Tag Archives: YouTube

Top 3 YouTube Channels for Queer Female Gamers

Queer female gamers make up a ton of the video game community. However, the video games industry still caters to straight males. Why? It’s a mystery, since the Pew Research Center found that 48% of all gamers are female.

When it comes to queer video games, the tide is turning, albeit very slowly. Games like Life Is Strange push the boundaries of space, time and sexuality, while the Queerly Represent Me database keeps tabs on LGBT characters.

Still, when it comes to queer representation in mainstream games, the industry is lacking. Although mainstream games like Overwatch are including lesbian characters, queer female gamers often feel like fish out of water.

Some Let’s Play gamers are changing that.

Let’s Play is one of the most popular YouTube categories. A witty commentator cracks jokes as he or she (but usually he) plays through video games. Millions of people watch each video. The field is dominated by men, but a few queer women shine through the pack.

Danielle Riendeau

Danielle works for Polygon, one of the quirkiest game sites, and wrote about “the best video game women of 2015.” She streams dozens of games, from Fallout 4 to Bloodborne. Warning: Once you start to watch them, Danielle’s commentary so addicting that you might not emerge for 80 hours, until you watch her beat the final boss . She also streams games with her partner, Patricia Hernandez.

Tanya Depass

Tanya, a bisexual woman of color, helped found #INeedDiverseGames, a movement that spotlights players, developers and streamers of color. She is a powerhouse. Watch her Let’s Plays of everything from Mafia III to Elder Scrolls on her YouTube channel.

Kathleenmms

Kathleen is young, queer, and ready to blow your head off in Mass Effect. While she vlogs about political issues and general gaming news, her Let’s Plays are by far the most interesting – she tears into any game that she can get her hands on. Join in the fun on her YouTube channel.

What are your personal favorites?

Lesbian Vampires And Tampons: The ‘Carmilla’ Phenomenon

Whether you are a fan or not, by now we have all heard about one of  Youtube’s biggest hit series Carmilla.

This mini web-series follows Laura (Elise Bauman), a curiosity-filled Journalism student at Silas University. As she first arrives at her dorm, Laura meets her new roommate, Carmilla (Natasha Negovanlis) who, by the way, is a vampire and they both end up developing a romantic relationship (well, that’s a really summed up version of their whole relationship).

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Silas University is, naturally, invaded with supernatural catastrophes each semester, leaving Laura, Carmilla and the rest of their friend-group to fight Evil each season.

Maybe some fans may not know but the character Carmilla is actually inspired on a1872 book, also entitled Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu!

And of course you can click here to watch season 1, season 2, and the highly awaited season 3.

The question remains, why is Carmilla such a hit-show?

Carmilla is backed by U by Kotex which, ironically enough, is a tampon company! Has that changed in any way how the show is written, produced or directed?

Jay Bennet, the show’s executive producer thinks it was a natural fit, adding

I think if you look at the type of marketing campaigns that U by Kotex was doing at the time, they were not pouring blue dye on to pads, they were having women throw underwear from the balconies of apartment buildings. I think the content naturally fit in with their brand attributes, their sense of humor — a bit more irreverent, a bit more edgy.”

But if U by Kotex is such a big part of Carmilla, how come we never see an ad or a not so cheeky occasional product placement?

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Bennet explained,

One rule we don’t see others following is we do not put the brand anywhere near the scripted content. We’re dealing with female millennials, the most sophisticated consumer group of all time, and they know it’s an ad two seconds in and will move away, so we work very hard to protect the scripted content as the core driver. Once someone has fallen in love with the show and its characters, we then take them outside of the scripted series and create additional content that features the brand more clearly.”

How is U by Kotex making a difference?

In no way make the mistake to think U by Kotex isn’t leaving its mark on the tampon business, even releasing special edition tampons featuring unique Carmilla packaging!

I am not even lying, I really, really, really want vampire tampons! And they are not making a change purely on a product level!

As Natasha Negovanlis puts it, the shows portrayal of non-traditional gender roles is immensely important to its viewers:

There was a 15-year-old transgender boy who came to an autograph signing [of the Carmilla tampon box], and his parents looked me in the face and thanked for what we’re doing, and it was just a really touching emotional moment. It is such a blessing to be creating content that means something to this community and to be a voice for young people who often feel left out, misunderstood and like they don’t have a voice.”

