This month has been a whirlwind of emotions for me. After spending nine months on HRT and coming out, I have made it to the end to my first Pride Month that I can say I truly felt to be a part of as someone who is transgender. Not only was it a time where I could celebrate my existence, but opportunities were presented to me to help elevate others. So, this personal blog is a look back at this year’s Pride month, and why it matters to me.
Overwatch 2 and Pride
In 2023, Overwatch 2 made the first step to make celebrating pride a part of that game’s identity and culture, and it was welcomed with open arms by millions of you. Back then I was supporting where I could but felt like an ally even though deep inside, I knew I was transgender. Back then I was not out publicly, and only had the support of my team members who I shared my secret with. This year, I had the honor of playing a direct role in supporting Pride for our Overwatch 2 community. There were a lot of things I wanted to do, but I am very happy with what we came up with as a team. Like I am still blown away that Calling All Heroes peaked at 60,000 viewers.
I was happy that I could bring back Battle.net launcher and in-game feature placements. It was huge for so many of our creators. I also was able to do special blogs with a few of them as well. All of them were able to really show the world of why they matter as Overwatch 2 players and being queer. I remember seeing one of our creator’s crying tears of joy knowing that we picked her to be part of this celebration, and how Ceebee showed off her Pride Pins on Calling All Heroes. I also loved Grandma’s blog for calling out that Overwatch is a world where we can look forward to where being queer is a part of life and not having to fight for it. I really hope everyone takes time to read it. Finally, just being part of the Blizzard family and celebrating Pride together was something I never really experienced before, and it was amazing. Seeing all the positivity each of them received from all of our fans was also really special, but more importantly, I think it helped normalize what Pride means to the game all year round. Overwatch 2 is about a world with a better future, and I think that better future gets closer everyday.
Celebrating My Pride
This month has also been way more special and emotional for me that I originally planned. I learned my legal name change was approved. And after a return visit to the Orange County Superior Courthouse in Santa Ana, I am now officially Kaedi Alexandra Peacecraft. Honestly, I was so scared it would not pan out for some reason. Looking back at nearly a year ago, I was in a really dark place in my life to where I kinda didn’t want to care about anything anymore. It was affecting everything around me, my work, my ambition for games, my soul. If it was not for my co-workers and friends who stood up for me when I made some really stupid mistakes in my life and my career, I would probably be in a worse spot of my life. Today, I am just happy to re-earn the trust of the community and my friends around me.
I am now legally Kaedi Alexandra Peacecraft! 🏳️⚧️
— Kaedi (@KaediPlays) June 20, 2024
(Updated tweet as I uploaded the raw photo instead of the one blurring my court order... lol) pic.twitter.com/WS9fLKRS8q
Now with my court order, and now well underway to get my documents updated. I am discovering that this is a journey that is best taken with friends (and with plenty of sunscreen and water). There is still a lot of work to do, but I no longer feel like I am living a lie, and that’s important to me. So many of you have come to congratulate me on this major milestone, and I am still overwhelmed by all of the support. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
On the flip side there is a part of me that is a little somber, because I did have to close out the last chapter of my old life, which was saying goodbye to a family that never really accepted me. They recently texted me, and I made the decision to be upfront and honest to them one final time. I tried coming up to them before, but they shunned and threatened me which forced me to endure so-called “conversion therapy” and severe intimidation. I couldn’t find the courage to be myself for years, and being kept from good education and overall support, nearly drove me to the point of even considering suicide.
Everyone... Everyone I know... Everyone I work with... Everyone I see on Socials... Every content creator. Every team member. Every friend. Everyone has given me their support. 🏳️⚧️
— Kaedi (@KaediPlays) June 25, 2024
...
...
...
Except my parents. 💀
It took a few years, but I took control of my life, I got my degree in graphic design, built a career around social and community management, and thanks to Blizzard gave me an opportunity to move to California where I can live my own life. A year has passed and I came out to my parents for the last time, and sure enough, they will not have anything to do with me. I am expelled from my family and I am pretty sure I am taken out of their wills. They even insulted me, imitating my own words in the letter I sent them. That hurt, more than just being told to stay away. Truth be told, it was the hardest step that I had to take, but I am fine now. Today, I consider everyone who supports me as family, and yes that includes you.
I am so glad I did it, and I am now happy in my own body. I am Kaedi Alexandra Peacecraft.
What Pride Means to Me and What’s Next
It’s important to remember that Pride is not just a month-long celebration, it’s a month spent to remind people that we have a right exist as human beings. The future is uncertain for me and any other person who considers themselves to be transgender, and I don’t know exactly what will happen in the months and years to come. All I can ask that is if I have your support, please me and anyone else who is LGBTQ+ in mind in everything you do.
Pride is not about painting the town in rainbows for the heck of it (though let’s be real, the world could use more color). It’s okay to not understand someone’s gender or sexual preferences, or who they look like. What is important is to not hate others for who they are. When I was a kid, I remember seeing prejudice from family members and was confused about why they say we should be kind and loving to one another, that they could result to hate others so easily. It’s hypocritical and I realized then that I could not live lying to myself anymore. I choose to love.
So what’s next? Well, over the next few of months, I am getting my birth certificate and passport updated (just in case the worst should happen later this year). Now, that my identity is unquestioned, I can pay attention to my body and taking on the final steps of pursuing my gender affirmation. Needless to say this is the most time-consuming and expensive part of my journey.
If you want to contribute, you can chip into my Gender Affirmation Surgery fund here. Even if you just want to support me indirectly, go and play Overwatch 2, which is the game I work on as a community developer. Finally, just stand up and say you stand with the LGBTQ+ community. Don’t let the end of June, be the end of your support. Let’s make the world a better place for everyone together. Thank you, from the bottom my heart, for not only making my Pride Month special, but supporting everyone for what Pride stands for.
Happy Pride, all year round, and just be you.
Note, for years now I no longer consider myself suicidal and have sought out needed psychological therapy and support. If you or anyone you know is at risk, please immediately call any of these free resources:
