I wanted to make this post regarding gamechangers, and all the controversy surrounding women in esports, and particularly trans players in GC. If you have a strong opinion on this, I suggest you read and listen.
biologically, there is 0 difference in skill between men and women.
the difference comes socially; 10-20 years ago, boys could freely play video games as kids, but girls would often be shunned, pushed away from it, dissuaded by parents etc. It wasn't socially acceptable for girls to play, but for boys it was fine.
This of course has the knock-on effect, that nowadays, 20 years later (2024) the boys who grew up playing video games are much much better, especially at the pro level, since they have grown up playing video games their whole lives. considering being an esports player was a dream for many young boys, but was completely denied for many young girls.
Game Changers is Riot's way of telling young girls it's ok to play video games. I'm sure there are plenty of young girls who are inspired by gamechangers to strive for pro, and in a few years times the top talents will be emerging; girls who also grew up playing video games their whole lives, and with a dream of going pro. The talent pool will be much wider.
The reason why trans players are 'better' in GC is obvious; they were boys during their childhood!
Many people come to the question then; why allow trans/non-binary players into game changers? They didn't face the societal struggles that women did when they were younger and wanted to play video games. This is true! trans players often didn't face societal backlash as kids, but through their teenage years, and now into late teens/early 20s where a majority of trans players in esports fit - they are facing significant societal backlash, bullying and hatred for simply existing. GC allows trans players to compete, because trans players, like women, are also looking for a space where they can compete free of judgement and bullying AND is Riot's way of communicating to younger trans fans that it's ok to be who you are, and that esports is a space for them as well - because face the facts, there aren't any trans players in the main circuit either.
So, if you actually read through this, thank you. And if you are one of the people who is critical of GC's eligibility rules, I hope that you can appreciate that GC is more than a "women's league" and serves a much bigger purpose for the future of women and trans players in Valorant, esports and in society.