounter an unsafe environment that undermines their ability to find solace and enjoyment in gaming.
LGBTI+ employers in the game industry were also present in the meeting
Participants shared their motivations for gaming and recounted their experiences within the gaming community, highlighting that many gamers opt for solo play over multiplayer games to safeguard their mental well-being and personal safety. This trend, however, exacerbates feelings of isolation and exclusion within the gaming sphere. Moreover, issues such as sexism in game content, binary gender segregation in e-sports teams, and the industry’s prioritization of profit over the creation of meaningful artistic and social works were discussed extensively during the event. Additionally, LGBTI+s employed in the video game industry contributed to the dialogue by sharing their own experiences.
“Playing quality games is often class-dependent”
Another significant topic of discussion during the meetings centered around classism within the gaming community. Participants highlighted that owning gaming hardware and acquiring game titles has become increasingly luxurious, particularly amidst the economic challenges faced by the country. This economic disparity was noted to perpetuate significant injustices within e-sports, where players lacking access to high-quality hardware may be overlooked, regardless of their talent and skill level.
As part of the events, participants were organized into groups to design LGBTI+ friendly games, fostering creativity and inclusivity within the gaming community. These games were then shared among the participants, encouraging collaboration and celebration of diverse perspectives. Additionally, participants enjoyed dedicated gaming sessions where they played three different games (Mortal Kombat, FIFA, Blur) and engaged in friendly tournaments, promoting camaraderie and healthy competition within the group.
After the meetings, players provided some evaluations:
“The accessibility to playing quality games is often class-dependent. Even if we manage to obtain the game itself, our internet speed and the quality of our equipment further restrict our gaming experience.”
“In a play against a cis-hetero man, I consider myself as a representation of everyone and I play with ambition for all women, all queers.”
“When I enact masculinity, I feel that others pay attention to me. This holds true in legal matters, in everyday life, and even in theatrical performances.”
“Theatrical spaces often felt overwhelmingly heteronormative. Being able to exist as queer individuals in the theatre environment was incredibly empowering.”
“It was refreshing that the event took place in Mersin rather than one of the three major cities.”
Efforts will be made to engage with game companies
At the conclusion of the meetings, several decisions were reached to address discrimination and promote inclusivity in the gaming community. Efforts will be made to engage with game companies and vendors, with potential solutions discussed if successful or consideration of protest campaigns if communication fails. Initiatives are planned to bring game concepts devised during the events to fruition, supported by volunteer designers and developers, including a focus on creating an educational game about basic LGBTI+ concepts. The formalization of player meetings is proposed, potentially becoming regular gatherings. Additionally, steps will be taken to establish contact and solidarity with professional women and LGBTI+ e-sports players in the gaming industry, fostering collaboration and support within the community.
Translation: Selma Koçak
Tags: human rights
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