The Rainbow Arcade is a group of LGBTQIA+ streamers who have come together to support and uplift fellow members of the community, all while creating a positive and inclusive safe space on Twitch and other social media platforms. The group has been actively working to provide mental health support and raise awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Game ZXC recently conducted an interview with several members of Rainbow Arcade Group. During the interview, members including Peachy Aenne, Spofie, Rookuri, and Dona Tarte discussed not only the challenges they face related to mental health but also how they are actively working to promote positive mental health spaces within their online communities. The members of Rainbow Arcade spoke candidly about how issues like anxiety and depression can impact their experiences both in and outside of gaming. However, they also emphasized the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment where individuals can openly discuss their mental health struggles without fear of judgment or stigma.
Mental Health in the Online LGBTQIA+ Community
Mental health and well-being are crucial issues affecting millions of individuals every year. In the United States, approximately 57 million people live with a mental illness, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This applies to members belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community as well. The American Psychiatric Association details that LGBTQIA+ individuals are more than twice as likely as heterosexual men and women to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime. They are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse compared to heterosexual individuals. The LGBTQIA+ community often experiences discrimination, harassment, and isolation, which can impact their mental health significantly. Bullying occurs both online and in person, and the NIH’s research shows that the percentage of cyberbullying among LGBTQ youth ranges between 10.5% and 71.3% across studies.
The previous years have been a difficult time for everyone, and the Rainbow Arcade community is not an exception. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed how many folks interact in the real world, also leading to a mental health crisis that has affected creators who are trying to balance self-care and professional support. To support mental health initiatives and create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals, the group has been working together with other organizations.
Rainbow Arcade constantly faces the challenge of creating a safe and positive space for its members while dealing with online harassment and hate speech. Hate raids are a persistent issue for the team, and many members have experienced racism, discrimination, and hatred on Twitch. These attacks involve flooding channels with bots that spew hateful messages based on factors like sexuality, gender, and race.
Although Twitch has struggled to provide resources for streamers targeted by these attacks, members of Rainbow Arcade have stepped up to create and share lists of banned accounts, tools, and tutorials to help chat moderators effectively manage the situation. Team members have also volunteered to moderate other channels during these attacks and amplified the voices of those who have been targeted on social media to bring attention to the serious impact of these hate raids.
Support Within the Rainbow Arcade Group
The members of Rainbow Arcade also face personal challenges as members of the LGBTQIA+ community that negatively influenced their mental health. Dona, for example, encountered issues when she joined the Drag Development Program in April 2020. She faced significant backlash from users who were unfamiliar with the Twitch drag community. To address this, the team shared resources and lists of slurs and bypass slurs that they could use to avoid having their channels spammed with hateful messages. As Dona explained,
“I received a lot of kickback regarding drag, being queer, and being a masc presenting person doing my makeup on the front page. As much of a blur as all of that was, I cherish that it introduced more queer & trans members to what was, at the time, our very tiny community.”
Rook faces challenges related to her identity and place in the gaming community, such as constantly having to explain herself and being overlooked for opportunities due to her LGBTQIA+ association. She has received hateful comments on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, which are not directed towards "cis white men" who are often celebrated.
Rainbow Arcade emphasized the impact of negative comments on real people behind the usernames. Despite the damage, the group explained that their only desire is to not only see members of the LGBTQIA+ community thrive, but also to use their platform to inform people outside the community, which they hope will lead to more tolerance and acceptance. Rook said,
“I try as much as possible to make my space one where we can relate and discuss. I know that I make blunders too and that, ultimately, I want everyone to feel welcome, to learn, laugh, and grow together despite our differences.”
Creating a Safe Place for Mental Health
Rainbow Arcade has established itself as a prominent platform for inclusivity and acceptance on Twitch. The group is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all members, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community who may face unique challenges related to mental health. To promote inclusivity and equality, Rainbow Arcade practices diversity in membership and provides opportunities for all members to participate in leadership roles.
Rainbow Arcade advocates for LGBTQIA+ inclusion by organizing Pride events, hosting talking panels, and collaborating with organizations such as the American Heart Association and Queer Black Excellence. They also showcase their team members through video features and have raised $10k for Trans Lifeline through fundraising efforts. Despite leadership and team changes due to the pandemic, they remain dedicated to their cause and are planning new initiatives to increase LGBTQIA+ visibility in the gaming industry and beyond.
Every member of the Rainbow Arcade team is doing their part to continue making the group one of the safest and most welcoming places on the internet. Spofie explained her approach is to prioritize positivity raiding within the LGBTQIA+ community to provide a safer space for marginalized individuals. She also emphasized the significance of having an available space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“It’s so important to have representation and a role model that you can relate to, and giving more platforms to diverse folks to share their talents is incredibly important."
Finding a Supportive LGBTQIA+ Community
When searching for a community that is LGBTQIA+ friendly, the group suggests building a relationship in the local community. Locate the local drag bars, artists, LGBTQIA+ groups, stores, bookshops, and find a space that feels comfortable. Spofie advised the importance of perseverance and understanding one's own values to find supportive communities.
“It's okay if you don't fit in with one community,” Aenne said. “There are thousands of communities on twitch, sometimes it takes a little patience. But just like in real life we always don't mesh with other people. And that's okay!"
“Whether it’s someone that’s struggling with their mental health or someone who’s looking for acceptance in an online medium that they can’t find in real life, we have the power to create spaces that do more than just exist,” Rook said. “We can uplift, accept, welcome, embrace, de-stigmatize, empower, educate (ourselves and others) and so much more.”