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Even in today’s digital era, marginalized communities, often seen as others, seldom get the platform or even the opportunity to voice or show their own identities and the pride that they take in being themselves. This fact is especially true with the video games and esports industry in India.
Identifying oneself as anything but cisgender often leads to being shunned and bullied, and much of this apathy stems from the lack of awareness that is all-pervasive in the Indian education system.
In a special interaction with Abhishek Mallick of Sportskeeda Esports, Pranav Panpalia, Founder at OpraahFX, opens up about his views on the importance of LGBTIQA+ representation in video games and esports.
He feels that with modern streaming and social media platforms, online personalities can considerably spread LGBTIQA+ awareness and help the video games community be more open-minded and accepting.
Here is an excerpt of the conversation.
Q. “Diversity and inclusion in the gaming community” has been OpraahFx’s motto ever since it was founded in 2017. You have been quite vocal about the lack of awareness in the Indian education system and how they hardly ever deal with the subject of LGBTIQA+. Can you talk us through how this lack of understanding trickles down to the video games industry and creates a more toxic and hostile environment?
Pranav: The gaming industry has for years been primarily dominated by the male section of society. Multiple factors are propelling it, but that’s another topic for another time.
In terms of OpraahFX, we are firm believers in diversity and inclusivity. From mentoring both male and female gaming content creators to having our arms wide open for LGBTQIA+ gamers and gaming content creators, we are in the entire sphere of gaming, which is universal and for all.
I believe every industry should embrace individuals from marginalized communities. One’s choices and background do not define his/her talent. I am waiting for that day when the word “marginalized” becomes obsolete, and we can walk hand in hand with talented and responsible professionals (irrespective of gender, sexual and lifestyle orientation, and of course, religion).
With social media becoming a voice for many, that day is not too far away.
Q. Streamers and other online gaming personnel have a lot of sway on the young and impressionable minds of the nation. How do you feel that they should leverage their reach and platform to help spread awareness and help create a positive impact on the mentality of young gamers and expand their horizons and level of acceptance as a process?
Pranav: I speak for the gamers and gaming content creators who are under the wing of OpraahFx. These guys enjoy a large following, typically between the age group of four to 12.
Children and teenagers in India are incredible fans of our gaming influencers. I want to reiterate: what impacts you as a child remains with you for a lifetime.
In retrospect, when we were kids, we used to get easily influenced by actors/characters on TV. Today, digital media is replacing traditional media, and Gen Z consumes digital media mostly.
It thus becomes imperative for digital influencers and content creators to impart messages that highlight a progressive outlook. While most influencers create entertaining content, it must also be their prerogative to blend educational content.
Edutainment is the way forward for content creators. They can even team up with fellow influencers or their immediate peers to spread messages of love, empathy, and acceptance. For today’s influencers, collaboration and a collective voice is key to influencing young minds.
Q. Video games in general and RPGs hardly ever represent an LGBTIQA+ character as the prime focus of the narrative. Cyberpunk 2077 did try to break a few stigmas by allowing the player to customize their character’s gender and sexual orientation in whichever way they pleased. Talk us through the importance that narratives like these hold in sending a more positive message and outlook.
Pranav: I have always believed that true inclusivity lies in freedom. Allowing players to represent their characters as per their identity is the most crucial step towards acceptance.
Giving a 100% character customization opportunity will not only help the marginalized community feel empowered and motivated but also help create awareness and educate cis and hetero communities. We must learn to empathize and value LGBTQIA+ talents.
They are immensely capable of making outstanding contributions to the Indian gaming community, thus making the industry a healthy and positive place for gamers to thrive.
Q. Today’s digital era, with all the social media outlets and content creation platforms, offers a much more accessible podium for people to speak up and voice their own opinions. How significant do you feel are these outlets in helping gender inclusivity, especially in an industry primarily dominated by cis-males?
Pranav: Social media outlets have colossal potential in enabling gender inclusivity. While earlier there was an unspoken taboo on LGBTQ orientations, we had many individuals from this community who were “questioning” their identity.