By supporting a queer positive/female-centred show, U by Kotex has managed to earn more than just views, but rather new fans and buyers.

Well, although most Carmilla news are good news, I bring you the best news any fan would want to hear:

THEY ARE GETTING A MOVIE!!!!!

The news was just recently released so we should expect more details and dates. In the meantime, here is the trailer (Ow Lord, she brought her creampuffs). Are you a fan of Carmilla?

Let us know in the comments youropinions on the show and on the movie news!

YouTube Star Gigi Gorgeous On Identity As A Transgender Queer Woman

TV and social media personality Gigi Gorgeous officially came out as a lesbian on her YouTube channel yesterday.

I fell in love with somebody, and that person happens to be a female.”

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Although she’s been open about her relationship with girlfriend Nats Getty, this is the first time she’s shared that she identifies as a lesbian.

I’ve found someone I truly love and I have fallen in love with her and that’s the truth. And you know, labels, can be labels, but I think at the end of the day, love is love.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKERehzBeuC/

I’ve been in several relationships with men and I’ve experienced a relationship and companionship with men, but I’ve never experienced this feeling until I met this girl, and that’s how i know that i’m a lesbian.” She also talks about how not only being in this relationship, but knowing this part of her, helps her to feel comfortable, saying “I would not have seen falling in love with a girl from a mile away, but now that I’m here and now that i’m telling everyone and officially letting everybody know, I feel super happy.”

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Gorgeous’ honest and outrageous YouTube videos have made her an internet star with nearly 2.4 million subscribers watching her every move. She has also appeared on Project Runway, Entertainment Tonight, E! Celebrity Style Story, numerous MTV shows and commercials, and won a LogoTV Trailblazing Social Creator Award in 2014 for her work with LGBT youth.

She came of age just as YouTube was starting to catch on. At first, she appeared in videos as a gay teenager sharing a love of makeup and talking about dating boys. Then in 2013, in real time as thousands of fans watched, she shared her struggle that she was in fact transgender.

Ingrid Nilsen On Coming Out One Year Later (Video)

Last year, in an emotional, 19-minute video, Ingrid Nilsen came out to millions – explaining how she had denied her sexuality even to herself for a long time.

I want to live my life unapologetically because I am proud of who I am and I am not going to apologize for who I am anymore. This is the life that I have always lived in my head and now it’s real.”

One year on, she looks back over her experience, and shares in new video.

One year ago today I came out. Lots of thoughts. Lots of feelings. And I’m sharing them with you.

Youtube Power Couple Officially Split

June last year Ingrid Nilsen made waves when she came out in this touching coming out video.

She then made YouTube waves when it was announced she was dating Youtube favourite, Hannah Hart Their relationship – shipped aka Hangrid – took the YouTube community by storm last year, and we all became highly addicted to their duet videos.

However, fans are now devastated to find out that their favourite couple is sadly no longer together.

Hart and Nilsen revealed the break-up in their own words on Twitter to make sure their fans knew that the split was not sad at all, but actually totally amicable.

In fact, the decision to part ways happened nearly two months ago (in January 2016) and since, the girls have formed an incredibly solid friendship.

Both also simultaneously posted a statement on their Twitters at 6.58pm. Hannah said the following;

Over on Ingrid’s Twitter, she shared a similarly emotional message;

https://twitter.com/ingridnilsen/status/711733725390774272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

As we all know, breaking up is hard to do, even when you’re not a couple of Youtube mega-stars.

But what is positive from this story, is instead of a nasty public break-ups (which we’ve grown accustomed), the pair represent a relationship-turned-friendship that ended in a healthy way by showing that falling out of romantic love does not mean people can’t still love each other as human beings.

We wish the best for these two as they move forward and, while we’ll miss them as a couple, we’re glad to see they’re still pals!

