Games Done Quick, better known as GDQ, has canceled its 2023 live event that was going to take place in Florida — citing the state’s policies on COVID-19 and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Every year, GDQ organizes two massive video game charity speedrunning events – Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) in the summer and Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ). The organization has raised more than $40 million for various charities, most notably Doctors Without Borders – an international nonprofit organization that aids humanitarian efforts in countries afflicted by war and endemic crises.
Usually, AGDQ takes place every January with a massive in-person event. The 2023 show was supposed to happen in Florida, but it’ll be strictly online.
“While we would love to return in-person, we’ve determined that to provide a safe and welcoming event to all, it was best that we move away from our originally planned location in Florida,” GDQ said on Twitter. “Given the state’s continued disregard for COVID-19’s dangers (including anti-mandate policies) and an increased aggression towards LGBTQ+ individuals, including the law colloquially known as ‘Don’t Say Gay,’ we do not believe it is a safe place for our community.”
GDQ explained that the Florida venue was chosen back in 2020 and that relocating to another in-person location would be too costly.
“While the move to online will allow us to save some on expenses, we still have considerable costs to recover,” GDQ continues on Twitter. “We are looking to recover it wherever possible, including community support via Twitch subs.”
AGDQ 2023 is taking place from Jan. 8 to Jan. 15, 2022, and will be streamed on Twitch and YouTube.
Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.
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