When we started Refinery29 Twitch almost a year ago, we knew we wanted to use it not only to provide a fun, safe space for women and non-binary folks to share in their love of gaming, but also to spotlight the pros, gamers, and streamers who are pushing the status quo in the industry both online and IRL. But with a vast world of content creators competing for attention on Twitch alone, finding streamers who you love can be a challenge.
Enter Tuesday Takeovers, where we invite some of our fave under-the-radar streamers onto our channel to do what they do best: game. Think of it as the Discover Weekly of Twitch where you’ll have two hours of guaranteed entertainment weekly, while also discovering talented streamers who are more than worthy of you clicking the follow or subscribe button. Ahead, read on to meet the Twitch streamers who are all about inclusivity, connecting with others, and having fun.
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Kaelena is an award-winning streamer (she won top charity streamer at the 2021 the*gameHERs Awards) who truly uses her channel for good. While focusing on gaming (titles include Palia, Minecraft, and Animal Crossing) and crafting with cozy vibes, Kaelena encourages open and candid conversations about any issue that is important to her community while also trying to inspire viewers to be their most authentic selves. And while doing all that, she also raises money for a variety of charities — she’s raised over $50,000 since 2020.
When Eyesonbee first began streaming on Twitch eight years ago, she started by beating every Final Fantasy game in a row. A long-time lover of RPGs (especially retro titles) and lore, it’s been more challenging to find time for gaming now that she’s a parent. That’s what she now uses her channel for: reconnecting with that passion and finding others who also care about storytelling in their chosen games. Plus, it’s a pretty good way for her to work through the backlog of games that have built up as she takes care of her family and other adult responsibilities.
HeyKipp is a genderfluid content creator who loves comedy, so you can expect them to bring their goofy, silly energy to their livestreams too. Currently, they’re working on their first playthrough of Elden Ring, but they’ve tried everything from Stardew Valley to Among Us and The Last of Us. Other than gaming, you can find HeyKipp talking about upcoming sketch comedy projects, gender exploration, chronic illness, the art of clowning, baseball, and learning languages (particularly Polish and Spanish).
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Like many of our previous takeover streamers, Lolobean likes to encourage cozy, welcoming vibes on her channel. A variety streamer who lives in Hawaii, she’s mainly focused on RPG games available on PC, Switch, and PS5 — but she’ll occasionally host fun craft streams too, so come ready to get your creativity flowing.
A video editor and Capcom Creator (a community dedicated to Capcom games like Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter), TiffanyLockheart says she’s “addicted to” MMOs. As a public-facing gamer, she’s noticed how women still face a lot of stigma and unfair backlash on the scene. It can often feel like women constantly have to prove themselves in the gaming world — something she (or anyone) shouldn’t have to do, but more than accomplishes on her channel.
Craving cozy, comforting vibes for fall? Check out Jupiverse’s channel — she’s all about cozy indie games and whimsical storytelling. As a bisexual Latina actress, she’s made it her mission to use her streams to fuse her love of gaming with theater and voice acting, while also using her platform for LGBTQIA+ activism. Over the years, she’s even helped raise over $15,000 for organizations like the Trans Empowerment Project and more.
Evolcigam — or “magic love” backwards — is the first to admit she’s not the greatest at video games, but that doesn’t stop her from loving them. So she opts for playing easy mode on a variety of games on her channel, including The Sims, BioShock, and Borderlands. As a bi, neurodivergent Latina and high-energy variety streamer, she’s passionate about highlighting inclusivity, intersectionality in gaming and improved representation. When she isn’t live, you’ll find her working on her novella, enjoying table-top role-playing games, and fostering kittens.
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Willow is “trans, queer, and happy that you’re here,” as she shares in her bio. She first started gaming on a Nintendo Entertainment System with games like Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt, and now honors her origins by playing retro games during her streams while answering viewer questions about gender, sexuality, transitioning and more. She’s also an aspiring voice actress, and uses her channel to talk about her vocal work journey as well.
Follow the rest of our Tuesday Takeover guest streamers:
Vana | PlayWithMae | ohinova | QueenTenae | KokoNata | OMJess | Knimbley | LenaLioness | thegeminibean | Jerbifer | Mikfoolery | SherrySnax | ChelseaBytes | itsHilaryMason | MeliaJanae | Ghostbunbun | Versachiko | egg_babe | Crossing_Chronicles | Achauie | AmiSometimes | Charmelian | AshSaidHi
Vana | PlayWithMae | ohinova | QueenTenae | KokoNata | OMJess | Knimbley | LenaLioness | thegeminibean | Jerbifer | Mikfoolery | SherrySnax | ChelseaBytes | itsHilaryMason | MeliaJanae | Ghostbunbun | Versachiko | egg_babe | Crossing_Chronicles | Achauie | AmiSometimes | Charmelian | AshSaidHi
Interested in taking over our Twitch channel? Apply on our Discord!