The esports world got a much needed infusion of heartfelt positivity last weekend thanks to its most high profile LGBTQ athlete, a slew of NetherRealm Studios games, a revolving door of LGBTQ creators and thousands of generous fans.
There was little doubt that champion fighting game player Dominique “SonicFox” McLean’s marathon charity stream would prove successful. But the event exceeded expectations across the board.
SonicFox kicked things off Friday night with the goal of raising $20,000 for The Trevor Project. Some 72 hours later, a worn yet exuberant SonicFox celebrated a donation total of just over $22,150 in the only way he could. He threw on his fursuit head and yelled “trans rights” as he flashed the same message written on his chest.
We did it everybody! Together, we raised 22,150$ for the Trevor Project in 72 Hours. This will be a very special moment in my life for years to come, and I hope to do things like this more often. Thank you all for this very magical moment. TRANS RIGHTS!!!! pic.twitter.com/IyBQeJRoej
— FOX | SonicFox (@SonicFox5000) August 26, 2019
The stream ended there, but the drive remained open for another 24 hours. A final tally of $22,251.83 made its way to The Trevor Project, and the LGBTQ youth non-profit responded with thanks and adulation.
“Thank you so much for supporting our life-saving work and being a role model for LGBTQ youth in the gaming community,” read the tweet from the organization’s Twitter account.
Thank you so much for supporting our life-saving work and being a role model for LGBTQ youth in the gaming community! ❤️💛💚💙💜
— The Trevor Project (@TrevorProject) August 26, 2019
The stream itself oozed enough LGBTQ inclusion to make it successful even if it hadn’t raised a single cent. SonicFox opened up about his own experience coming to terms with his own sexuality while welcoming a rotating roundtable of Twitch and YouTube heavy hitters, highlighted by prominent LGBTQ content creators Jim Sterling and CaseyExplosion.
The guests didn’t end there though. BAFTA-nominated video game composer Lena Raine, Steven Universe composers Aivi and Surasshu and Mortal Kombat co-creator and NetherRealm Studios head Ed Boon popped in to offer SonicFox support.
Boon even entertained SonicFox’s push to have his fursona appear in the Mortal Kombat franchise.
SonicFox even guested on another marathon charity stream held by Philosophy Tube creator Oliver Thorn, reading the part of Hector in Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida while playing Mortal Kombat on his own broadcast.
But the highlight came when SonicFox had to pay up on a promise he tied to the stream reaching its donation goal. When donations topped $20,000, he shaved his beloved mustache for the first time ever.
my baby is gone
— FOX | SonicFox (@SonicFox5000) August 26, 2019
BUT I LOOK KINDA CUTE LOWKEY pic.twitter.com/AGc7CylgoM
SonicFox couldn’t have asked for a better result. And he left the door open for more events like it to occur. “This will be a very special moment in my life for years to come, and I hope to do things like this more often. Thank you all for this very magical moment.”