The American “MagickMoonshot” has been streaming on Twitch since 2016 and has been a caster for the shooter Halo since 2018. On Discord, she organizes training matches for women. She has now faced heavy criticism for her decision to exclude trans women.
What event is it about? The Halo caster and Twitch streamer MagickMoonshot planned to host training matches, also known as scrims, via her Discord server. These matches are only for women.
After the offer spread on X, formerly known as Twitter, she felt compelled to clarify: Trans women are not included.
For this announcement, MagickMoonshot is now under criticism.
Halo developers and the US military intervene
What did the caster say? In a post from September 13, MagickMoonshot wrote: “I love and appreciate all people, and as a Christian, I believe that God created people in His image (Genesis 5:1-2).”
For this reason, transgender people are not allowed to the “Ladies’ Scrims”.
The post went viral with 4.2 million views – a multiple of what MagickMoonshot usually achieves. While some praised the caster for her decision, criticism mainly poured in from the Halo community.
Many are upset that MagickMoonshot is using her religion to exclude trans women from participation. Zach Lange of NRG Esports also quotes a Bible verse and writes: “Do not use the Lord to justify your lack of acceptance and compassion.” (via X)
Even Halo developer 343 Industries intervened in the form of Senior Community Manager John Junyszek. He writes that the best way to show that they love and appreciate everyone is to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible (via X).
Even the esports division of the US military commented on the situation and said in a statement on X/Twitter: “Halo is for everyone.”
Partners separate from caster
What are the consequences of the post? As a result of her announcement, several partners seem to have distanced themselves from MagickMoonshot. The esports organization Team Status Quo, for which the caster worked as a community manager, distanced itself on X/Twitter from her statements: “sQ supports all, plain and simple.”
Gamer Advantage, a glasses shop, announced on X/Twitter that they are ending their partnership with MagickMoonshot. The partnership director stated that values that promote hate go against their core beliefs and do not represent the values of Gamer Advantage.
Caster insists on her decision in a statement
How does the caster respond? MagickMoonshot published a detailed statement on September 15 on X/Twitter, reiterating that she loves all people. She has no problem interacting with transgender individuals and has also worked at events that have been open to everyone in the past.
For her personal Discord, however, the caster must stay true to what she believes is right: And that is, not giving the Discord tag “Lady Spartan” to anyone who is not a biological woman.
MagickMoonshot does not know how it will go on. Should she have to withdraw from the gaming industry, she is willing to do so, says the caster.
