If you ask @Galegladioli, she will tell you that she was born to play video games — and since she’s been gaming since the tender age of 3, we’d have to agree! Her first games were on NES: Zelda, Mario, Kirby, Bubble Bobble, Battle Toads, and the like. Now, she streams Overwatch, Persona 5, and a few other random titles on PS4 as well as Nintendo Switch titles like Zelda, Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing, and New Horizons. The one thing that’s different about this BroadcastHER Grant winner is that she’s deaf — and she’s passionate about advocating for others like her in gaming.

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

I want to create a bridge between the able and disabled communities by providing them a language (American Sign Language) to use with proper knowledge.

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

It would help me achieve the status of being visible and accessible. The grant is going to upgrade my stream space and give me the ability to purchase a webcam (for streaming and ASL teaching).

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

Everything! It tells me that I am being acknowledged as a human being. It helps me to be able to reach and assist others. This alone is amazing.

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

We need to remove the gender stigma that envelops women in the broadcasting community, including competitive esports. We need to promote and uplift each other.

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

Often my deafness is viewed as a barrier because I don’t verbally communicate — my primary language is American Sign Language and I write/text in English. Not many know how to accommodate or secure the bridge I’ve created for communications and/or I get avoided at all costs due to ableism.

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

I have a few pieces of advice… Start now, if you haven’t! You don’t need the dream equipment to broadcast. You can start from a console or laptop. Do your research, reach out to the communities you like and want to stay in and network. Have, design, and instill firm boundaries. Be yourself. And, this is the most crucial part of all: Have fun!

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

Having support from my community of close friends and family members is always excellent and uplifting!