Twitch Draws Ire, Facepalms For LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter Ad Fails

(Twitch)

Twitch has had a terrible week in terms of releasing ads meant to show support to marginalized groups.

On Sunday, Twitch released and swiftly deleted an ad attempting to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride which featured the line "When the G in LGBTQIA+ also stands for 'gamer.'"

The video was swiftly met with criticism from those who felt the message was insensitive to members of the LGBTQ+ community. In response, Twitch removed the video and reuploaded an edited version without the offending portion.

No matter the month, always remember to #StreamWithPride. pic.twitter.com/ojOQUIMFgq

— Twitch (@Twitch) July 5, 2020

The story was mostly a non-issue until it was picked up by PinkNews on Wednesday. However, users hardly had time to joke about the line before Twitch released another ad, this time in support of Black Lives Matter, that had hardly any actual black people in it.

This created a much bigger splash of ire as creators from across the platform seemed shocked at how badly Twitch appeared to miss the point of the movement.

Twitch's idea of supporting black lives and highlighting black streamers is to make a video with lots of white people https://t.co/R6oSfue1nX

— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) July 9, 2020

I’ma be deadass.I KNOW you fuckin lyin’ Twitch</a>.<br><br>Don’t get me wrong. Thank you to the white folk who stepped up to help.<br><br>But where is <a href="https://twitter.com/cypheroftyr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">cypheroftyr? Where is pleasantlytwstd</a>? Where is <a href="https://twitter.com/urbanbohemian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">urbanbohemian? WHERE AM I?We ALL have raised funds… but yay white people doing it? 🤔 https://t.co/Tu3eE7C6Y6

— CRITICAL BARD. ✊🏾🎶 (@CriticalBard) July 9, 2020

This is aggravating.You can't say 'support black lives' then put two black people in there, and purposely overshadow them with white creators that (are obviously) going to bring in millions.Let me explain real fast. https://t.co/3xp7o4O33V

— Aunt PT, 33 & BLACK YEAR ROUND 🏳️‍🌈 (@pleasantlytwstd) July 9, 2020

Twitch posted an apology for the video, saying "Our goal was to demonstrate the importance of allyship – a message we didn’t make clear."

We hear you. Our goal was to demonstrate the importance of allyship – a message we didn’t make clear. Only by working together can we create a positive change.

— Twitch (@Twitch) July 9, 2020