As esports, particularly the fighting game community (FGC), grows, we must ensure LGBTQ+ inclusion remains central. Many top players are non-cis-heterosexual, and the community is tolerant in general. However, as more money enters esports, there’s a risk that financial pressures could undermine this progress, as we've seen in traditional sports.
It’s crucial to keep an eye on these changes and make sure that growing commercial interests don’t compromise inclusivity. The FGC in 2025 is open, but how safe and welcoming it is can vary. Let’s keep pushing to protect inclusion as esports evolves.
I'm Rafael Lechugo. I grew up in the '90s playing Street Fighter, but it has been taking years to find a community that embraces me. Competing is also harder when you feel dismissed as a gay man.
(Note: This is only my honest experience, and others in the LGBTQ+ community may feel differently.)