The Sims 4 introduces first non-binary character with Island Living
Lia Hauata is the first stock Sim without a binary gender. (YouTube)
The Sims 4 has debuted its first stock character who is gender non-confirming as part of its new ‘Island Living’ expansion pack.
Released on Friday (June 21), ‘Island Living’ introduces Lia Hauata, the first pre-made character without a binary gender identity.
YouTuber Lilsimsie shared a glimpse at the character’s ‘Create a Sim’ settings, which show Lia to have a “masculine” physical frame and a “feminine” clothing preference. The settings also state that Lia is able to become pregnant.
“In a game that’s supposed to be about representing people, it is so cool to see people represented. The Sims, one of the biggest franchises ever, just put an actual transgender Sim into their game… and she’s beautiful,” Lilsimsie said.
The Sims 4 loosens gender binary
The Sims players have been able to create custom characters outside of the gender binary since 2016, though the game hadn’t featured a gender non-conforming stock character until now.
Makers Electronic Arts (EA) worked with LGBT+ media organisation GLAAD on the 2016 update, allowing players to create custom characters with attributes from the prescribed masculine and feminine categories.
“In a game that’s supposed to be about representing people, it is so cool to see people represented.”
—YouTuber Lilsimsmie
“Creating the possibility for greater gender diversity within the world of The Sims is an exciting development,” Nick Adams, the director of GLAAD’s Transgender Media Program, said in a statement.
“It was a pleasure working with developers who were committed to updating the game so that all players can create a Sims world that more accurately reflects the world in which we live today.”
The Sims 4 releases Pride content
On Tuesday (June 18) EA rolled out a raft of LGBT+ content to celebrate Pride month, made available on The Sims 4 on PC, The Sims FreePlay and The Sims Mobile.
Players can access items such as gender-neutral bathroom door and Pride-themed clothing.
The content was created in partnership with the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit organisation for LGBT+ youth.
