For one who has been through it all, Blacklist International captain-support Jonmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna has some words of advice for his fellow members of the LGBTQ community especially those who are still learning the ropes in the growing esports and gaming industry.
"Sa sitwasyon ngayon, 'di mo na talaga maiiwasang 'di maka-experience ng ganun (discrimination) especially if part ka ng LGBTQ community so pakatatagan mo lang 'yung loob mo (In these times, you can't avoid experiencing discrimination especially if you're part of the LGBTQ community so you must stay strong)," said OhMyV33nus in the Blacklist Bulletin press conference after their 2-1 win over Execration on Friday night, April 30.
"Surround yourselves with nice people. Be the best example that you can be para mas ma-lessen pa 'yung ganyang klase ng discrimination sa community natin (so we can lessen that kind of discrimination in our community)," he added.
OhMyV33nus sent this powerful message after the gender discrimination issue in esports was raised due to a number of fans who hurled homophobic slurs at him following Blacklist's first defeat in the MPL Philippines Season 7 inflicted by Bren Esports last Thursday.
The two-time MPL runner-up and M1 World Championship participant bared that he was not initially affected by the negative comments and the resulting issue until some of the V33Wise (fandom of OhMyV33nus and longtime teammate Danerie James "Wise" Del Rosario) and Blacklist fans got into heated discussions in social media.
He has an advice for his supporters as well.
"Ang pinakamasasabi ko sa mga supporters ko at mga nagtatanggol sakin is kill them (toxic fans) with kindness. 'Pag may nabasa kayo, iwasan nyo na lang siguro mas mag-reply pa or patulan pa kasi mas lalo lang lalala 'pag pinatulan nyo pa. Pag may nakita kayong comment, i-heart nyo lang ng i-heart 'di ba (For my supporters, kill them with kindness. If you see a negative comment, just refrain from replying and give it with a heart reaction)."
Earlier, in a Facebook post, OhMyV33nus stressed that he will continue using his influence to raise awareness about gender discrimination.
"I will use any platforms that I can to spread awareness about how homophobic slurs affect a member of LGBTQ+ and how to turn that negativity into inspiration to keep moving forward. Let this be a 'healing galing' movement not only limited to the LGBTQ+ community, but also to everyone."
After Blacklist, Bren and several MPL personalities came in defense of OhMyV33nus, more stakeholders in the esports and gaming industry showed their support including Tier One Entertainment co-founder Alodia Gosiengfiao and streamer Elyson "GHOST WRECKER" Caranza, and V33nus' former team Onic PH.
Onic urged fellow MPL teams to block people making sexist and discriminatory remarks on streams and social media posts.