Poll of the Day > what draws so many trans people to gaming?

(+) Yeah! (+)

was genuinely curious. there seems to be a lot of the trans community in coverage, journalism, and general discussion, more so than any other hobby i can see from the surface level of my point of view, ok?

so why are these people so attracted to gaming?

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Accessibility.

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Could be because video games allow you to become someone different or create a character of who you are. If I felt I was trapped in a body I didnt identify with, that freedom or escape can definitely be appealing. Plus who doesnt want to be a big boobied adventurer who saves the world.

Well, in a lot of games I play, I identify as a male, bipedal lizard.

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Gaming requires sitting down for long hours. That raises fat. Fat raises estrogen, lowers testosterone. Dudes are feeling more fem, more sensitivity in the nipples, etc. Then they go full trans. Ive seen it many times before.

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The same things that draw mostly anyone else into gaming I'd guess.

It's generally safe to stay inside and play games

*edit*
I would say the roleplaying aspect played a part for me too, that and the same things that draw anyone else.

Also, while an egg and trying to fit in with the boys, all the guys played Halo and what not growing up.

IronBornCorps posted...

while an egg

what does that mean?

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games are fun idk bro

Aculo posted...

what does that mean?

someone who doesn't know/isn't sure/recently learned theyre trans

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tough on the outside to protect it, crack the shell there is a chick inside.

Often used to describe young trans people before they realize they are trans.

GameLord113 posted...

Could be because video games allow you to become someone different or create a character of who you are. If I felt I was trapped in a body I didnt identify with, that freedom or escape can definitely be appealing. Plus who doesnt want to be a big boobied adventurer who saves the world.

This is the first thing that comes to mind for me, though it's very much just baseless speculation that sounds plausible. In a similarly baseless vein, I could believe that there's also enough of a history of gamers being social outcasts that similarly-ostracized trans people felt at home among them, or that people who were already social outcasts for being nerds felt like they had less social status to lose by coming out as trans, or that gamers are less inclined to ostracize people because they've experienced it themselves (this last one is probably the least plausible. Gamers are dicks).

Of course, for that matter, I don't even know that trans people really are overrepresented in gaming or if TC's just displaying confirmation bias because he's totally fine with trans people. This idle speculation may be efforts to explain a trend that doesn't actually exist. Who knows?

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IronBornCorps posted...

tough on the outside to protect it, crack the shell there is a chick inside

that is a hilariously clever title!

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adjl posted...

Of course, for that matter, I don't even know that trans people really are overrepresented in gaming or if TC's just displaying confirmation bias because he's totally fine with trans people. This idle speculation may be efforts to explain a trend that doesn't actually exist. Who knows?

even with trans women i know from outside of a gaming context it seems like a ton of them play video games a lot. lots of MMO players in particular it seems like. idk i can't say for sure its not a bias from what kind of circles i hang out in, but ive never played an MMO and have to hear about them constantly lol

i dont really know enough trans men to say if its similar there

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adjl posted...

Of course, for that matter, I don't even know that trans people really are overrepresented in gaming or if TC's just displaying confirmation bias because he's totally fine with trans people. This idle speculation may be efforts to explain a trend that doesn't actually exist. Who knows?

it's what i observe, but i'll completely admit that i don't know if it's entirely true or not. purely from my point of view. but thanks for the insult, either way, dick, ok?

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Most of the white trans women I have met are either gamers or have been a gamer at some point.

Other races play games too of course, and other genders. A lot of trans men play games too, the ones I play with play more shooters than RPGS.

Nobody wants to talk accessibility, but I think it's pretty primary. Think of the lack of accessibility for trans people in regards to sports and other common hobbies.

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IronBornCorps posted...

Also, while an egg

Grok in fullness? In waiting is?

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Seems pretty odd considering the amount of stuff you hear about online communities for games nowadays, but back when most of them were kids (assuming they are 20-40) gaming was a pretty inclusive. I didn't matter who you were, as long as you liked the same games you got along fine. Most of my friends in school came from tons of different backgrounds but as long as we could sit down and play some Quake together we got along just fine. Can't really say that for most other activities.

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^Totally :)

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Video games attract many walks of life because it's entertainment, ok?

IronBornCorps posted...

Often used to describe young trans people before they realize they are trans.

Can't say I've ever heard anyone call themselves a egg. I live and learn.

