ESO players marched across Vvardenfell's mushroom-laden isle this year in celebration of Pride, telling gamers everywhere that they belong while celebrating who they are. This was organised by Twitch streamer Locke who, along with moonxdaughter, ficusfox, Zharwyn, elsyarts, gwentthebard, theelvishwolf, and Sindradottir, raised over $6,000 for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention charity The Trevor Project.
We sat down to talk with some of the organisers and players who took part to ask what ESO Pride means to them.
"There are many LGBTQIA+ people who are unable to attend IRL Pride events for a variety of reasons, this gives them a chance to feel the community that comes with these events," Locke says. "The game has a lot of representation and normalisation of queer relationships. So being able to embrace that with the community is very important. Gaming, like a lot of the world, can be a divisive place and it's important to show that LGBTQIA players are an important and included part of the gaming space. It shows me, and many others, that the negative and hostile voices that seem so loud on social media actually are a small part of the community."
"This year was my first time participating in a Pride Parade, period," @SkyrimBeauty tells me. "It was a delight and joy to see so many people participate. It truly showed the best side of this remarkable community. Unlike many other games, ESO is a friendly online space for LGBTQIA2S+. I hope events like this will help more LBGTQIA2S+ people to find a community that is accepting, open, and full of love."
"ESO Pride means the world to me because everyone deserves to be loved and accepted no matter their background or how they identify themselves, Twitch streamer loonaromi tells me. "Online we're often anonymous which brings out the ugly side in a lot of people so because of that I believe that it's all the more important for us to stand together. The bullies will never win. Not in the long run - not today or tomorrow."
"Having Pride events in ESO is so connective," Aetherderius says. "I can be in a guild with other queer people, who share a love of Tamriel, safely - I've made some wonderful friends in-game who, when I came out to them, said they support me 100 percent and switched to my new pronouns instantly. Seeing the long, glorious marches, full of colour and life fills me with a sense of belonging. I am not alone, no matter how much it can feel like it in real life."
"I've been out since I was an early teenager and back then it was hard to figure out where I belonged. Internet communities were just up on the rise and I struggled a lot to find games that felt inclusive," Zharwyn tells me. "To see ESO Pride become such a successive part of a game that I love, much thanks to the organizer Locke, means that I can see how many that support us but also how many we are that need this. I'm 38 now and I've always tried my best to show up or speak for those who can't. For those who aren't with us anymore. For those that can't be their true self for several reasons. I will be loud and proud for them. Always.
"Raising funds for The Trevor Project is one of the best causes we can think of. I've had and lost friends that chose not to live in this world anymore ever since I was young. Suicide prevention and resources are imperative to our cause, whether we like it or not. We need to make sure we try our best to leave this world better for the future LGBTQIA2S+ youth out there. Our work is not done; I feel it's never going to be. I've experienced a lot of hate and bigotry within the gaming communities for decades. It gets exhausting. That's why, when I logged into ESO Pride and the EU Pride March that day, I see how needed it is. These are my people, my community, our friends and our allies. To everyone that could show up; Thank you. For everyone that couldn't: I've got your back. You are loved and you are valid."