Get Proud with WIGI

In celebration of Pride Month, WIGI's Annual Get Proud campaign is an initiative that runs from June 1st through June 30th each year. The campaign focuses on creating resources for the LGBTQIA+ community, amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices, raising awareness, and driving change to ensure that every individual feels included, seen, and represented in the global games industry.

In 2022, WIGI ran over ninety (90) programs, workshops, panels, and initiatives for a global community of over thirty-eight thousand (38,000) games industry professionals. For programs with limited space, preference is given to marginalized groups, including women*, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC individuals. These are the only programs we ask applicants to identify within these categories so preference may be granted. We are proud to say that in 2022 a total of 70% of applicants identified as LGBTQ+, while 100% of the remaining applicants identified as an ally.

WIGI's global LGBTQIA+ community is seeking additional support when it comes to navigating a games industry career. As strong believers in the concept that it's hard to be what you can't see, WIGI is raising funds to develop and run a workshop built designed to support individuals in their efforts to advance their careers in the global games industry with actionable resources, showcasing LGBTQIA+ individuals from across the video game, esports, and tabletop industries, and creating authentic conversations surrounding what it means to be LGBTQIA+ in the global games industry.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

WIGI champions a safe, inclusive, and diverse workforce in the video game, tabletop, and esports industries. According to the IGDA's 2021 LGBTQA2+ Diversity Report, which examined survey responses from 803 total individuals from February to April 2021, "... a substantial proportion of sexual minorities (87%) and transgender and non-binary respondents (88% each) indicated they do not feel there is equal treatment and opportunity for all in the game industry. This is further compounded by the fact that LGBTQA2+ developers are disproportionately represented in lower income brackets and are less likely to feel their compensation is fair considering their roles and responsibilities in game development."

WIGI is raising $5K to run a free-to-access Navigating a Gaming Career as an LGBTQIA+ Professional workshop, which was designed to support individuals in their efforts to advance their careers in the global games industry. The workshop will be run virtually to reach as many community members as possible and will include panels, AMA's, and presentations from LGBTQIA+ games industry experts from around the world. The workshop will also include ongoing support and community building via a private Discord server, and group networking and mentorship for the full cohort. 

WIGI relies on generous donations from individuals like you to provide transformative networking experiences, educational programs, and access to continuing career growth opportunities in the global gaming market for all, with no exceptions. Your ongoing support is vital to providing these meaningful experiences in order to improve the overall inclusion and diversity in the global games industry.

Help WIGI champion change by donating today!