5 Lesbians To Follow On YouTube

For some reason, this generation seems to migrate towards expression on social media. I can’t say that I’m not wrapped up in it myself. One of the things that social media has brought us in the gay community is a way to network and find each other. Not too long ago, you had to hang out in the “gay scene” in order to know other gay people. Thank goodness we can find new lesbians to talk to without leaving the house now! (I’m not really sure if that’s sarcastic or not.)

In a way, this social media outlet has even created its own brand of celebrity – that is, the viral sensation celebrity. It’s something extra special because these viral celebrities often take the time to speak with their fans and actually get to know their community on a personal basis.

Read on to find the 5 lesbian YouTube channels you should be following, along with a selection of my favorite videos.

1. Bria and Chrissy

Bria and Chrissy have been some of my favorite lesbian celebs (celesbians?) for quite a while now. Their love is inspiring, and they’re also super funny and talented. If you haven’t had the chance to check out their channel yet, you won’t regret it. My favorite Bria and Chrissy video? “10 Worst Ways to Come Out”.

2. HartBeat

Hart is something else entirely. She also falls in the “funny and talented” category that Bria and Chrissy do, but she has a wealth of skits and characters that she uses to convey her message. One of my favorite Hart videos? “Lesbian Issues” – an amusing look at some of the things that we, as lesbians, need to stop doing. I challenge you to not get it stuck in your head!

3. Arielle Scarcella

Unlike most of the lesbians on this list, Arielle takes the unpopular approach of taking on the “serious” issues with a funny twist. Of course, personally I prefer the comedy, that doesn’t mean that her serious issues aren’t important. My favorite video of hers is “Sh*t that Scares Lesbians in Bed”. Pure comedy gold!

4. Hannah Hart

Hannah Hart doesn’t really market herself “as a lesbian”, which makes her different from many of the others on this list. She doesn’t cater to the gay community, but to people in general, which means that her videos have a bit broader of an audience than some of the other channels listed here. The fact is that she’s a comedy genius, and she’s sure to cement herself as one of your favorite comedians on YouTube. My favorite Harto video is “How to Ask if a Girl is Gay”, which totally explores the awkwardness of hitting on a girl who might be straight.

5. Haley Kiyoko

Unlike the rest of the lesbians on this list, Haley Kiyoko is primarily a musician rather than a comedienne. She’s got a nice sound that’s reminiscent of older pop songs (she brings to mind Aly and AJ from the early 2000’s, for me at least). If you’re looking for a lesbian musical influence to add to your play lists, don’t miss Haley Kiyoko. My favorite of her songs? “Girls Like Girls”.

What Other Lesbians Do You Follow?

I am always on the lookout for new lesbians to follow on YouTube – and I am very curious to see your suggestions! What lesbians do you follow? Who inspires you? Share with us in the comments!

Its Official: Lesbian YouTuber Hannah Hart Confirms Relationship with Ingrid Nilson

It’s official: YouTube sensation and Project Runway judge Ingrid Nilsen – who came out in an emotional video posted to her channel in June – is dating fellow internet star Hannah Hart.  Cue all the swoons and ohs and ahs. They are too cute!

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Hart, 28, confirmed she is dating the 26-year-old beauty vlogger in the October issue of DIVA magazine.

I met someone who was a great fit for the real me…She’s also a YouTuber. We’ve actually been friends for a couple of years and then…circumstances kind of aligned. Her name is Ingrid and she is a big YouTuber. But she’s also one of the most brilliant, soulful people I’ve ever met. It’s so good.”

She added that being in the same industry as her girlfriend only makes their relationship better.

To have a peer who is also my partner, who does what I do and gets this world, this world that we live in, but also gets the world inside ourselves? “

 

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While Hart has been open about her sexuality for years, Ingrid only came out this past summer.

In a powerful YouTube video that received more than 12 million views, the one-time Project Runway judge revealed she had been attracted to girls since age four but always dated men because she was scared of not being accepted by society because of her sexual preference.

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I’ve always known since my earliest memories. This is not something that I chose. It is something that is a part of me and has always been a part of me.’

She went on to say:

I want to live my life unapologetically because I am proud of who I am and I am not going to apologize for who I am anymore. This is the life that I have always lived in my head and now it’s real.”

