Liquid to donate 50% of BLAST winnings to LGBTQ+ Charity

In an announcement today, Liquid publicly commented on its participation in events held in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, as well as membership in the Louvre Agreement with ESL, a company owned by Saudi Arabia's Savvy Gaming Group. This marks the first time that an organization of this level and this involvement in esports has commented on the sportswashing from certain Middle Eastern nations.

Many have criticized esports organizations as hypocritical for continuing to engage with companies owned by anti-LBTQ+ regimes while simultaneously promoting LGBTQ+ positive values.

In the announcement today, Liquid declared that they would be donating $22,500 USD (50%) of the organization's prize money from recent events held in Saudi Arabia and would be further donating funds equal to 50% of the organization's portion of the prize pool from the upcoming BLAST World Finals in Abu Dhabi.

The funds would be donated to Rainbow Railroad, a LGBTQ+ organization supporting individuals looking to escape persecution for their identity. Rainbow Railroad reports that they have been able to assist 3,100 LGBTQI+ individuals find safety through emergency relocation and other forms of assistance.

Throughout the announcement, Liquid acknowledged that their participation in certain events and with these governments "flies in the face of our own values", however the opportunities for their players are too great to pass up and a boycott could "end careers" and potentially "end our involvement in some esports entirely."

Liquid continued on to say that they would continue to work with ESL and the Louvre teams on a list of commitments which include safety guarantees for all players and staff, initiatives for the LGBTQ+ community and women, and protecting ESEA and FPL player data.

They would end the message with the hope that other organizations will follow suit as much as they are able and that the esports community continues to fight for a competitive scene that welcomes everyone.