我刚开始玩电子游戏时，完全是为了逃避：逃避学校和社会的压力，消失在另一个世界里，在那里我可以扮演自己以外的角色。
随着我的成长，我对自己和同性恋者的身份更加自信，游戏不再是逃避，而是联系。它是我与世界各地的朋友保持联系的方式，甚至只是在路上。我并不孤单。鉴于男女同性恋、双性恋和变性者在日常生活中面临的挑战，游戏为我们提供了一个做自己的地方，并建立了一个让我们在安全空间表达自我的社区。
Within those spaces, our digital avatars are how we represent ourselves, and over the past few years simulation and role-playing games in particular have been expanding their range of LGBTQ+ characters. And that inclusion is generating increased engagement—According to a recent Nielsen Games survey, LGBTQ+ gamers are 29% more likely to play role-playing games and 54% more likely to play simulation games than the general population.
While Nielsen’s most recent international LGBTQ+ report found that perceptions of LGBTQ+ inclusion in media are improving, that inclusion is skewed mostly towards gay and lesbian people. The gaming world is bucking that trend, with popular new titles like Overwatch 2 and Spirit Swap exploring other queer identities.
但游戏平台并不是 LGBTQ+ 玩家建立联系的唯一途径。超过 40% 的 LGBTQ+ 玩家会观看视频游戏预告片，80% 的玩家会在 YouTube 上观看预告片，这为游戏发行商提供了机会，他们可以在直播中做广告或加入对话，从而与社区建立更深层次的联系。
This progress in LGBTQ+ representation in games is the work of many people and allies in the gaming community, but also groups like GLAAD which have been pushing for positive change across all media platforms. Social media is one of the most inclusive platforms for LGBTQ+ people and LGBTQ+ gamers are tuning in to social channels like Twitter, Discord and TikTok more than the general population.
I recently encountered Qweerty Gamers on Twitter, a non-profit focused on leveling-up LGBTQ+ representation in the gaming community. With the mental health crisis impacting so many young people, especially in the queer community, the group has been using their influence to raise awareness and support youth who are struggling. It’s a powerful way for LGBTQ+ gamers to help people in crisis, providing a safe space for connection and support.
电子游戏中的虚拟世界为 LGBTQ+ 用户提供了表达身份的机会，头像和游戏附件帮助我们的数字自我反映出我们在现实生活中的独特性。LGBTQ+ 玩家每月在定制电子游戏配件上的花费比普通人高出 65%，约为 28 美元，这是另一种通过共享令牌表达身份的方式，这些令牌将您与社区中的其他人联系在一起。对于 LGBTQ+ 游戏玩家来说，游戏不仅关乎输赢，还关乎你是否能成为自己。