YouTube Beauty Guru Ingrid Nilsen Comes Out in Powerful New Video

You might know YouTuber Ingrid Nilsen from her stint as a judge on Project Runway: Threads, or maybe you’re one of her more than three million YouTube followers who have been watching her videos for the past six years.

And if you are, you know her to be one of the most honest video stars out there, someone who really connects with her fans.

Yesterday, Nilsen had an important message for her 3.3 million followers, announcing in an emotional 20-minute video that she is gay.

The video, which garnered more than 1 million hits in just eight hours, featured an alternately tearful and pensive Nilsen explaining how she decided to come clean about something very personal.

Looking *so* relieved to say the actual words, “I’m gay”, Ingrid gets right down to business when the video starts.

Just try not to cry with her as she spills her heart out on camera – it’s so, so touching.

 

She goes on to explain how she grew up in an environment where being gay was “not universally accepted” and that she was dating men just to “go through the motion.”

This is something that is a part of me and has always been a part of me”

Her last boyfriend, the “last guy she’ll ever date,” was “kind, respectful, and supportive,” but she couldn’t keep lying to herself.

I want to live my life unapologetically because I am proud of who I am and I am not going to apologize for who I am anymore. This is the life that I have always lived in my head and now it’s real.”

#DearMe ‘Guess what? You’re gay’ – What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self?

#DearMe is currently trending on Twitter, but what is behind the message.

Well, it is a YouTube new campaign, launched ahead of International Women’s Day, that encourages women to write letters and make videos with the advice they’d have given their teenage selves.

It’s part of a YouTube campaign in celebration of International Women’s Day (on Sunday March 8) to “empower young girls everywhere”.

So if you could go back in time and share some wise words with your teenage self, what would you say?

Prominent YouTube bloggers – and Youtube’s CEO, Susan Wojcicki – kicked off the campaign. But now thousands of women are getting involved, including Hannah Hart and Felicia Day.

What Lesbians Do Before and After A First Date?

So what are your dating rituals? Our favourite vloggers, Steph Ello and Arielle Scarcella, take us through the pre-date insecurities to a fashion crisis, on to post-date facebook stalking, sexual preference confirmation, and to the great text debate – who texts first?

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Watch and enjoy people…

Before

After… too funny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZgzWbEdAQo

Steph Ello Teaches Gay Men a Thing or Two About Lesbian Slang

What do they say – men are from mars and women from venus. Well the same can be said for LGBT community, where the gay boys and girls have a totally different lingo.

Watch as YouTube vlogger, Steph Ello, catches on camera a butch of gay guys reacting to lesbian slang.

Oh If Only, ‘Fifty Shades Of Gay’ Official Trailer

Ah lesbians of the world – so if you were going to parody ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ how would it look. Like this – fantastic video from The Gay Women Channel – perfect.

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#AskMRod – Michelle Rodriguez is Answering Questions From Her Fans On YouTube

Yes you heard it right, Michelle Rodriguez is answering questions from her fans via Social Media. So if you want to get in touch using #AskMRod on Facebook or Twitter and she may respond to you via YouTube.

 

#AskMRod – Where would you like to be in five years?

Athletes Come Out to Support #ProudToPlay

Athletes that support #ProudToPlay…

“Proud to play means to me someone who is proud of all the things that makes them who they are, whether it be your race or religion or sexual orientation, heck…your height! It’s important to be proud of who you are. As a professional athlete, we accept that we are role models. It’s great that regardless of your sexual orientation, that the conversation was started and people started talking about being gay in professional sports. If you’re straight, just continue to be supportive. And if you see someone being bullied, or hear language that’s inappropriate, speak up and speak out. It’s very important to have those allies out there who are being brave for some of us who aren’t yet ready to be brave on our own.”

Jason Collins

“As more people come forward and are proud of who they are, and compete and do well, I think that will really change everything. I’m proud to play because I know I’m helping people. I know that there is young gay men and women out there, athletes who now have someone they can look up to in the sports world.”

Robbie Rogers

“Equality in sports has to be there for your team to be successful. It’s these little building blocks that you learn through playing sports. The bravery of being yourself is really the anchor of it all. You have to be brave in your own convictions, you have to be brave about who you are and you have to be brave to step forward and step into the spotlight and declare to the rest of the world this is who I am.”

