Twitch Unity day aims to promote diversity, inclusivity

Twitch has declared a site-wide holiday that will see the company, streamers and their communities exploring the need for diversity.

May 26th will be TwitchUnity Day, a 24-hour period in which the platform is encouraging its users to dedicate streams to the topic of inclusivity. Streamers are encouraged to plan shows, events and broadcasts in their own way, with Twitch suggesting that hosts draw on personal experiences and to get their viewers involved in the discussion.

There are more suggestions on the Twitch blog, as well as links for hosts to download a free graphics package to help tie in their content with other TwitchUnity content. The firm is also releasing a new TwitchUnity emote for viewers to use as a sign of their support.

The event is hoping to raise more than interesting discussions. Twitch will be selling a TwitchUnity t-shirt, with all proceeds going to Amnesty International. The charity will also receive any donations made during a three-hour Just Dance dance-a-thon the Twitch team will be livestreaming from its HQ.

"Creating a platform full of unique creators, and building the tools to allow those creators to make their channels safe spaces, have been guiding principles of Twitch since its inception," the team wrote. "We're incredible proud that our users have adopted this mentality, building acceptance as a key part of what it means to bleed purple."

Efforts to better discuss and promote diversity within the industry have increased greatly over the past couple of years, particularly since levels of toxicity among games communities on social media have risen. It's commendable that Twitch is hosting an entire day dedicated to such a topic, and encouraging the streamers and social media icons many young consumers follow avidly should help spread this message and mentality.