Gayming Awards 2021: Best LGBTQ Character
Ever wanted to celebrate amazing LGBTQ representation in video games? Now you can, because The Gayming Awards is set to broadcast worldwide on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/gaymingmag/ on February 24th 2021, at 8pm GMT (3pm ET, 12pm PT). With the award show, we’ll show off so many amazing categories, including Gayming Awards 2021: Best LGBTQ Character, sponsored by Rocksteady.
For Gayming Awards 2021: Best LGBTQ Character, we look at characters that aren’t just some caricature that’s been spoonfed to us in order to make us care about even the tiniest of scraps. We look at characters that are detailed, messy, and represent us in a way that isn’t artificial.
Check out the LGBTQ characters that we’ll be seeing during the Gayming Awards 2021, and what our judges had to say about them!
Andrea Rhodea – Final Fantasy 7 Remake
“Andrea isn’t represented as sleazy or odd as you might get in other representations of LGBTQ characters. He’s eccentric, appreciated and in power.”
“Final Fantasy 7 could have poked fun at Andrea for dressing differently, for not fitting the gender ‘norm’ – but instead characters embrace and respect Andrea for who they are. That’s what makes them such an exciting addition to the Remake.”
“FF7R doesn’t get its queer representation totally right, but I do very much appreciate that Square Enix recognised some flaws in the original and essentially created a new character in Andrea as a celebration of the community.”
Ellie – The Last of Us Part II
“TLOU2 is not a perfect game – in fact it’s quite horrible in places. And its LGBTQ+ representation is also not perfect – see trans character Lev. But in Ellie we have one of the biggest developers in the world choosing a lesbian character to lead its most sought after sequel, a major milestone in the history of LGBTQ+ representation in games. Like the rest of the game, she is flawed. She is not always likable. But she is real. Her queerness is not central to the story – this isn’t a coming-out narrative or similar. It’s more understated and believable. She just…is.“
“When we say we need ‘messy’ LGBT+ characters, characters that aren’t written as just ‘pure’ and ‘naive’ and ‘good’, Ellie is one of those characters. She’s written in the most humane way, as someone who loves and hates, and isn’t just one concept.”
“Ellie not only an LGBT lead character in one of the world’s most successful and well-respected series, but she is also a character that is not ashamed to be herself proudly whilst also being incredibly strong and capable. She is also a survivor who never backs down.”
Sir Hammerlock & Wainwright Jakobs – Borderlands 3: Guns, Love & Tentacles
“The writers nailed Sir Hammerlock & Wainwright Jakobs – the doubts and fears they weren’t good enough for each other as they each get wedding night jitters (while fighting Lovecraftian space monsters, of course) is beautiful and surprisingly emotional, and it’s ultimately their love for each other that saves the day.”
“Perhaps the biggest gay couple in AAA games, deeply committed to each other, and without either falling into stereotype territory.”
“What other game has a DLC that celebrates a BIG GAY WEDDING? None that I can think of! Even if Borderlands isn’t your cup of tea, it celebrates a beautiful, queer couple that has been dedicated to one another since the very start of the series.”
Tyler Ronan – Tell Me Why
“Tyler is a fully realized trans character who has flaws and strengths at the same time. It deals with Tyler being trans but also that isn’t the only part to his character and it is not the whole point of the game. It also isn’t a story of trauma that’s meant for cis people, and that’s why Tyler’s role, and his character, is so worthy of being recognized.”
“The significance of a leading trans character should not go unnoticed. The game received some mixed views, but having a trans character front and center of the game is a watershed moment in queer representation.”
“Tyler isn’t just a typical video game trans character. He is a character that just happens to be trans, and DontNod have been incredibly respectful in handling his portrayal – even getting a trans voice actor to play him. I think he is a great start for having more trans roles and characters in video games.”
Supporters
The Gayming Awards are proudly supported by…
Jagex – Publisher of RuneScape and the Home of Living Games
Creative Assembly – a craft-led studio with over 33 years’ experience
Sold Out Games – a world-leading video game publisher with 15 years of experience
Ukie – the UK’s games and interactive entertainment industry trade body
Out Making Games – the UK games industry’s LGBTQ representation group
Games London – the agency promoting London as a hub of games making
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