7 Transgender And Non-Binary Gamers To Support

By Tat Bellamy – Walker, originally published in TransLash Zine: Pride Month Edition

Trans, non-binary, intersex, and two-spirit people are working to disrupt anti-LGBTQIA rhetoric in gaming circles. TransLash is spotlighting some of these TGNC gamers and advocates who vow to make the gaming community safe and inclusive for people of underrepresented genders. 

Ricki Sophie Ortiz

Ricki Sophie Ortiz (She/Her) is a transgender woman and champion pro-fighting player for Evil Geniuses’ esports team. Ortiz is known within the gaming community for her expert combat skills in “Marvel vs. Capcom” and the “Street Fighter” series. Streamers can find her on Twitch at HelloKittyRicki. 

SonicFox

SonicFox (They/Them) is a Black, queer, and non-binary pro-fighting game player for Evil Geniuses. They have long identified as a furry, and in 2019, they came out as non-binary. SonicFox uses their platform to raise awareness of issues in the LGBTQ community. Last year, they won a “Mortal Kombat” tournament while wearing a blue fursuit head and wrapped in a trans flag. They can be found on Twitch at SonicFox. 

Veronica Ripley

Veronica Ripley (She/Her), also known by the username Nikatine, is a Latinx transgender woman and founder of Team Trans Gaming, a platform providing visibility to trans video gamers. She has recently shown her gaming expertise through playing “Red Dead Redemption 2” and “Resident Evil Village.” Ripley is constantly exploring new games on Twitch at Nikatine. 

Winnie

Winnie (She/They) is a non-binary, ace-identified, disabled, and Vietnamese gamer. Additionally, she is a member of Rainbow Arcade, a tight-knit LGBTQ gaming space. When they are not fundraising for queer and social justice issues, users can find them overthrowing vegetable governments in “Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion” on Twitch at Wxnnie.

MermaidRoyal

MermaidRoyal (They/She) is a queer Latinx content creator and video gamer. They are known for diving into everything from story-based games to “Dungeons and Dragons” and more. LGBTQ individuals seeking to join the Mermaid squad can catch them on Twitch at MermaidRoyal. 

Letsplaygames

Letsplaygaymes (She/They) is a disabled, agender, non-binary gamer and pro at playing “Kingdom Hearts.” What’s more, on Twitch, you can catch them doing yoga while pursuing farm life in the role-playing game “Stardew Valley.” 

Ctrlaltquin

Ctrlaltquin is a trans, non-binary video gamer and “Star Wars” geek that sprinkles comedy into their live streams. You can find them playing “Among Us” and other games on Twitch at Ctrlaltquin. 

TGNC Inclusive Gaming Communities & Advocacy Organizations

  • I Need Diverse Games is a Chicago-based non-profit spearheaded by journalist Tanya DePass. DePass is known virtually as cypheroftyr and provides a safe online space for gamers of color and individuals of marginalized identities. Gamers not only can promote their work but can discuss representation and diversity in the video gaming industry. The non-profit is known for bringing dozens of people to the Game Developers Conference, a major industry networking event. 
  • Qweerty Gamers is a non-profit seeking to make LGBTQ gamers more visible and welcomed across the world. For years, the platform has brought developers and LGBTQ gamers together for conversations on queer representation. Additionally, the group provides consultations, programs, and workshops to advance the careers of LGBTQ gamers. 
  • Rainbow Arcade is a queer gaming space on Twitch to help streamers and content creators talk about everything from fighting anti-LGBTQ bias in the video gaming industry to defeating the latest round in a new indie game. The group seeks to be a positive force within gaming circles and is committed to helping LGBTQ individuals have a seat at the table. 
  • /TransGamers: a trans & non-binary gamers Reddit group with over 30K members.

ABOUT TRANSLASH ZINE

TransLash Zine is an independent publication by TransLash Media that supports our mission of telling trans stories to save trans lives. We feature uncensored art, writing, and photography by trans/non-binary/intersex/two-spirit/gender non-conforming people, and we pay contributors. Our first two issues were developed and produced by POC Zine Project, and POC Zine Project continues to support our content and partnerships strategy. Our third issue, a Pride Month Edition partnership with Transgender Law Center, dropped June 6, 2021. Print editions of 1-3 coming soon. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive alerts. Want your writing and art featured in the next issue of our zine? Submit here.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks to Xoai Pham and Meredith Hutchison. Digital strategy and partnerships for TransLash Zine by DCAP MEDIA’s Daniela Capistrano, founder of POC Zine Project.

TransLash Media, publisher of TransLash Zine, is supported by the Ford FoundationHeising-Simons Foundation, anonymous donors, and members of our community like you: translash.org/donate 

Tat Bellamy – Walker is the digital editor/reporter at Gay City News, the only LGBTQ newspaper in New York City. Last year, he was NHPR’s Barbara and Richard Couch Fellow. His work has appeared in Business Insider, on CNN, and The Daily Beast. He’s an alum of the Craig Newmark School of Journalism, where he specialized in health and science reporting.

Twitter: @Bell_Tati

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TransLash tells trans stories to save trans lives. As a trusted source for journalists, thought-leaders, movement activists, researchers, and those wanting to know about trans people, we produce narratives about and for the trans community—accurately and reliably. At a time when disinformation about trans people is being used to undermine democracy and human rights, TransLash Media serves as a beacon of hope through the voices that we share with the world.

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TransLash tells trans stories to save trans lives. As a trusted source for journalists, thought-leaders, movement activists, researchers, and those wanting to know about trans people, we produce narratives about and for the trans community—accurately and reliably. At a time when disinformation about trans people is being used to undermine democracy and human rights, TransLash Media serves as a beacon of hope through the voices that we share with the world.

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