The world of video games hasn’t always been an inclusive space for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout the 2000s and into the early 2010s, video game voice chats were filled with homophobic slurs and misogynistic comments geared at anyone who dared to sound or present “feminine.”
Now, according to reporting from NPR, close to 1 in 5 American gamers identify as LGBTQ+, representing nearly 20% of all gamers nationwide. Research from GLAAD indicates around 52% of LGBTQ+ gamers faced harassment while playing online, and over 40% have avoided a game because of threats or harassment.
Take note: there are safe spaces for LGBTQ+ gamers here in the Carolinas. Welcome to the Charlotte Gaymers Network, an inclusive community group based in Charlotte, dedicated to bringing together LGBTQ+ gamers and allies. Founded by current Executive Director Jonny Saldana and former director Zach Smith, CGN has grown rapidly since its inception, providing a safe and welcoming space for individuals to connect through their shared passion for gaming.
“For me, growing up and getting bullied as a gay kid, video games were a safe haven — an escape to sort of not face the kind of cruddy reality I was facing at the moment,” Smith told Qnotes in an earlier interview about CGN’s founding. “I think that’s why they became so important to me.”
CGN’s mission goes beyond just gaming. It encourages connections, promotes inclusivity, and supports the LGBTQ+ community in various ways. The network hosts a range of events, from casual meetups and game nights to larger-scale gatherings and charity events. These activities not only provide entertainment but also serve as crucial support systems for many members, helping them build friendships and find a sense of belonging.
“I think we all remember when we picked up our first controller, we all remember the very first video game you played,” Saldana said. “Being able to enjoy that in a space with other people is something that’s very profound.”
The network also addresses broader issues in the gaming industry. For instance, CGN has been involved in discussions around the representation of LGBTQ+ characters in video games. This advocacy is crucial, as inclusive representation can have a profound impact on players’ experiences and sense of identity.
“Until very recently, most game developing houses were primarily staffed by straight white men,” Saldana explained. “So now that these spaces are being filled with more people of color, more queer folks, all of that, you’re seeing a lot more often authentic storytelling or genuine [representation] within this world.”
Charlotte Gaymers Network Deputy Director David McRae said the move towards more inclusivity in the narratives of video games has been a long time coming.
“Nobody’s there to make you uncomfortable, that is not our goal,” he explained. “We have more in common than you think, we’re just trying to get through life. Queer people are always around you, so now we’re finally seeing our stories being told.”
Specifically, there’s been a rise in openly queer or gender-nonconforming characters where the character’s existence in the story plot isn’t driven by their sexual orientation. Some titles the two have noticed increased representation on include Last of Us series (the main protagonist is a lesbian and there are LGBTQ+ storylines), Baulder’s Gate 3 (a Dungeons and Dragons inspired story-driven game), Overwatch (a first-person shooter team game) and more.
Despite these efforts, the broader gaming industry still has a long way to go in terms of LGBTQ+ representation. According to a 2024 NPR report, about 20% of gamers identify as LGBTQ+, a significant increase from previous years. However, representation in video games remains lacking. Only a small fraction of games feature LGBTQ+ characters or storylines, and when they do, these representations are often stereotypical or tokenistic.
“I can’t wait for the day when I watch a film or I play a video game, and the character is gay or trans or lesbian or non-binary, and it’s not made into such a big thing,” Saldana said. “Because when we watch movies or play games and it’s straight people, they’re not like, ‘Oh, I’m straight, and this is my straight girlfriend,’ … just to be able to watch or participate in an artistic medium where the LGBTQ character just exists and that’s just normal, that’s what we’re working toward.”
A proactive organization, it works to ensure that all members feel welcome and respected, regardless of their background or gaming experience. This approach has resonated with many in the community, making CGN a popular and well-regarded group in the Charlotte area.
A popular monthly event the organization presents on a regular basis is Gamer Gathering, which has been held every week at 1300 South Blvd. since October 2020.
“We typically have between 200 to 300 people that attend this event,” Saldana said. “We have PlayStation fives, Nintendo switches, and we just launched a full sized retro arcade, where people can come in and play Pac Man Galaga, Simpsons, Marvel vs. Capcom two — retro games that they grew up and played.”
Saldana says around 60% to 70% of the folks who come to the monthly gathering identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, but there are others who come that are straight allies.
“We have a very, very diverse crowd,” Saldana said. “[We] have Black, trans women, Asian folks, people across the socioeconomic spectrum who are there. It’s truly a melting pot of diversity and belonging, and it’s something that’s truly unique, I think, to the city of Charlotte.”
Saldana continued by saying the organization also involves itself in community events. In fact, CGN had its own stage with a DJ, activities and vendor booths at Charlotte Pride last year.
Now, CGN is traveling to conventions and panels across the country sharing their mission and providing their services. From attending anime conventions in Hawaii to setting up an “activation” area at Creating Change (the largest LGBTQ+ conference in America), CGN has hit the national stage in only a matter of four years.
“We have really tapped into this very non-traditional fundraising method,” Saldana explained. “We’re really hoping that in the next year or two we can expand into the development of actual satellite locations and chapters throughout the country. We’re targeting locations to open in New York, Miami, and Pittsburgh by the end of next year.”
CGN is then able to use the money generated from attending these conferences and providing services to invest back into their home — Charlotte.
New philanthropic efforts are now in motion, starting in some Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools. One initiative — Project Blue Shell — awards high-achieving school students with Nintendo Switch consoles, video games, school supplies and $500 for their families. Saldana said CGN also set up a children’s learning competition at Ridge Road Middle School, where students combine learning in the classroom with their favorite pastime.
“I just talked to the principal a couple of weeks ago … He has told us that because of our projects from this year compared to 2023, there’s been a 77% reduction in suspensions due to violence, there has been a 30% increase in attendance school wide and there has been a 15% increase in standardized testing scores,” Saldana explained.
The CGN also has a program for high school students called Project Saturn, where low-income students can learn skills such as game design, web development, coding — free of charge.
“A lot of these kids want to become the next Mr. Beast — they want to become the next professional esports player, all of that and just like any other sport, it’s very hard to get to that level,” Saldana said. “So we’re giving them the skills to go into careers where they can be successful in that world.”
CGN also recently secured the largest amount of funding it has ever received — a multi-year $35,000 grant from the NC LatinX collaborative. The organization also received $24,000 from the city of Charlotte infusion fund, and both of those grants are locked in to be used for local initiatives.
“The most exciting news that we have is we budgeted this year to raise $142,000 operationally, and due to a significant amount of investment and some really great work through the organization’s fundraising and grant writing, were actually on track to raise $310,000,” Saldana said. “While the organization is growing and is likely to take a more nationwide approach, he said there will always be an emphasis on the Charlotte community.
“All of our projects are executed in Mecklenburg County,” Saldana said. “We reinvest all of this money right here in Charlotte … Those are the ways that we try to give back and we try to show Charlotte as much love as possible because we’re only here and possible because of this city.
For more information, you can visit the nonprofit’s website at https://www.charlottegaymersnetwork.com/.
I’m astonished that a group focused on drunken cult of personality is being highlighted as a supportive community. Talk to any of the dozens of officers that have been banned or chased away from the organization and you’ll hear a very different story.