ESports giant FaZe Clan sent out an innocuous post on Twitter acknowledging Pride month, and team member FaZe Virus came out of the woodwork in a since-deleted tweet to let people know he is NOT with that gay stuff.
Wtf is this? pic.twitter.com/51BE2xiXIB
— Nat and 149 others (@Deestinyer) June 2, 2022
The statement stirred up immediate controversy, with some are voicing their support of the streamer. His fans cited both his Islamic faith and Saudi Arabian law as reasons he can’t support the queer community.
there’s a difference between accepting and supporting members of the LGBTQ community so why is FaZe Virus facing backlash when all he said was he doesn’t support them? that doesn’t mean he wants to kill them or something 💀
— ahmed (@ahmxd7x) June 2, 2022
People really are freaking out over FaZe Virus’s tweet about him not supporting the LGBTQ but he literally lives in Saudi Arabia where he can be imprisoned for supporting LGBTQ. He had to distance himself from FaZe Clan’s tweet. It literally had to be said.
— Jack Ling (@JackKuoLing) June 3, 2022
He is literally Muslim and stays in Saudi Arabia he could literally be killed tomorrow if he didn’t say that
— Fisayo (@Fisayo86001108) June 4, 2022
It’s unclear what law these people are referencing in their assumption that any vague ally-ship is illegal in Saudi Arabia, nor is it clear why the streamer needed to comment on the initial post at all. After all, it’s doubtful that anyone would target him for a tame statement released by this gaming organization with over a hundred partners.
Many voiced their displeasure with Virus’ statement, criticizing his justification of homophobia through religion as well as general toxicity within gaming spaces.
religion should not be a crutch for homophobia
faze virus should’ve kept his mouth shut
— Olive (Liberal Arts Era) 🏳️🌈 (@HotCrabSex) June 2, 2022
This Faze Virus shit has ruined my faith in humanity. Why do so many people think that just because someone is religious they are allowed to hate/discriminate against LGBTQ+ people? This kind of thing is exactly why we need Pride Month to those doubting it.
— Luke (@Lukeb925) June 4, 2022
Faze virus discourse being filled with blatant homophobia under the pretense of religious belief just goes to show how bad a majority of the gaming community can get
— dexxysaur (@usedboxcutter) June 2, 2022
just saying. Religion doesn’t make u a bad person. discriminating against a minority does. you’re a bad person not because of your Religion but because you choose to discriminate against people for the way they were born. hmmm
— Madboi™🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@nicklas__bund) June 3, 2022
Your religion can dictate how YOU live YOUR life. it shouldn’t be an excuse to be prejudice or bigoted towards homosexuality or other races
Just drop this FaZe Virus guy from FaZe already. it’s against his religion TO BE GAY. not to respect people who’s choices don’t effect him
— Lunezz / Hamish (@Lunezz1x) June 4, 2022
Ok I said this before on stream, but it’s disgusting when people hide behind their religion to justify their homophobic thoughts. Plus, there was 0 reason for Faze Virus to tweet this out. Putrid behavior pic.twitter.com/pjSuKaX4YC
— Mr. Spoonz (@SpoonzAlt) June 4, 2022
It should be noted that queer Muslim people who practice their faith along with their sexuality exist throughout the world, making the justification for FaZe Virus’ statement even that much thinner.
Neither Virus nor any official FaZe Clan channels have addressed his statement further at time of writing.
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PinkoOfTheGange
He doth protest too much.
Saudi subjects do not have to advocate against anything, their silence is enough. Unless the CPVPV is already looking his way.
Ryan99
Ok by me. Just like I don’t support Saudi Arabia or Islam.
monty clift
POS Muslim, like most of them.
jt1990
Exactly. So far, I’m rather impressed with the commentary on this article! Wasn’t expecting such realistic views here.
rvaL
Not out to defend this guy – I imagine his silence on the matter would have been sufficient to protect himself, but this article demonstrates a common misunderstanding of Saudi Law.
The Saudi constitution and a good chunk of the law is something to the effect “the koran, the practices and sayings of Muhammad, and it’s interpretation under sharia and islamic jurisprudence” – point is, most of it isn’t written or spelled out in legislation, is subject to the interpretation of the person enforcing it, and if you piss off anyone with power, you can find yourself in a world of hurt really fast.
johncp56
The religious excuses as I heard about the team members is some useless baseball team that most wore pride badges a handful refused by claiming Jesus in the religion does not approve, BS cowards ? religions over Humanity ??? really keep out of our humanity
Sqwoah
he capitalized LGBTQ, but he did not capitalize muslim. just an observation.