The charity speed-running marathon company Games Done Quick announced on Wednesday that the Awesome Games Done Quick 2023 will be held online-only from January 8–15, 2023, due to Florida’s COVID-19 policy and “increasing violence” toward LGBTQ people as reasons.
“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,” says GDQ via its website and Twitter account.
“Given the state’s continued disregard for COVID-19’s dangers (including anti-mandate vaccination 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 at this time.”
This decision by GDQ comes after Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed the mentioned bill that prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten to third grade. The bill became effective on July 1st.
The event organizers had already secured a contract for a venue in the Sunshine State right after the 2020 event for AGDQ 2021. The 2021 event was eventually postponed due to COVID-19. However, plans to relocate weren’t successful.
“We’ve explored multiple options which would allow us to remain in-person by relocating to a safer location. Unfortunately, the cost required to cancel our contract is too great to justify relocating AGDQ while paying the cancellation fee, and we are no longer able to delay our contract. This ultimately led us to move AGDQ 2023 online.”
With the decision to make the event online, GDQ will have lots of expenses to make up for. “We are looking to recover that money where possible, including with community support via Twitch subs.”
[Sources]: @GamesDoneQuick: It’s official! #AGDQ2023 will be taking place online January 8th-15th! – [Archive]. GamesDoneQuick.com: Home Page – [Archive].
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