How to Take Down the Patriarchy With Lipstick and Video Games

By Vivian Kane | Videos | March 29, 2016 |

By Vivian Kane | Videos | March 29, 2016 |

Okay, file this under Coolest Thing I’ve Seen Today: Chloe Desmoineaux, a Twitch stream gamer, replaced her normal CounterStrike controller with one of her own making. She used a Makey Makey kit (marketed as “an invention kit for everyone”) to turn a tube of lipstick into a trigger for her in-game gun. So when she kills an enemy, you know she looks damn good doing it.

That video there (via Daily Dot) says that the idea—- titled Lipstrike— is meant to “bust gender stereotypes about war games and makeup.” It’s disgusting and sad that still, EVEN STILL, a crap-ton of people out there still insist on placing rules on what female gamers can and can’t do, or what they should be or how they should look. (And if you’re one of those people who still somehow doesn’t think this is an actual thing, or that it was and is done with, let me direct your attention as far back as all of two weeks ago to the Olivia Munn “appropriating nerd culture” nonsense.)

Women and girls who are passionate about all sorts of geeky activities and subjects still constantly have their interests tied to their looks. If they’re too attractive, they’re faking the interest for attention and sponsorship; if they’re not attractive enough (whatever the fuck that means), they’re deemed not worth paying attention to. And again, if you don’t believe me, just look at that video’s comments, or those on her YouTube page. But actually, really, don’t do that. Those comments are also full of people disparaging Desmoineaux for this idea not actually doing anything. Because just like the people who criticized those Texas students for battling an open carry law with sex toys because you know, “a dildo won’t stop a terrorist,” or anyone who laughed at those who wanted an Oscar boycott even though no, obviously that wouldn’t end the Oscars, these haters seem to be missing the crucial point here. Will this Twitch streamer’s lipstick controller end sexism in gaming? Is this ACTUALLY taking down the patriarchy? No, dummy, of course not. But more likely than not, it’s a cool thing that she wanted to do and probably makes her feel badass when she plays with it. And that’s enough, damn it.

You can see her past broadcasts as well as future streams here.