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It may also be because a lot of videogames cater to neurodivergent types, and most trans people are neurodivergent.

ReturnOfFa posted...

Nobody wants to talk accessibility, but I think it's pretty primary. Think of the lack of accessibility for trans people in regards to sports and other common hobbies.

I totally agree with this.

Its a great form of escapism, it's relatively cheap, and you don't have to go out in public or talk to other people. I think it's appealing to a lot of outsider types

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IronBornCorps posted...

I totally agree with this.

Really? Being trans prevents you from buying a basketball and dribbling it down to the local basketball court?

No it doesn't. Your own hangups are the thing standing in the way.

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TheNobleWoodApe posted...

Really? Being trans prevents you from buying a basketball and dribbling it down to the local basketball court?

No it doesn't. Your own hangups are the thing standing in the way.

bruh if you listen to any trans person they will tell you that they've experienced far more ridicule and bullying in sports. of course there are people that have pushed through this, as you recommend, which is admirable. it's still a barrier when certain people are encouraged and others are ridiculed.

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ReturnOfFa posted...

bruh if you listen to any trans person they will tell you that they've experienced far more ridicule and bullying in sports. of course there are people that have pushed through this, as you recommend, which is admirable. it's still a barrier when certain people are encouraged and others are ridiculed.

Again, still their own hangups standing in the way for whatever reason.

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I wrestled for a bit in HS, but it didn't last long because the changing rooms and workout rooms were toxic. Once they had even the idea that I might be gay, I got my ass kicked. That must be one of those personal hang ups though.

HornedLion posted...

Gaming requires sitting down for long hours. That raises fat. Fat raises estrogen, lowers testosterone. Dudes are feeling more fem, more sensitivity in the nipples, etc. Then they go full trans. Ive seen it many times before.

No you haven't.

IronBornCorps posted...

tough on the outside to protect it, crack the shell there is a chick inside.

Often used to describe young trans people before they realize they are trans.

Only if fertilized by a rooster and if it's even that old yet.
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accesibility makes a lot of sense, and hearing ironborncorp's personal experience also fits. thank you those who actually answered without the dumb shit, ok?

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I do climbing and have found people to mostly be pretty accepting. And it's nice for me that climbing clothing is pretty loose and gender neutral

I've never really been into team sports

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TheNobleWoodApe posted...

Really? Being trans prevents you from buying a basketball and dribbling it down to the local basketball court?

No it doesn't. Your own hangups are the thing standing in the way.

In an ideal world, sure. In the real world, decidedly less so, at least presuming that you want to find people willing to play with you there.

Of course that's even without talking about you dismissing the insecurity inherent in feelings of dysphoria as merely being "your own hangups." It's quite a bit more than that, and definitely qualifies as an accessibility issue.

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At the risk of sounding offensive, it's probably because there's a link between autism and gender dysphoria, so there's a not insignificant crossover.

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I think the autism link isn't quite clear cut. People with autism are more prone to not follow cultural norms anyway, and wouldn't necessarily feel the need to hide gender issues they were experiencing.

There is a lot we still don't understand about autism. It really just seems like a different OS for the brain with varying levels of functionality.

While great points have been brought up. I would just like to throw out that not every trans persons life is trauma porn, and games are just fun. I'm sure there are a few trans people who just play games because they are fun.

GunslingerGunsl posted...

The same things that draw mostly anyone else into gaming I'd guess.

This...
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LinkPizza posted...

This...

what the hell do you know, pepperoni boi

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Smarkil posted...

At the risk of sounding offensive, it's probably because there's a link between autism and gender dysphoria, so there's a not insignificant crossover.

yeah, there's definitely something going on there. but like Iron said, it's possible that autistic people are just more likely to recognize or act on gender dysphoria.

having said that... my personal experience makes it feel like my autism and feelings of gender dysphoria are linked. the sensory processing issues that cause me to flip out about sounds or textures aren't quite the same as the disgust i used to feel/sometimes still feel from seeing myself in the mirror or feeling hair on my body, but they have a lot in common.

they can both be so distracting and overwhelming that i just can't do anything besides be miserable. both of them are stuff that ive been shamed for if i try to do anything to alleviate them (e.g., stimming or suddenly running away in the middle of a conversation for autism, painting my nails or wearing girlier clothing for the early stages of my dysphoria).

i covered up the mirror in my house for like 2 years once because seeing myself would just ruin my day -- this feels like the same kind of thing as how I always have white noise machines blasting in my house. If something feels off or wrong to me I cant just ignore it, it drives me crazy

IronBornCorps posted...

