Looking for a list of openly LGBTQ characters in gaming? Video games haven’t, to date, been the most inclusive of mediums, but there are a few out there that make a decent effort. Here are some notable characters.

  1. Bridget from Guilty Gear
  2. Poison from Street Fighter
  3. Joachim Valentine from Shadow Hearts: Covenant
  4. Jun Kurosu from Persona
  5. Kanji Tatsumi from Persona
  6. Naoto Shiragane from Persona
  7. Fang from Final Fantasy
  8. Vanille from Final Fantasy
Fang Vanille Final Fantasy LGBTQ

Fang and Vanille of Final Fantasy XIII fame: these two are fiercely protective of each other.

 

Most of these characters, notably, are from Japanese games. The major North American contributions to diversity in gaming are from Canadian company Bioware.  Mass Effect, Dragonage, and Star Wars: the Old Republic all feature several LGBTQ protagonists and/or characters (that is, if the player chooses to play them this way). Fable also allows players to choose their own sexuality.

Unfortunately gay characters in games aren’t always given the most equitable treatment, but perhaps this is a start.

Do you know of any other great LGBTQ-identifying characters? Tell us about them in the comments!

(Source: Pixelitis)


This article was written by

Keezy is a gamer, illustrator, and designer. Her background is in teaching and tutoring kids from ages 9 to 19, and she's led workshops for young women in STEM. She is also holds a certificate in teaching English. Her first memory of gaming is when her dad taught her to play the first Warcraft when she was five. You can find her at Key of Zee and on Twitter @KeezyBees.