Can you say faggot on Twitch?


Sometimes we wonder about why so many people search for phrases you can or can’t say on Twitch when most of the time it’s obvious that perhaps you shouldn’t, even if it is allowed. Here we go into detail on another often offensive word – faggot or ‘fag’.

We’re going to deep dive as usual into the Twitch terms and conditions and the community guidelines because therein always lies the answer, but it does always need interpreting. Let’s go.

The meaning of the word faggot or fag in the UK vs US

I’m British, so the words fag and faggot mean something different to me, but I still understand its links to homophobia as when I watched American TV shows it was used differently. In the UK, Faggots are “meatballs” made from minced off-cuts and offal – being Welsh, I had heard of this interpretation before the more widely known homophobic interpretation. A “fag” is a slang word for a cigarette, one that is still used today, rarely, if ever, would I hear anyone use the word fag as an insult.

But, in the US, the country that dominates the streaming world in English speaking countries it is a horrible word with homophobic connotations. It is perforative and outright nasty. The Oxford dictionary state that a faggot is a “gay man” but adds a label that it is offensive in North America, and Dictionary.comOpens in a new tab. add “Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a gay person, especially a gay man.”

So, two very different meanings and interpretations. How does Twitch see these words when they’re used?

What kind of word is faggot and fag?

The category you would label fag and faggot would be hate speech towards a person or persons sexual orientation. It’s important to get this distinction to interpret the community guidelines to find out if the use of the word is allowed or if its down to the creators/moderators discretion.

Can you say fag or faggot on Twitch?

Twitch only has three words which are outright banned which are simp, virgin and incel. Other offensive words such as slut, retard, the n word are not specified but can be interpreted from the terms of conditions and the community guidelines.

The ToS doesn’t get into the specifics of conduct as it’s more about the service and how you can use it. The community guidelinesOpens in a new tab., however, does offer some guidance.

It states:

Twitch does not permit behavior that is motivated by hatred, prejudice or intolerance, including behavior that promotes or encourages discrimination, denigration, harassment, or violence based on the following protected characteristics: race, ethnicity, color, caste, national origin, immigration status, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, serious medical condition, and veteran status

Twitch HQ

In terms of the use of the word faggot, the important takeaway here is the intent – was it said in hatred. If so, it is not permitted and the user could be banned. If the streamer said it then they are likely to be banned for its use.

However, a UK streamer announcing he is going on a short fag break is unlikely to be banned as it was not said in hatred and had nothing to do with anyone’s sexual orientation. Equally, someone in chat using it in this context may also get a pass.

But, a person from the UK announcing it on a US streamer’s chat is likely to get some heat.

To summarise, in the USA fag and faggot are well known prejudiced and offensive words and shouldn’t be used. There’s a high risk of a form of punishment and surely there is a better word for what you wanted to say. If you intend to throw hate at someone then just log out.

In the UK, it is a different story and the context changes – you can use it in this way.

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