A Celebration of Pride
It's Pride month: A time of year which signifies the affirmation of our identity as celebrations uplift our communities across the globe in solidarity. For many, Pride is raucous, raunchy and risque; for others harkening back to its revolutionary inception, we acknowledge the extensive groundwork that remains as persecution of LGBTQA+ people persist. Yet as we look outward we see a tangible shift in the cultural fabric take place; more than ever, people want to hear our stories - and through the ground-breaking efforts of artists and activists eager to bring these stories to life, we have redefined the precedent for interactive media. The social dynamic has changed: We are here to stay.
This is a special month for Fetch Quest Journeys too. Marking our 25th post I am honoured to welcome our first ever guest writers: Craig Penfold and Elvira Moreno, whose empathy, resilience, and insight have been an inspiration for myself and many others. We bonded in the summer of 2021, sharing our love for the gaming sphere and its potential as an impactful storytelling medium. Over the course of several discussions revolving around our favourite protagonists, I found myself reflecting on how their relationship with this artform embodies one of the most intrinsic aspects of our humanity: How we can enact change for good as we advocate for representation. Here is how videogames have helped shaped their experiences as LGBTQA+ people:
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Craig: Jacob Frye (Assassin's Creed Syndicate)
Sir Jacob Frye, Master Assassin of the British Brotherhood during Victorian London, one half of the twin Assassins with his sister Evie and a playable character in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, is Bisexual. I am also Bisexual, and it took me a while to understand that about myself. Jacob was one of the characters I always related to at least to some extent, but I was oblivious as to why.
When I finally started realising and accepting my own sexuality, I was reflecting on meaningful characters in my life and Jacob was there. He’s a Bisexual individual figuring himself out and what he likes, noticing and getting distracted by and unintentionally flirting with different types of people. Not only was Jacob charismatic and cool, but his experience as an LGBTQA+ person navigating the world around him became relatable and helpful to me, and I thank him for it.
- Craig Penfold
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Elvira: Kassandra and Judy, My Beloveds
When I was asked if I wanted to share something in regards to videogames and Pride month, I happily jumped at the opportunity. For some, "a game is just a game," but to me it is a whole new experience.
I grew up in a household that played videogames often. My father and brothers always had the latest consoles, but it wasn’t until 2018 that I got my own PlayStation: The first console that opened up a vast world for me to explore. The games included were Marvel’s Spider-Man and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey; I had always been fascinated with Assassin’s Creed since learning about the series in one of my history classes at university, especially the idea that we could relive the memories of someone from a different time period.
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When I realized I could play as a woman in Ancient Greece in Assassin's Creed Odyssey, I was immediately entranced; I hadn’t played many games featuring a playable female protagonist and this is why I was so deeply invested in Kassandra's journey. She became a beacon in my life - a strong and self-assured woman making her way through a male-dominated world, never giving up on her quest to reunite her family.
But "What does this have to do with Pride?" you might ask; well, at the time I was still coming to terms with my sexuality despite having come out in 2015. I never felt comfortable in my own skin, yet seeing Kassandra be so open about herself helped me feel more comfortable with myself. I grew more confident as I saw this woman journey throughout the world and embrace her strengths: She’s bold, unapologetic, charismatic, and I adore her. I have never felt so connected to a character and being able to put myself in her sandals and try to understand her world was refreshing and empowering.
I never knew videogames could be this personal - you’re seeing a story unfold but you take the driver’s seat as it all happens. They’re not just an escape from reality or a way to pass the time, but a fulfilling experience where you can learn a lot about yourself in the process. Kassandra’s confidence has helped me in a profound way: Now I’m more open and less afraid of who I am.
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In the summer of 2021 I had the opportunity to play Cyberpunk 2077. I was
curious about the game because of the option to play as a woman in a world that fascinated me - and there was one particular character who I
fell in love with right away: Judy Álvarez, the
best braindance techie in Night City. She immediately captured my
attention; a bold and unapologetic character, she is confident in herself and eager to help those in need. What I loved most about her was that she
was written so beautifully - you could tell a lot of love and care went into
creating her character.
It’s rare to see Lesbian Latinas portrayed without being treated like a stereotype or a joke, but Judy felt very real and human - I cared about her struggles and in the end I just wanted her to be happy. As a Lesbian Latina myself I always see how people treat us in any type of media - sometimes we have a heavy accent or we’re always angry, but Judy was one of the first times I saw an authentic representation of someone like me. We share similar beliefs and struggles and feel so intensely about the things that matter to us. It made me feel less alone. And it made me feel happy to have such positive representation.
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Lucy A: Notable Mentions
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