Lilian Chen: Sexism in gaming

Full Frame

Lilian ChenRetired gamer Lilian Chen takes on gamer harassment using empathy.

Retired gamer Lilian Chen, also known as the nickname “Milktea” in the gaming world, started playing Super Smash Brothers Melee when she was just a kid. She liked it so much she decided to start competing. While just 17 years old, she became one of the few females traveling to competitions and conventions. Lilian Chen not only liked the competition, she liked the community, too.

Participating in competitive gaming provided Lilian with a whole new world—one she embraced and appreciates to this day.

“I just came back from a tournament in Vegas and there are so many women contributing to the community now,” explains Lilian. “The gender ratio is still skewed, but, it’s getting better by the day.”

Lilian Chen: Sexism in gaming

Retired Gamer Lilian Chen discusses taking on the problem of sexism in gaming with empathy.


Still, she hasn’t been immune to the ugly side of the gaming world. She was disturbed by the online scrutiny and gender disparities. As much as she loved her community, she couldn’t let the darker sides go unnoticed.

“As I got older, and I watched the comments and their undertones change, I started to realize that they weren’t always coming from a good place,” says Lilian. “And that’s how I became very aware of what was really happening.”

Although more than 50% of electronic gamers are women, they can still be treated as a minority and they face harassment. Lilian took on the problem head on with empathy.

Lilian Chen joined Mike Walter in our New York studio to explain why she decided to take a stand.