Thread by @btflglitch

Ok, let’s share some thoughts about this month’s #monsterpromchallenge

When choosing “genderswap” we guessed we were probably upsetting some ppl.

@monsterprom is fully aware of the complexity and nuances of gender as a construct. It directly comments on it more than once (...)

Gender stereotypes & identity are key topics we try to explore continually as it we think it’s not only important but relevant to us.

When it comes to orientation we present the game as post-gender, which in itself has led us into more than one long conversation with fans (...)

As a quick example, we tackle drag not only as gender performance; but as an active deconstruction of gender, which is explored not accidentally by the character most affected by the stereotypes of toxic masculinity.

(...)

Yes, for the sake of using easily recognizable tropes, we follow some classic pop culture gender stereotypes (male joke, male bad boy, female spoiled princess, etc). These are choices that were thoughtfully taken.

(...)

In general, with our flaws, we can at least say we’re not oblivious to various issues and nuances regarding gender and identity.

So we believe our fandom can look past these issues and take the genderswap thing as what it is: a light theme for an art challenge (...)

After months caring for our fandom, we know it is comprised mostly by sensitive people that can take into a challenge like this without losing awareness and sensitivity towards various issues.

(...)

Yeah, historically genderswap has been dangerous as it ignores that gender is more complex and personal than a binary thing. It is dangerous because it tends to lead people to perpetuate simplistic stereotypes

But we for once trust our fandom is sensitive to those nuances (...)

We even believe the challenge itself can be the opportunity for some fans to translate our characters (basically identified in binary terms) into other potential places beyond a binary approach. That, of course, is up to the fans.

(...)

As said, we knew it was a tricky theme to pick. We trust our fans and believe it is clear @monsterprom convey a message of acceptance and that (through humor) it invites to explore new ideas in various topics, including gender and identity.

(...)

It has been kind of a bold move, but boldness defines us. We think it can be done right, through the lense of a piece of fiction that acknowledges the nuances beyond the stereotypes.

We might be wrong, but, as for now, we believe this. We hope people understand.

Of course you could disagree, and we’d love to hear your opinions. We’re on our Discord channel, happy to discuss and expand our worldview, as we’re always eager to learn from our fans’ experience:

discord.gg/tN3yfh