Nonbinary, ADHD girl gamer and full-time streamer @chonkikage also works as a freelance graphic designer. The BroadcastHER Grant recipient is passionate about fostering an inclusive, supportive, community on Twitch.

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

I would love to be able to support myself through content creation and digital activism. Being able to have a career that can support my needs as a chronically ill and disabled person is a dream come true. My *ultimate* dream is to one day have a Fortnite skin based on me (kind of kidding, but also very serious!).

How will your award from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals?

The grant will help me invest in the technology I need to level up my stream. I’m a variety streamer who does chatting and games, but I also stream ASMR. I’m excited to be able to afford to upgrade my mic setup, so I can provide higher-quality content!

What does being a recipient mean to you?

It is an absolute honor. When I saw my name among all the other content creators who I admire and love, I felt so incredibly happy and shocked. Receiving the grant feels so validating for everything that I’ve worked toward in content creation.

Women are underrepresented in gaming, broadcasting, and e-sports. What can we do to change this?

Keep fighting for change within the culture. Boost fem creators on social media platforms and actively support them if they are content creators. If you’re a cis-man, and you hear misogynistic comments, call them out. Don’t stay silent and complicit. I hope that we can change the culture of gaming for the better!

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

There is so much toxicity in online gaming; I’ve pretty much had to avoid games that require voice comms for fear of verbal abuse and harassment. While live-streaming, I’ve had to deal with trolls who sexually harass me or who are just downright rude and insulting, often commenting on how I look.

On the flip side — as a viewer — sometimes I will enter a stream and find that the community cultivated there is very clearly not welcoming towards women or other marginalized groups, and it’s extremely discouraging to see those channels being allowed to thrive.

What advice do you have for women who want to start broadcasting?

Absolutely go for it. If you have any interest, just do it. I recommend hiding your real name, even if you just use your first name, for privacy. If you don’t feel comfortable with a cam on, that’s okay! Make sure you have someone you trust, like a close friend or family member, to moderate your chat early on so you don’t have to go up against trolls alone (if they appear). And my favorite tip of all time: Ban them. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable at all, ban them and don’t look back.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

I am so enamored with streaming that my passion is really what keeps me going. I try to be patient with myself, as well, since I’m tackling health issues that sometimes prevent me from performing at 100%. I always tell myself that as long as I am having fun, it is worth it. And my community has been so supportive and understanding that, every single second I’m streaming, I’m having a great time.