Riot has the power to shape the culture of the future

Ethnography··2 votes·743 views

It is no secret that non-normative identities (gender, race, sexuality) have been marginalized in popular video games. But League of Legends has the power to completely change how gamers see minority groups. First off, I am thankful that we do get to see some minority groups in League of Legends; Ekko, Lucian, and all the powerful female champions that have gained me elo (thanks Janna and Sejuani), however we have yet to have an openly gay, bisexual, transgender, or pansexual champion. While some may say we have Taric, or Ezreal, this is simply a projection of our own popular conception of gay men that is frankly, a little close minded. With the introduction of a champion that is not heterosexual gamers young and old alike can have a role model that is otherwise never seen in popular media. It is of utmost importance to have representation of diverse groups, and with over a hundred champions you would think we could have at least one champion who has an open relationship that is not hetero-normative. I realize that those in marketing might believe that heterosexuality sells, but you may be surprised at how awesome, and loving our community really is.

13 Comments

Raxicor2 votes

I'm under the impression that we don't know a lot if any of the champion's sexual preferences especially after retcon. I don't know what it'd bring to the game?

MinionsRpeople22 votes

We do have teemo and tristana and a bunch of lol romances like garen and kat. Idk you might wanna read the lore if you want to know their sexual preferences because it is in there.

Raxicor2 votes

Can I get a link because I think I'm reading different lores...?

Ethnography2 votes

Honestly bringing up sexuality in the lore is nothing new, so why not diversify it?

Raxicor2 votes

I swear everyone is reading different lore than me. :o And its confusing me.

Ethnography2 votes

Hmm yeah i think there was actually a video trailer of the katarina and garen lore relationship. Alot of lore was actually taken down and it used to be in this newspaper (journal) form. I don't exactly know how to get it. But I know the Ashe Trynd lore off the top of my head as the are King/Queen of Freljord. Thanks for your comments Raxicor, glad some people in the community are at least showing interest!

Raxicor1 votes

I'm very interested in the lore, but so much has been lost/deleted that its hard to know what is 100% correct. Hence my confusion. A lot of what I find are just friendships and crushes which aren't proof of one way or the other. Though there is some fun in the open-endedness of it all. They any character can be what you want them to be. But in the grand scheme of league I don't really think its our business to know their sexuality if the characters don't share, you know? xD Maybe I'm overthinking it.

Lugg2 votes

{quoted}

however we have yet to have an openly gay, bisexual, transgender, or pansexual champion. While some may say we have Taric, or Ezreal, this is simply a projection of our own popular conception of gay men that is frankly, a little close minded.

Taric and Ezreal are pretty much right on in this regard. I have friends that are gay who agree.

Ethnography1 votes

Yeah, while it can be funny to make fun of the fabulous gem knight its kind of an old joke. I did not expect this post to get as many downvotes as it has. I guess I was wrong about our community, but it makes me happy to see other people at least being rational about all this stuff! TY for your input Lugg!

DaneMac1 votes

Pansexual? What SJW hole did you pop out of?

We're playing a video game with monsters, fairies, demons, angels and other fantasy like characters. Why do we need to have this become another media that tumblr can embrace as it's own? For Christs sake, piss off. If they chose to make ONLY white males from now on till the end of time then let them.

Why the fuck do we need to have ''diverse'' characters.

Ethnography1 votes

Sorry if I hit a sensitive spot for you. Diverse characters can provide for real world role models that are actually pretty important. I can give you more details and information into the sociological impact of diverse role models, but something tells me you might not like what you read. If I am wrong, I have plenty of sources for you. Once again, I did not mean to upset you so sorry for that.

DaneMac1 votes

Did I come off as offended? I'm not, I find it laughable that people need to force these ''diversity'' issues into art. IT'S not in Riot's interest to dabble in sociopolitical matters. They have to be allowed to create what EVER they want without people demanding that they create certain champions.

Also, Trans-gendered? In a medieval fantasy setting? 0.001% of the population in the world are estimated to be trans. I could really care less if someone is, good for them. Do what ever you feel good with. BUT, when you start trying to force the developers to create something for the 0.001% then we're starting a slippery slope.

Are you of the same persuasion that there should've been ''diverse groups'' in Witcher 3? Or that it was racist that in RE 4 a Leon was shooting black zombies?

And Pan sexual? I don't know much of ''pan sexuality'' I can however read that it seems like it's just a new word for ''bi-sexuality''

Angry Monster1 votes

And Pan sexual? I don't know much of ''pan sexuality'' I can however read that it seems like it's just a new word for ''bi-sexuality''

from what i am gathering on line, PAN is where the person does not identify with a gender but still desires both sexs. Which is different than non gender cause what seems to be a lack of sexual drive and does not identify with a gender

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