How Queer Creators are Hurt by Itch.io’s Loathsome Adult Game Ban
It’s a scary time to be LGBTQ+. With queer hatred on the rise, one place where queer gamers can band together is through playing games by queer creators. However, with Itch.io’s emerging ban on adult games, it could become more difficult for queer gamers to find games that include queer characters.
The Ban is Hurting Queer Creators and Queer Games
According to The Gamer, the recent adult game bans on Itch.io and Steam seem to be specifically targeting games with LGBTQ+ content, including those that are safe for work. The bans have restricted access to games that contain content that payment processors find objectionable, which seems to include LGBTQ+ material, regardless of whether or not it’s explicit. Trans News Network reported how several developers of queer games have had their projects abruptly removed from Itch, which is hurting their livelihood. One such developer is Taylor McCue, a trans woman who shared her concern about the ban:
“I am an older millennial queer and I remember the feelings of loneliness and the void of just not having anything like me in what I played. I got to see itch become a renaissance of queer works and community. I viewed it as an art movement and a potential future that I was a part of. Since my game has been de-indexed I don’t know what to think. The pessimistic part of me knew this day would come but I didn’t think it would come so soon. When it did come I thought itch would at least email me or something.”
Why LGBTQ+ Representation Matters
While some mainstream games like Dead by Daylight include queer characters, the large majority of LGBTQ+ content in games comes from indie games, many of which are from queer creators. The indie market has long been seen as a place for freedom of expression, but now the bans are moving towards taking that away. While some people might dismiss queer representation as “woke,” many queer people feel alone. Games with queer content help LGBTQ+ people to realize that no, they aren’t alone. In addition, they help to normalize LGBTQ+ people and show that they are human.
Let’s Take Action!
If you want to support queer creators, take action against the ban. Send emails to the administrators of Itch.io and Steam. Share the stories of developers who are affected by the ban. Support quality games with LGBTQ+ characters. Show the world that the queer community will not go back to being invisible. We are here to stay.
