Stream Queens Con Celebrates LGBTQ+ Gaming, Drag & More on Twitch

PRIDE: Why was putting this event together so important to you?

DEERE: Stream Queens Con was conceived last year due to lack of queer spaces both physically and online during the 2020 quarantine. So many of us have relied on clubs and bars to feel the sense of community we need to feel safe. And on a larger scale, so many of us lost avenues for socializing like TwitchCon as well as other conventions.  Many social gatherings were completely canceled. And so Stream Queens Con (2020) was born; a space we could facilitate to be safe and cater to queer people and a place wherein we could have fun conversations about our passions. As a team, we sought to create visibility for underrepresented groups and start important discussions.

We at Stream Queens believe we can change the face of Twitch, gaming, and the world by being authentically ourselves. Through representation and championing diversity we can display unapologetically that queerness exists everywhere, not just in dedicated spaces catering to us. Video games, Twitch's bread and butter for example, are for everyone. We are everywhere in the world and it is beautiful. By harnessing the art of drag and with the spectacle of it all, we have created an environment in which we can flourish; that is beautiful and flashy but also cultivate a platform to speak about topics important to us as individuals and as a community alike. Whether it be video games, music, identity, or awareness; drag starts a conversation and we can keep it going!

How has Twitch helped you find a sense of community in the past?

Twitch has created a platform that we could make our own. The LGBTQIA+ community has not always been welcomed into gamer culture and esports, but simply by existing and injecting ourselves into these spaces, and for us as Stream Queens being an example of diversity on the platform, we have crafted a place where our community can be comfortable. I am grateful to Twitch for making teams possible, as well as pushing out more identity and diversity-focused projects.

Why is it important for LGBTQ+ to have educational and celebratory spaces like this one?

It is necessary to have educational spaces for LGBTQIA+ communities and other marginalized communities because it allows us to be seen and to be represented. When the viewers at home and around the globe can see people like them on the screen and support their values, it has the power to inspire people to be authentic and love themselves. When you don't get to see someone like you, it can be devastating. Representation, visibility, and normalized diversity can save lives and can motivate the younger generations to pursue happiness.

Favorite moments or memories from last year's event?

Every single piece of programming was crafted with love and infused with so much passion there's no way to choose a favorite. I think the best thing was that so many of our team are all over the world, with different lives and different priorities, and it was so cool to see so many members come together. Whether it was to be on a panel together, or just hanging out on a Discord call as a group while we watched, it was truly something I am so proud of. I was blown away by all the amazing content we as a team put out into the world! If anyone is interested, all the discussion & gaming programs from Stream Queens Con (2020) are archived on the Stream Queens Twitch channel!

What are you most looking forward to at this year's event?

I am so excited to see more of our team members that weren't able to make it to the con last year, as well as so many of the members we have brought onto the team since. With over 90 members now, we have so much amazing show-stopping drag and I can't wait for everyone to meet them if they haven't yet!

What do you hope audiences will take from the event?

I hope that audiences see this event happening and think, "wow drag is so cool and gorgeous but there's also real people behind the glamour with hopes and dreams". I hope audiences fall in love with a new content creator they haven't met yet, and follow their journey or maybe see a new side of someone they are already supporting. Most importantly I hope we can leave behind the message that Twitch and streaming and video games and drag are for everyone regardless of who you are and these things are at their very best when we are all loving and supportive of one another. I hope everyone has a fantastic time!

Make sure to catch Stream Queens Con between December 1 and 4, streaming exclusively on Twitch. Follow members here.