Culture

Non-profit Trans Lifeline steps in to offer trans tag after Twitch fails to act for two years

Streamers like Nikatine, Miabyte and MSTRSSFOX have been particularly vocal (Nikatine/Twitter)

It’s been over two years since Twitch streamers began requesting a trans tag on the platform and Twitch are still yet to offer a solution.

Now, non-profit organisation Trans Lifeline has launched a new platform that introduces not only a trans tag, but a whole range of diverse tags for marginalised content creators on Twitch.

Streamers who sign up to Peer2Peer.Live will then be featured on the page under their chosen tags that covers not only the full spectrum of the LGBT+ community, but race, gender, religion and mental health.

Why a trans tag is needed

At present, Twitch has an all-encompassing LGBTQIA+ tag used by creators in the community. The aim of the tag is to allow LGBT+ content creators to list their streams appropriately and find one another on the platform.

Yet the tag doesn’t allow for individual voices within the community, let alone the issue of allies consistently using the tag and diluting the voices of queer people. Trans streamers in particular are asking for a new trans tag with which to label their streams.

Streamers like Nikatine, Miabyte and MSTRSSFOX have been particularly vocal, with support from other LGBT+ streamers. The Transmission Gaming stream team has also been set up to support trans streamers and allow visibility on the platform.

A campaign for Twitch to create a trans tag was launched two years ago and has since received thousands of votes and comments. Twitch themselves have acknowledged the campaign but are yet to provide a solution. 

“While creating a Tag seems like the obvious answer, we feel there might be a better solution to handle this with more care, however we aren’t ready to share details just yet,” they’ve said. “This is an important issue, and we want to make sure we get things right.”

One major concern is that including a trans tag will only increase the amount of harassment that trans streamers receive on Twitch. Yet, beyond Twitch moderating their platform to a stronger degree, trans streamers note the positives outweigh the negatives.

“We already get harassment, a tag won’t change that. It will do the opposite,” said Miabyte in a Twitter thread. “We can create bonds & communities to support one another. Help bolster representation on your platform.”

Says Nikatine: “What we NEED to fight harassment is an ability to find each other & bond. Please let us.”

A lifeline for trans streamers

The new Peer2Peer.Live from Trans Lifeline allows for all the benefits a trans tag would provide, just on a separate platform. Streamers can sign up to link their Twitch channel and be featured on the site.

“At Peer2Peer.Live we believe that connecting to community is a vital part of what it means to be human,” reads the Code of Conduct on the site.

“Unfortunately, in a world where anti-Blackness, ableism, racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia run rampant it can be difficult for marginalised people to form safe and supportive communities online. Peer2Peer.Live provides a broadcaster directory that helps content creators and viewers with marginalised identities connect to and empower one another.”

The site clearly states its values of identity, peer support and accountability, as well as listing clear definitions of harassment and discrimination. Streamers who sign up to the site must abide by the rules to create spaces free from discrimination and harassment.

With clear filtering options and a sea of amazing, positive streamers already listed on the site, it provides an invaluable resource for streamers and viewers of all marginalised groups to find and support one another.

Twitch might be yet to provide their own solution, but Trans Lifeline have offered the next best thing – a lifeline for trans content creators.

To find out how else you can support trans streamers, visit transtwitch.isnice.be.

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