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In recent times, the issue of gender equality has come up in gaming, and that’s something that truly hits home. We’ve seen in the media transgendered youth being discriminated against for their belief’s personal views, and their stance on marriage. Not to be confused with transvestite, a derogatory term used to describe what is now commonly known as a crossdresser, transgendered people are in a class all their own–and it’s gaining prominence.

Caitlyn Jenner (formerly known as Bruce Jenner).

Jazz, Laverne Cox, Caitlyn Jenner, and the families on the ABC show Becoming Us, we can see how diverse America and the rest of the world is already becoming. What’s more, even games include transgender people and LGBT.

– Far Cry 4
– The Last of Us
– Catherine

Naughty Dog´s “The Last of Us” is a very LGBT friendly game. Thus the relationship between Ellie and Riley .

These are all great examples of games that celebrate diversity. We often lose sight of how discrimination and gaming go hand in hand, so we sat down with a Transgendered gamer to get insight on how they view things including #GamerGate, and their views on diversity in the industry.

Kenay TGG:
As a Transgendered youth how important is it for you to be supportive to other trans youths? Do you find similar experiences with others?

TW:
Not very. We should be just as supportive of trans youths as we are of hetero, homo etc. youth. I don’t find similar experiences with others but I try not to associate myself too closely with other trans people in real life. I don’t want to be looked at as “another tranny” so IRL, I’m very reserved about it and keep to myself.

Kenay TGG:
How do you feel about gamergate and feminists stance on inclusion of women in gaming? Do you think it’s a boys club?

TW:
I think Gamergate is much more open to transgenders than the feminists are but that’s more because GG will accept any values and morals. Whereas the feminists will only accept you if your ideals and morals match their own exactly and if they don’t, you’ll be shunned.

Kenay TGG:
Do you think people like Brianna Wu and Zoe Quinn are a part of it for ideals? Or money?

Brianna Wu, the maker of “Revolution 60”. And the founder of Giant Spacekat.

TW:
I think Zoe Quinn and Brianna Wu are that crazy that they’re blind to the money and are actually in it for the ideals.

Kenay TGG:
What stops them from turning the money into the positive and giving back to the people who support them financially on Patreon? Instead of depending on the money to support themselves financially instead of their passion projects?

TW:
If you’re good at something, don’t do it for free. They’re good at making a scene, I don’t blame them for capitalizing on it. I look at Patreon in the same way I look at disabling your adblock. It’s an optional method of support that doesn’t affect anyone else.

Kenay TGG:
What would you like to see as far as gender representation In games?

Gamer Gurl Vs Girl that plays video games.

TW:
For it to stay exactly how it is. I don’t want to play as a transgender person of color who is autistic because it’s not believable. And as well as not being believable, it isn’t relatable. Relatable is a key factor for me in the story of a video game.

Kenay TGG:
How do you relate to certain game characters can you provide an example?

TW:
Ellie from TLoU. She’s scared but she tries, she is dependent on others for safety. She can’t instantly pick up guns and get headshots. She’s just a normal person. The DLC where she falls in love with the other girl, that is so real and so close to heart. It’s just amazing. That is how LGBT representation should be done. It doesn’t need to be shoved under our noses, it can be done without being a spectacle

Ellen Page did a great job as Jodie Holmes in “Beyond Two Souls”.

Kenay TGG:
Did you know Ellen page was supposed to be the character originally? And that Naughty Dog said they intended to make a low-key relation

TW:
I did, I absolutely love Ellen Page though. She was amazing in Beyond: Two Souls, another game I found relatable.

Kenay TGG
So would you say Ellie from The Last of us Vs. Dragon Age Inquisition. With dorian was more hyped because they wanted to use LGBT to sell the game?

TW:
I think both sets of developers wanted to allow freedom of choice rather than push LGBT at us.

Kenay TGG:
Do you think anti-gg is trying to force feminism down people’s throats by saying games are gender biased and it’s time to choose a side?

TW:
I think anti-gg will latch on to anything that furthers their message of “video games bad, feminism good.” GG and aGG are alike. They’re both pushing narratives which are both incorrect to each other. Depending who you align with, you only hear that story.

Ellen McGrody (super Ellen 3d world) went absolutely nuts shortly after the release of her (and Brianna Wu´s) Samus Aran article.

Kenay TGG:
I agree it’s funny that they claim harassment and instead of blocking the person the report them but don’t file police reports doesnt that sound suspicious?

TW:
Internet harassment doesn’t exist, at all. People who feel they are harassed online are pathetic. The “bullying” stops as soon as you log off. On the internet, you’re in total control and that is why I believe cyberbullying isn’t real.

Kenay TGG:
Do you believe in female friendly video games?

TW:
All games are female friendly. Implying anything else implies that women are weak and subservient to men.

Kenay TGG:
Thank you so much for sitting with us today I appreciate you input on all the topics our readers will enjoy your opinions very much! Diversity and equality are very important in gaming, and geek culture. If you feel excluded for some reason, don’t give up without finding out why. There’s never an excuse for being left out of something you love or care about. No matter who you are.

Talk to your friends, families, and even coworkers to discover how to change what you feel is discrimination. And don’t be afraid to get involved or speak up, because you can’t make change happen without putting money on the counter first.

Source:
@senpaidesune

Kenay Peterson
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheDark_Mage