Meet Our Level Up! Champions
LEVEL UP! Champions supported recruitment for the LEVEL UP! study by sharing it with their viewers and subscribers. The Champions are recognized here for their help and the supportive role they play in LGBTQ+ video gaming communities and culture.
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Games/Genres: Assassin's Creed Origins, Destiny 2, Animal Crossing. Action RPGs, Simulations, Deckbuilders, Indie Games
“There's nothing like that sound when you hit that next goal, complete that stage or snag that achievement in a game. We've done it all the time as players and now it's time for video games to "level up" and start including a more diverse set of voices and experiences both on screen and behind the scenes. When you see yourself represented in the hobby and culture you love, it says, "you belong." Gaming is for everyone, and it's well past time that we make that statement mean something”
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Games/Genres: Indie/Arty games mostly
Being a closeted trans lesbian for much of my life has been a daunting experience. Having difficulty with even being able to articulate these thoughts and feelings, video games have served to be a great escape for me during these hard times and during my transition. They have also given me the chance to explore my gender by being able to select female characters and explore different pronouns. Video games eventually led me to Twitch, befriending many lovely communities. This has inspired me to create a community of my very own, then becoming an affiliate for It Gets Better Project.
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Games/Genres: Legend of Zelda, Kirby, Animal Crossing, Danganronpa, I'm On Observation Duty.“I've always struggled to be represented as a non-binary black person who loves video games. I've never really seen myself on screen and now that gaming is becoming more open and well represented. I'm glad since becoming a streamer, I have met more people like me and am lucky to be a small part of this community. The Gaming community as a whole can be brutal and I've had my share of hate raids but I love video games and regardless of being made fun of or misgendered will continue to be a voice for the more and more people I meet that feel the same way.”
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Games/Genres: DBD, Hunt Showdown, Horror, RPG, Indie, Variety
As a queer person in finding my identity I used character creators in gaming as a way to final see who I truly was on the inside. I could escape the hardships of the heteronormative world in these fantasy worlds where not only was the world better but we could take on all the things that opposed us and win.
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Learn more about QueenyCityQ and what they are up to on their website !
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Games/Genres: Genshin Impact, Sonic, Animal Crossing, osu!, co-op games
Video games have been a huge part of my entire life, including as a social tool to connect with others. As a queer person, it's so wonderful to be able to find other LGBTQ+ folks through games, especially when the traditional gaming space has been dominantly white and male. More importantly, seeing and getting to be the characters in the games we play -- including queer characters -- can provide a better perspective to both ourselves and to others that don't identify as LGBTQ+. We exist here, we matter, and we deserve to see ourselves in gaming too!
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