While great points have been brought up. I would just like to throw out that not every trans persons life is trauma porn, and games are just fun. I'm sure there are a few trans people who just play games because they are fun.

yeah. sometimes girls just wanna have fun

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Maybe because gaming wasn't always the social acceptable hobby it is now, and all the degens, weirdos, outcasts and outspoken gravitated towards this hobby much like they do internet forums, and a culture thrived in the only place it could.

And that children, is why 90% of moderators are trans people on a power trip.

The end.

(Especially on Reddit)

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IronBornCorps posted...

I wrestled for a bit in HS, but it didn't last long because the changing rooms and workout rooms were toxic. Once they had even the idea that I might be gay, I got my ass kicked. That must be one of those personal hang ups though.

Amazing how straight cis kids also deal with bullying in the locker room and adapt and overcome and continue wrestling without a snowflake excuse for bowing out.

I played baseball and hockey growing up. I dealt with locker room shenanigans too. I was a weird kid, but "weird" never gave me a special protected status to hide behind when things didn't go my way.



Being bullied didn't make you special, even if the reason is "special".

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What protected status?

also aren't straight white cis kids shooting up schools for being bullied?

*edit*
lots of them are gamers too, just saying.

Aculo posted...

what the hell do you know, pepperoni boi

More than you, apparently. Since you're the one asking questions and I'm the one answering...
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IronBornCorps posted...

also aren't straight white cis kids shooting up schools for being bullied?

Pretty irrelevant to everything I said, but by all means deflect from an uncomfortable truth.

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what's so uncomfortable truth about quitting a sport when I was kid because I didn't fit in and was beat up?

Apparently your experience draws comparison with mind despite our different age, gender, sport, location, and other variables. Obviously you toughed it out and that makes you stronger. Is that the uncomfortable truth you think I fear?

IronBornCorps posted...

what's so uncomfortable truth about quitting a sport when I was kid because I didn't fit in and was beat up?

Apparently your experience draws comparison with mind despite our different age, gender, sport, location, and other variables. Obviously you toughed it out and that makes you stronger. Is that the uncomfortable truth you think I fear?

No, blaming the bullying on being trans rather than blaming it on kids being dicks in general gives you an out, and gives you a way to performatively claim a special victimhood status.

That's the uncomfortable truth.

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Ah, expert child psychologist Woody with the "children are just dicks" defense! Maybe pick up an actual child development book sometime, particularly with a focus on bullying. All sorts of kids can get bullied for a myriad of reasons, sure, but not all bullying is equal and you're being willfully blind to all the data and stats that show which demographics are more likely to be bullied and to what extreme.

I never claimed it because I was trans. I said it was because of a rumor around the school I was gay. It happened twice, and the coach pulled me aside and said either deal with it or leave the team, because "not much I can do". Pretty sure that did in fact have something to do with me leaving the team.

ok, sure I have a special vicimhood status, what are the benefits to that?

LinkPizza posted...

More than you, apparently. Since you're the one asking questions and I'm the one answering...

You know nothing about everything, ok?

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IronBornCorps posted...

ok, sure I have a special vicimhood status, what are the benefits to that?

Frankly, It allows you to console yourself for bitching out instead of growing a spine and standing up for yourself back then. It gave you an out which you took and can always point back to that as a reason. Like minded people will sympathize with you taking the easy out. Poor me.

Rather than doubling down, embracing the suck, using that energy to git gud and being the best gay wrestler on the team.

I'm with your coach on this one tbh.

I got pushed around at first as a poor kid that got into hockey paying for his own gear in a rich town. I got mad. I used that energy to get stronger and play harder. I ended up being the enforcer on a state championship team. I used to knock Topher Grace on his ass for funnies in the travel league.

I don't have a lot of sympathy in this particular case. You took that easy out, and that's fine. But wearing it like some kind of badge isn't.

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ok, sure

It's interesting I was separated from the military for "standing up for myself" but whatever.

You speak as if you know me, like I didn't grow up poor too.

congrats on toughing it out and being more of a man than me >_>b

You asked, I gave you an answer. Don't get salty on me because you didn't like the answer. You've known me for a long time, I don't know what you were expecting.

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