How esports orgs are supporting the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride Month
by Brian Bencomo
June is Pride Month, which is all about celebrating and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Many esports organizations have changed their logos on social media to rainbow-colored icons in solidarity as well as voiced their support for the LGBTQIA+ community through tweets and posts. However, some organizations have gone beyond simple words and gestures and are taking action this month. These esports organizations are pledging money and/or taking part in more direct initiatives this month to support the LGBTQIA+ community.
Cloud9
Cloud9 has planned several initiatives throughout Pride Month. The esports organization announced that profits from its Pride collection would go to the following charities that support LGBTQIA+ causes: LA LGBT Center, Trans Lifeline and the Ali Forney Center.
The organization is once again opening up applications for the Cloud9 Training Grounds Pride Scholarship. Applications are now open through June 30, and three winners will receive enrollment to a Training Grounds camp as well as a HyperX peripheral set.
Finally, C9 is also hosting charity streams throughout the month to raise money for LGBTQIA+ charities. Cloud9 already has hosted charity streams to support Qweerty Gamers and Queer Esports this month.
At Cloud9, we believe that gaming is for EVERYONE. This Pride Month, weโve got some initiatives planned to make our community a safer and more inclusive place for our LGBTQIA+ fans than ever before.
โ Cloud9 (@Cloud9) June 1, 2022
Our vision for #C9Pride: https://t.co/GX8FlPptNT pic.twitter.com/aSf5dTkyof
FlyQuest
Like Cloud9, FlyQuest also has a Pride merch line that the org is rolling out this month, with 50% of the proceeds going to the Trevor Project, a national organization that seeks to raise awareness for suicide prevention among LGBTQIA+ youth. FlyQuestโs motto is โShowcase Greatness,โ and this initiative fits right in with what the org is all about. FlyQuest is going beyond just Pride Month, as it announced that the Pride merch line would be available for the rest of the year.
Everyone in the LGTBQIA+ community will always #ShowcaseGreatness whether out, in, or questioning.#Pride is something we support past June 30th.
โ FlyQuest (@FlyQuest) June 3, 2022
Our Pride line will remain up throughout the year and have 50% of the proceeds donated to @TrevorProject!https://t.co/PfemcGQhEP pic.twitter.com/fRNfCuxdFK
XSET
Earlier this month, XSET sponsored Boston Gaymerโs first-ever Pride Gaymer party. Boston Gaymers are a social group for LGBTQIA+ gamers in the Boston area. As part of the sponsorship, XSET gave away two Xbox Pride-themed controllers.
Celebrate @BostonGaymers first-ever Pride Gaymer party with us this Saturday! ๐ฅณ๐
โ XSET (@XSET) June 13, 2022
A night filled with gaming, dancing & prizes at @AlleyBarBoston, starting at 6PM/ET!
๐ https://t.co/TvN4r4tQBa pic.twitter.com/zfVXITlTOi
Earlier this week, XSET revealed a Pride merchandise collection, which will be available permanently, according to Dot Esports. Dot also reported that profits from the shirts will go toward charity, with this monthโs proceeds going to the Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts via Boston Gaymers.
Show your true colors with our new #Pride2022 Collection! ๐
โ XSET (@XSET) June 15, 2022
Available now, only on https://t.co/EWLfBLbeCK#RepTheSetโ pic.twitter.com/5AG4R2Ivwb
Spacestation Gaming
At the beginning of June, Spacestation Gaming announced a couple of things they would be doing in support of Pride Month. First, the Utah-based organization announced that it would be participating in the Utah Pride Parade. SSG Chief was indeed there too.
โค๏ธ๐งก๐LOVE WINS๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/kUzAo6MT9D
โ Spacestation Gaming (@Spacestation) June 6, 2022
Additionally, the org said that it planned to fundraise for Encircle throughout the month. Encircle is a Utah based organization that provides support and counseling for LGBTQIA+ youth.
TSM
TSM is organizing a fundraiser this month to raise money for the Trevor Project. The org has pledged to match all donations up to $10,000.
This year for #Pride2022 we wanted to go further.
โ TSM (@TSM) June 4, 2022
That's why we're starting a charity drive for @TrevorProject, the leading national support organization for the LGBTQIA+ community. We'll match all donations throughout June up to $10,000!
Join the cause: https://t.co/9XpcaeWwXG pic.twitter.com/XDCcWXjFIq
Washington Justice
In May, the Overwatch Leagueโs Washington Justice rolled out their own Pride merch line with all profits being donated to the Trevor Project and SMYAL. While the Trevor Project is a nationally recognized nonprofit, SMYAL is an organization based in Washington, D.C. that seeks to support LGBTQIA+ youth in the area.
๐ณ๏ธโ๐ ๐ณ๏ธโโง๏ธ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ ๐ณ๏ธโโง๏ธ ๐ณ๏ธโ๐
โ Washington Justice (@washjustice) May 26, 2022
We are thrilled to release our 2022 Pride Collection to celebrate Pride with our fans!
๐๐๐ profits from our Pride Collection will be donated to the @TrevorProject and @SMYALDMV. โค๏ธ#JusticeIsServed
Toronto Defiant
Earlier this month, the Overwatch League team hosted the Toronto Defiant Community Cup for Pride. Thirty teams competed, and the winning team, Yuki Speed SkyPAD, donated $1,000 to the Trevor Project.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Toronto Defiant Community Cup for Pride!
โ Toronto Defiant (@TorontoDefiant) June 13, 2022
And a HUGE thank you and congratulations to our winning team Yuki Speed SkyPAD ๐ for winning and donating $1000 to the @TrevorProject โค๏ธ๐งก๐๐๐๐#RiseTogether | #Pride pic.twitter.com/WXJ0nV2D89
Lead image credit: Cloud9 via Twitter