Talking Tech, Games, and Representation with AFrozenPeach.gay
Welcome to our latest #DotGayQAndA with Mattie Schraeder of AFrozenPeach.gay! When she’s not wearing her professional hat as a software developer, she’s often enjoying her passion for designing and playing board games. Mattie uses AFrozenPeach.gay as a portal for sharing her work with the world while proudly representing her identity. Check out the full #DotGayQAndA below to learn more!
Tell us about who you are and what you do!
I'm Mattie Schraeder, a transgender blogger, board game designer, and software engineer. My first board game, Heckin Hounds, is coming to Kickstarter soon. I also help run the board game convention, Geekway to the West. In my professional life I develop software in PHP, C#, and JavaScript, but dabble in any language I can find an excuse to use.
Why did you choose a .gay domain?
Representation matters, and what better way to represent my identity as a transgender lesbian than to have a .gay TLD? I love that I can have a domain that really speaks to who I am as a person, and can immediately show representation simply by using my email address and talking about my websites.
Why is it important to help create a safer internet for LGBTQ people?
The internet is a laser-focused microcosm of the world, and unfortunately there is still a lot of hate, prejudice, and violence against LGBTQ people in the world today. The internet's anonymous nature makes that hate so much easier to perpetuate, but it also allows for LGBTQ people to be out and explore their gender and sexuality without the risks associated with coming out in real life to their friends and family.
What are your thoughts about LGBTQ representation in the tech industry?
The tech industry has unfortunately become a largely cisgender, heterosexual, and masculine industry. I have been more fortunate than many in my career path in regards to being an openly transgender engineer, but I realize not everyone has the privilege to be out and open about their lives when it comes to work. Representation matters in the tech industry, because everyone should be able to work in their chosen field without feeling like they are being othered by their coworkers and employers.
It is important that LGBTQ people have the ability to be themselves and discuss their lives, without fear of repercussion, especially with more and more companies attempting to ban political speech and discussion in the workplace. As unfortunate as it is, simply being LGTBQ is enough to be a political statement.
Thank you Mattie for participating in our #DotGayQAndA! To learn more, visit AFrozenPeach.gay!
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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or access Free Chat Online. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 150 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices.
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