writer @falseswipeg・host @analogcast・bylines @ESPN_Esports @htcgaming @washingtonpost・I talk to people who play games for a living for a living・he/him 
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I've been thinking about what to say for an hour now. we have to accept two true things here: Sleepy was known as being one of the kindest and most helpful leaders for promoting queer voices in smash. Sleepy also groomed and abused a minor, using that status in the process.
these two things are both true. sleepy did an unforgivable and reprehensible thing to clem, and should not be allowed in any communal spaces. period. the uncomfortable truth is that sleepy was also seen as a benevolent figure for multiple queer smashers in our community.
what we have to reckon with is that sleepy's position was instrumental in his abuse. we have to remember that this sort of thing can come from anyone, that power and stature can be abused no matter their type, and the sexual misconduct in our community can be found anywhere.
so where's that leave us? how do we do better? take it upon yourself to work - actively - to provide safe spaces for queer smashers, considering they're often even more at risk. if you're not queer, promote other queer efforts. be the person that clem should have had support her
this abuse isn't limited to the shitty misogynists and bros you might expect it from. only by creating the places where people can live and play smash without fearing for their safety do we work to eliminate the possibility of predators using that promise to their advantage.
lastly, I wanna say that clem is so incredibly brave for coming forward. she is exactly the sort of young person we should want in our community, and it breaks my heart that she was let down and abused by someone who should have protected her.
Thank you for this thread, this is as close to the feelings in my head as anything else I've seen.
Co-signed
It's a shame these things are only caught after the fact. IDK how, but we need to catch these people before it happens. Maybe have staff who can patrol the venue and a private tent to talk to someone to help get authorities involved? IDK, just ideas.
Oh, but I guess the problem is that he WAS staff, idk. Got a bit off topic I guess.
this was a really good post. thank you for this
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