Hyde

I will create content on the Esports World Cup in Riyadh (Midseason Championship) if the safety of all potential players and staff can be guaranteed. That's a promise. My primary concern is the safety of LGBTQ players, who may be at risk while attending an event in Saudi Arabia. I ask that both Blizzard, and the Esports World Cup Foundation work towards a solution to ensure that the EWC can act as a safe international LAN location for all competitors. At the moment, the safety of LGBTQ travelers in Saudi Arabia is not guaranteed. The safety and inclusion of EWC competitors is also not yet guaranteed. Competitors may travel outside of the venue to eat and sleep, which presents additional risk. Transgender competitors are at the highest risk. Crossdressing is prohibited in Saudi Arabia, and transgender identity isn't recognized. Transgender people are essentially considered crossdressers in Saudi Arabia. Transgender players, in many cases, can't realistically "hide" their trans-ness, and forcing transgender players to 'revert' their gender for the duration of a tournament is disrespectful, and dehumanizing. Forcing a gender 'revert' may also be impossible, due to bodily changes that can occur from HRT, or that have been brought about through surgery. Many transgender competitors also lack legal identification that matches their gender. In some countries such as the United States, changing the gender marker on a passport is impossible. This results in additional risk to transgender players traveling to Saudi Arabia for the EWC. Trans players in the EWC should be - Identified by the requested pronouns on broadcast - Allowed to access facilities such as bathrooms without worry. If absolutely necessary transgender players could just use a separate, private bathroom on-site. - Permitted to present as their identified gender. Competitors should dress conservatively and properly, as to be respectful to the culture of Saudi Arabia. - Provided safe locations to eat and sleep. Traveling through Riyadh could present risks, so proper safety measures should be implemented. Staff/Security escorts may be necessary. And for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer competitors...safety should be guaranteed. Nobody is having sex at EWC anyways (let's be real)....so there really shouldn't be issues with people of other sexualities. Either way, they should be guaranteed safety, as traveling to Saudi Arabia is still nerve-wracking. LGBTQ people deserve a chance at Esports, and most just want to compete without placing themselves at risk. Offering all LGBQ people the same protections that trans players might need such as escorts/security would be an effective way to maintain a sense of safety. I think it's important to acknowledge that the United States is also currently in a position where people of color may be at risk traveling to the country, as well as LGBTQ people. I have very similar concerns regarding the US, and I believe that Canada is currently the best possible location for a North American event. Random ICE detentions are on the rise and there is currently a policy in place where visas can be denied solely because the person who applied is transgender. Everyone should be able to compete in Esports, so we should be vigilant about choosing safe and inclusive locations. I urge Blizzard to consider choosing Canada over the United States if a LAN will be held in North America next season. There are admittedly concerns regarding sportswashing efforts by the Saudi government, but that is much less important than the overall safety of all competitors. The EWC is likely to continue in future years, potentially remaining within the OWCS circuit, so I urge for an effective and swift compromise that allows everyone to compete safely in the future. - Ari