NickMercs Gets His First Ban on Twitch After Transphobic Slur
19 July 2024
Kaleb Vanderhorst Author Popular streamer NickMercs was banned from Twitch on June 28, 2024, following his use of the word “tranny” to describe a transgender individual. NickMercs has been somewhat vocal about his view of the LGBT community throughout his career, but this is the first ban for his words.
At the time of the 7-day suspension, a huge portion of his fanbase didn’t really understand the reason for the ban. And even once the reasoning came out, his fans didn’t agree with the verdict, to put it lightly.
However, even after his suspension from Twitch, NickMercs has had little to no remorse, doubling down on his views and laughing/smiling while speaking about the ban.
He even said on X, “Banned for using the word “Tranny” on Twitch. Apparently that’s a derogatory term. That’s on me. Next time I’ll use mental health disorder,” when referring to his use of the word.
NickMercs’ post on X after his Twitch ban (source @NICKMERCS)
He also stated, “We weren’t saying very many positive things about said community during that stream, so you can argue that it’s neither here nor there” in reference to his ban.
Nonetheless, NickMercs seems to have accepted that he broke a Twitch rule and that the ban is fair, but that doesn’t mean he plans to change his stance on the matter.
Luckily for NickMercs, he has been able to create a community unique to him, and due to that, many of his viewers share his beliefs. This is nothing but a hiccup for him, while other streamers could have been potentially cancelled completely.
Streamer Culture and the LGBT Community
While streamers like NickMercs, Sneako, and others have been the face of this growing backlash against the LGBT community in streaming, there are still many fans on Twitch from the community.
The streaming world has long had an interesting relationship with the queer community, especially with younger queer kids interacting heavily with Minecraft streamers. Just take a look at the viewer base for somebody like TommyInnit or WilburSoot versus NickMercs.
Wilbursoot was completely cancelled for allegations much lighter than NickerMercs statements, but due to the difference in the fanbase, one fell off, and one didn’t feel it.
That leaves an important question: is streaming as a whole a “safe space” for the LGBT community as it has been for years, or has the rise of the right on the internet taken over the space?
From this interaction with NickMercs, it really seems as though the political stance of the community has shifted. And while Twitch will always maintain a high degree of censorship against hateful speech, Kick.com doesn’t have those standards.
In the near future, there is a good chance the divide between the more “politically correct” streamers staying on Twitch and those who feel strongly enough to speak out gravitating towards Kick.com.
Young men, in particular, have been very vocal about their views on the internet, so they may very well specifically choose streamers who are ‘against” the progressive status quo.
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