Social media has not only provided a platform for LGBTQIA+ individuals to be vocal but also give an equal opportunity to those “questioning” to witness this massive progression, the vociferous voices and self-empowering individuals embracing themselves openly.
This is not only inspiring for the entire LGBTQIA+ community but also for cis-males and cis-females. These self-acceptance stories have motivated individuals from every gender to come out with their own personal and internal mayhem.
Today, social media has been instrumental in breaking innumerable stereotypes attached to all genders, including cis-males. It’s a win-win for all!
Q. When it comes to representing gender fluidity, how do you feel modern video games should develop and adapt to improve inclusivity?
Pranav: The majority of leading games today provide standard heteronormative gender options. The representation of non-binary and LGBTQ+ gender is almost negligible.
Adding to the issue, all these characters have conventional and heteronormative fixed outfits and accessories to create the desired look. But this is not being inclusive. Inclusivity comes with freedom of choice.
Simply put, game developers should focus on creating gender-neutral characters and provide players with the freedom to develop their identities. Each character should have the liberty to choose their physical representation, irrespective of their gender.
For instance, freedom for male characters to choose outfits and accessories associated with the female gender and visa-versa is the way to go.
Q. The Indian esports community can indeed be very toxic towards other genders who do not identify themselves as cis-male. What steps do you think are necessary for helping and spreading LGBTIQA+ awareness and acceptance in the industry?
Pranav: The Indian online gaming community enjoys a massive fanbase of young minds. Therefore, it has an unbelievable potential to create awareness and increase the acceptability of the LGBTQ+ community.
But today, online has become synonymous with bullying. Behind the screens, in the comfort of one’s abode, many have actively taken to bullying someone who has a different lifestyle orientation and an altogether different thought process.
Since digital-native audiences comprise 60% below 25 participants, it is unfortunately observed that youngsters are fostering this bullying culture. Being a 25-year-old gaming enthusiast myself, I strongly condemn this behavior.
Respecting individual choices and way of life is the first and most crucial step towards accepting marginalized communities. For the gaming community to honestly declare itself as universal, awareness and inclusivity must happen in society at a grassroots level.
With a broader aim to bring in positive cultural change, gaming companies need to unlearn their notions about heteronormative gender and have a landscape view on the industry, which still stimulates stereotypes, bias, and phobia against the LGBTQ+ community.
The creator and streaming community also must be careful of the homophobic slang they may use knowingly and unknowingly.
As gamers and as basic human beings, we must consciously work towards creating an inclusive and conducive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
Q. In what way do you feel influencers should be using their profile and platform to help spread awareness on LGBTIQA+.
Pranav: I believe that to spread awareness, influencers themselves have to be cognizant of the virtues and vices of society and understand the gravity of certain subjects that need immense support and empowerment today.
Being ignorant is not something anyone who calls themselves an influencer can afford. More than creating content, they must first take substantial time to read, research, and analyze conversations and opinions on the marginalized community. It is only then that they can voice, represent and spread awareness on LGBTIQA+ individuals.
Encapsulating a few immediate actions influencers and content creators can take:
● Mention their identity pronouns in the bio (to make people aware)
● Use gender-neutral language in their content and conversations with their audience set
● Indulge in live-chats with influencers or people from a marginalized community, thereby allowing them to get their voices heard
● Normalize homosexual romance/friendship through their content
● Influencers often develop various characters, but can we recall LGBTQ+ characters created by any influencer so far? Isn’t this something we must take up actively? While this might hit a chord with some influencers reading this, it is essential to keep in mind not to end up further stereotyping LGBTQ+ characters while impersonating them
● Talk about gender-neutrality and gender-progression while actively breaking gender stereotypes and gender biases regularly, up until all genders are accepted and normalized in society
● Don’t worry about losing followers due to supporting LGBTQ+ influencers. Your vibe will attract your tribe
