Xbox celebrates Pride with games, merchandise and by donating $150,000 to LGBT+ charities
It’s officially Pride Month, so what better time to celebrate everything LGBT+ in gaming? Xbox sure seems to think the same, revealing via a blog post, just what they’ll be doing to celebrate Pride this year.
Xbox has supported Pride in the past, and this year is no exception. This month they are committed to highlighting not just queer games, TV, and film, but the tight-knit communities surrounding the mediums that we know and love.
“Gaming is a big part of the lives of many LGBTQIA+ players and it’s important that we celebrate everyone who plays. At Xbox, we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all members of LGBTQIA+ communities to experience the joy of gaming and we are championing content that represents all of today’s players.” Xbox stated in their blog post. “We will continue to do our part to ensure that everyone can play as their authentic selves and feel empowered and represented throughout the industry.”
To kick off Pride with a bang, Xbox has said that they will be donating $150,000 to LGBTQIA+ nonprofits, such as The Trevor Project, OutRight Action International, Transgender Law Center, BEAM, Mermaids, ACLU Foundation, and Act to Change. Microsoft and Xbox have already committed 2 million dollars to LGBTQIA+ organizations in the previous year.
There will also be ways for players in the United States to earn points for donations to organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community. With each point earned through Microsoft Rewards, either through purchasing/playing a game etc, you’ll be helping out these great communities.
Xbox has also stated that they’ll be doing their utmost to promote and raise LGBTQIA+ voices in their community. To do so, they’ve asked queer Xbox Ambassadors how games with diverse representation have impacted them, and if they’d share their stories about being a member of the gaming community. It’s incredibly touching stuff, and if you haven’t read any of those stories just yet, then go ahead and give them a look.
Merchandise and gear to celebrate Pride Month have also been revealed. The Xbox Gear Shop has a brand new Pride collection that depict designs from Xbox, Halo, Age of Empire and more, ranging from tote bags to limited edition t-shirts and stickers.
Key influencers and media are also in for a treat, as Xbox have also designed their very own Pride 2021 Xbox Wireless Controller. As they’ve stated in their blog post, the design combines “the flags of various LGBTQIA+ communities in an interwoven energetic way, creating a sense of unity, and evoking both technology and the modern age.” We’re very jealous of whoever gets their hands on one of those!
And all of this is just a slither of what Xbox is doing. Check out the full list of their Pride event over on Microsoft’s official website. You might even see a familiar name on there… Something, something DIGIPRIDE?
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