Kobe Bryant

“I am proud to play because it is important for people to know that it is only the inclusion of the full spectrum of society that will make sport the truly unifying force it can be in the world. YouTube has always been a place where those without a voice in the mainstream could find a place to start a conversation. I know that the Proud to Play campaign can highlight the cause of those in the LGBT and straight ally communities who just want to be able to contribute to and seek enjoyment from sport.”

John Amaechi

“When I came out as a high schooler, there was no conversation about what it means to be an LGBTQ athlete: there were simply no role models and no public information for teenagers coming out in the athletic world. Coming out in college allowed me to create real relationships with my teammates – not ones based on secrecy, guilt, and shame. Coming out helped me to be stronger both emotionally as well as physically, and it encouraged me to get active on campus. These resources, on this type of platform, will affect way more young LGBTQ+ people than anyone could expect. I am #ProudToPlay.”

Eliana Yankelev

 

#ProudToPlay – YouTube Celebrates Pride Month

Yesterday, YouTube along with with parent company Google, launched the huge #ProudToPlay campaign, which honours LGBT athletes, and celebrates LGBT Pride Month.

“Sports bring together people from all backgrounds and experiences through a shared passion, and YouTube shares that spirit of connecting diverse communities to make a difference. In celebration of the upcoming games in Brazil and LGBT Pride month, we’re honoring the LGBT athletes, their supporters, as well as the YouTube Creators who stand up for diversity in sports and elsewhere-all of whom help create an equal and inclusive playing field for everyone.”

Raymond Braun, YouTube Marketing Manager

They are also now encouraging YouTubers to create videos about LGBT sports issues that YouTube will highlight over the next month. The YouTube pride logo, featuring a rainbow soccer ball, will be on every YouTube page.

This is huge statement by the top two sites and continues to build momentum for 2014 as the year of the gay athlete.

LGBT athletes including Jason Collins, John Amaechi, Kobe Bryant, Brittney Griner, Robbie Rogers, John Amaechi and Darren Young will be sharing their stories on YouTube.

Organizations including GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, You Can Play, Laureus, and the LGBT Sports Coalition are supporting this campaign and work to promote equality.

“As athletes from across nations and leagues come out, sports fans throughout the world are embracing LGBT players and ejecting bias from the game. GLAAD is thrilled to support Google and YouTube in this landmark initiative to help tackle stereotypes and build understanding.”

Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO

YouTube released the following press statement:

From the Sochi Olympics to the recent NFL draft, this year has seen a growing, global conversation about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in the world of sports. Many LGBT athletes are sharing their stories on YouTube, and the support they’re getting from teammates and fans has helped others find the courage to do the same.

Sports bring together people from all backgrounds and experiences through a shared passion, and YouTube shares that spirit of connecting diverse communities to make a difference. In celebration of the upcoming World Cup in Brazil and LGBT Pride month, we’re honoring the LGBT athletes, their supporters, as well as the YouTube Creators who stand up for diversity in sports and elsewhere—all of whom help create an equal and inclusive playing field for everyone. Inspired by #ProudToLove last year, we’re calling this effort #ProudToPlay.

We applaud the courage and openness of athletes at all levels who have come out and admire their teammates, friends, families, and supporters who are all proving that it doesn’t matter who you are or who you love—what matters is that you put forward your best effort. We stand with our community in the belief that youth everywhere should all have the same opportunities to grow up and pursue their dreams and passions, on or off the field…

Sports bring together people from all backgrounds and experiences through a shared passion, and YouTube shares that spirit of connecting diverse communities to make a difference. In celebration of the upcoming World Cup in Brazil and LGBT Pride month, we’re honoring the LGBT athletes, their supporters, as well as the YouTube Creators who stand up for diversity in sports and elsewhere—all of whom help create an equal and inclusive playing field for everyone.

Inspired by #ProudToLove last year, we’re calling this effort #ProudToPlay.

Join the conversation by uploading a video talking about what being #ProudToPlay means to you. Over the course of Pride month, Logo (our parent company) will share a collection of videos about the LGBT community and sports on theYouTube Spotlight Channel.