LGBTQIA+ and Gender Identity

Takeaway:
Regarding LGBTQIA+ content, countries have different
regulations and societal expectations.

A graphic indicating the wide range and changing attitudes toward homosexuality (comparing 1981-2000 and 2001-2014). Source: OECD.org Society at a Glance 2019 report

Attitudes toward the queer community vary greatly from region to region, as you can see in the graph to the left. While some places, like Iceland, have high rates of acceptance, others consider it very taboo.

This can directly impact what players want or expect out of game design/character creation. For instance, when Assassin's Creed Odyssey released the "Legacy of the First Blade, Shadow Heritage" DLC in 2019, players were so upset about characters who could previously be queer being forced into straight relationships to have a baby, the game's director had to issue an apology, saying, "We missed the mark."

When Can Content Appear Pro- or Anti-LGBTQIA+?

When making content, it's important to be able to recognize what could be interpreted as pro- or anti-LGBTQIA+ since either stance can be controversial. Below are examples of content that can lead to certain interpretations:

Content That Can Be Interpreted as Pro:

Same-sex marriage or dating mechanisms
Two NPCs of the same sex raising a child together (even if they are "friends" in the game, players will interpret this as a queer relationship)
Having NPCs flirt with the player in games (especially games without character creation such as city builders or racing games). If the NPC is female, it may feel queer for female players. If the NPC is male, it may feel queer for male players.
Same-sex characters holding hands

Content That Can Be Interpreted as Anti:

Blocking the option to wear the opposite gender's outfits
Preventing players from creating more androgynous characters
Over-emphasizing traditional gender roles in male-female partnerships
Using outdated stereotypes for comedic effect (Example: Mr. Moffat from the Grand Theft Auto series who acts based on outdated, flamboyant stereotypes of gay men, and has faced player criticism).

Note: When it comes to character creation, it is best practice to give the player as many options as possible and just let them decide who their character will be. Always pay attention to the regions where you will be launching your game.

USA/Canada

Same-sex marriage is legal nationwide in the United States, and hate crimes or discrimination based on sexual orientation are punishable by federal law. According to a 2021 Ipsos survey, over 11% of people in the United States identify as queer, and 57% of those surveyed know someone who is lesbian or gay. However, topics related to the LGBTQIA+ community remain polarizing in the United States due to politics, religion, and differences in state law, and queer content/ideology is often considered "liberal" or belonging to the Democratic Party and so can be interpreted as political.

In Canada, same-sex marriage is legal, and discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited by law. Canada has extensive legislation protecting the LGBTQIA+ community and is, on the whole, more open to it than the United States.

Japan

According to a 2020 survey by Diversity Lab, 8.9% of Japanese people belong to a sexual minority. However, other larger surveys of the Japanese population are less optimistic about LGBTQIA+ inclusion. On the whole, there is growing awareness about the queer community in Japan, with Pride celebrations and more, though these initiatives and legislation on LGBTQIA+ understanding are still in the early phases.

Members of the queer community still face discrimination at work and beyond, and same-sex marriage is not permitted — however, 10 municipalities in Japan permit same-sex partnerships, which, while not protected by law like marriage, is considered by advocates to be a step toward legalizing same-sex marriage.

Overall, Japan considers LGBTQIA+ issues somewhat controversial but is becoming more open to them. According to the Nippon Foundation's 2021 survey, 85.9% of respondents felt there were prejudices against members of the community — a high number, but down 10% from the previous survey in 2019.

Republic of Korea

Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in South Korea, and there is a lack of legal protection or recognition for same-sex couples. Although there has been a proposal for an Anti-Discrimination Act for the LGBTQIA+ community, it is not yet fully accepted socially. However, individuals have the option to undergo gender reassignment surgery after the age of 20 and are permitted to change their legal gender.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, discussions about LGBTQIA+ issues and content are considered very controversial because of conservative religious groups and cultural values. Traditionally, the country only recognizes binary gender roles (male and female), and same-sex marriage is not legal.

In December 2022, the Indonesian House of Representatives drafted a bill that would outlaw sex outside of marriage for heterosexual couples — but the Criminal Code has not penalized same-sex couples having consensual sex since 1993. However, in more religiously conservative areas, such as the Special Region of Aceh, LGBTQIA+ expressions are considered VERY taboo and are subject to sharia-based laws, which criminalize same-sex sexual activities.

Europe

The EU, on the whole, is quite open to members of the queer community with a wide range of legislation aimed at more rights and protections among EU Member States. In the UK, same-sex marriage is legal, and the country is on the whole considered pretty open to the queer community by international standards, however there have been growing reports of transphobia.

Attitudes and legislation across Europe do vary, however: While Malta has been rated the best country for LGBTQIA+ people for 8 years in a row, other European countries consider the topic more controversial, and legislation on same-sex marriage or same-sex couples adopting children varies per country, with Euronews reporting that Poland and Hungary do not offer as much legal protection as other neighboring countries.

Overall, the queer community is quite visible in Europe, but attitudes and legislation vary greatly.

Persian Gulf, Egypt, and Morocco

Due to the strong influence of religion, depictions of anything related to or promoting LGBTQIA+ culture, lifestyles, or relationships are considered VERY taboo and highly restricted in several regions, with some countries considering it illegal and punishable by law. As such, games marketed to these regions should not depict anything that could be interpreted as queer.

However, that being said, the Middle East is not a monolith, and there is a very wide range of attitudes and legislation toward LGBTQIA+ individuals. For instance, homosexuality is legal in Jordan and Bahrain, and in Israel, same-sex cohabitation is allowed. Be sure to reach out to linguists or people from the region you intend to launch your game if you're unsure!

Note: In some more religious regions, words related to sex are in general taboo, since sex between unmarried individuals is not permitted.

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