Approximately one in five gamers identify as part of the LGBT+ community, yet games featuring LGBT+ storylines and characters make up less than two percent of the gaming landscape.
This revelation comes from the inaugural GLAAD Gaming Report, a collaboration between GLAAD, a leading advocate for LGBT+ representation, and Nielsen, a prominent market research firm.
Compared with a previous study by Nielsen conducted three years ago, which indicated that 10 percent of gamers identified as LGBT+, the latest findings show a notable surge to 17 percent, marking a substantial 70 percent increase. Notably, a significant portion of LGBT+ gamers falls within the younger demographic, under the age of 35, indicating greater acceptance within this age group.
However, despite this significant demographic presence, games featuring LGBT+ characters and narratives are disproportionately scarce across major gaming platforms. According to the report, such games constitute less than two percent of titles available on digital libraries for Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo.
Even on Steam, where the figure slightly increases to under 2.5 percent, it drops to a meager 1.7 percent when excluding adult-only content.
It’s worth noting that the methodology involved filtering games using the LGBT+ tag on each platform, potentially excluding titles that do feature LGBT+ representation but aren’t specifically tagged as such. For example, Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam doesn’t carry the LGBT+ tag but includes storylines featuring LGBT+ relationships.
The report delves into the significance of representation in gaming, highlighting that 72 percent of LGBT+ players feel better about themselves when they see characters aligning with their gender identity or sexual orientation. Additionally, 68 percent express a desire for more prominent LGBT+ storylines in games.
Furthermore, gaming serves as a platform for self-expression and exploration of identity for many LGBT+ individuals, with 66 percent stating that games provide a means of expression not possible in real life. Additionally, 36 percent attribute gaming to helping them understand their sexuality, while 11 percent utilize games as an escape from real-world challenges.
However, the report also underscores persistent issues of harassment within gaming communities, with 52 percent of LGBT+ players reporting experiencing harassment online, compared to 38 percent of non-LGBT+ players. Consequently, 42 percent have avoided certain games due to fears of harassment, and 27 percent have ceased playing altogether because of such experiences.
Ultimately, the report advocates for inclusive representation and acceptance of LGBT+ individuals within the gaming industry. It argues that the proportion of games featuring LGBT+ representation should align with the share of LGBT+ players. Moreover, it calls for the industry to actively foster inclusive communities and increase the presence of LGBT+ individuals in decision-making roles.
Blair Durkee, associate director of gaming at GLAAD, emphasizes the mutual benefits of LGBTQ inclusion in gaming, stating that it doesn’t deter non-LGBTQ individuals from playing games but significantly impacts the experiences of LGBTQ gamers. However, despite progress, the report highlights that gaming lags behind other entertainment media in terms of representation.
The GLAAD report, conducted in collaboration with Nielsen, surveyed 1,452 self-identified PC and console gamers in the United States. The full report is available on the GLAAD website.
