Being transgender, @DigitAlli has faced no shortage of challenges in the gaming space. But, regardless, she has pressed forward and has been streaming successfully for about three years. Through her Red Cow Creative Endeavors, she also creates additional content like podcasts and documentaries. But, at the end of the day, this BroadcastHER Grant winner is simply passionate about highlighting the good in what people can do — and loves to have a good time while she’s at it.

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

I want to use my platform to do something good for the world, build a tight-knit community, and bring something new, refreshing, and fun to the Internet.

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

The funds are going towards mainly studio lights, which will allow me to film whenever and wherever I want — plus, the ability to use them for other projects like documentaries, interviews, and the projects of my Red Cow Creative Endeavors brand. This allows me and my team to branch out into new forms of content. The goal is to make professional-looking content, so that we are a force to be reckoned with in the creative space.

What does being the recipient of the BroadcastHER Grant mean to you?

It’s nice to have someone believe in you and think that what you’re doing is something special enough to want to see you move forward. It feels like people want to see me thrive, and that’s a feeling that not a whole lot can replace. It’s spectacular.

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

We can start by dismantling games as a “boys club.” We need to educate men on how to treat their feminine peers and show that we are equals to them. We need to make it clear that not only do girls enjoy the same games that men do, we also have equivalent and sometimes greater skill. We need to make it clear that women who play games are more than elusive “gamer gfs” to be pined after; we are more than “titty streamers” who are “stealing views” from more “legitimate” streamers.

We are the victims. And, it starts with recognition by others in these problem groups that this isn’t right — they need to inform their peers and try to make it right. We can only do so much, and it is now up to others to change accordingly. The environment is hostile to girls of all stripes, so creating a less hostile environment is a great start.

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

Being transgender, I’ve had many other barriers put in my way. I’ve been harassed and my Discord has been overrun with all sorts of nasty types. I’ve had people “joke” with my chat about my body and whether or not I’m a girl, and it does make it hard to keep streaming. My mental health, due to the pandemic, has also been a challenge to keep intact enough to go live. There are times when it feels like people don’t want you to succeed because you’re a girl, or because you’re a lesbian, or transgender, and it’s just because they want to blame someone else for their problems.

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

Put yourself out there, one foot in front of the other. When people come for you, stand your ground. Do no harm, but take no crap from anyone. Keep making noise until someone pays you some mind, and don’t get discouraged at low numbers. The only way to get them up is to keep working at it and keep trying. Find something that makes you rad and use that to grab people’s attention.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

The people around me do a great deal of talking me up. Without them, I wouldn’t have the confidence to go live and make the things that I do.