Steam · @AeS_Steam
2nd Jul 2020 from TwitLonger
My Story
It's been years since any of this, and thankfully I never experienced any real trauma or pain out of it. But in light of recent events I've reflected on it and more, and think it might be helpful for others for me to share my experience with it all as well.
In 2010/2011, When I was 16/17, on the old brawl wifi site BrawlFriendCodes.com, I was involved sexually with another smasher who was around 30/31 at the time. It's been a long time now, and the site itself is long gone now, so I don't recall so many details and I have no proof. I'm not going to name this person in part because of this, and also because I'm honestly not interested in doing so anyways, it's been so long.
For those who don't know I'm bisexual, and at that time that this all happened I was still in discovery of that fact, so I wound up involved with several men at different times, some who I'm still friends with today. They were all my age more or less, with the exception of this guy. I remember noticing his age on the site and noticing the age difference, not thinking much of it at first, then after awhile deciding to distance myself from the situation. Fortunately it never really went further than sexting and it didn't leave any emotional damage at the time. I have no ill will towards him and don't think he had any sinister intentions, and still wish him the best, wherever he is. However, looking back now that I'm older that situation makes me feel increasingly uncomfortable, and in light of everything going I don't want to keep it to myself anymore.
I'm aware this is pretty light compared to what we're dealing with and I don't want to take away the spotlight from those who are really suffering. But I think it's important to point out that 1. Things like this have been going on in the community for a LONG time, and 2. They don't just happen at events, plenty of grooming and other misconduct can happen entirely online within the smash community.
On another note, I want to apologize to Colorado Smash and the smash community at large for often being a negative force in the past. Y'all have been so good to me over the years and been a place where I've been able compete have have fun while truly comfortable with myself and my identity. I've often been negative/jaded/angry in demeanor at events and just with the community in general and you all deserve better from me. I've been steadily improving in recent years, but I want to do even more for the community I've been a part for so long and has given me so many happy memories. I love you guys and I'll do everything I can to be the role model I've needed to be for a long time.
Thank you so much for reading.