The Incident
FlyQuest’s top laner, Gabriël “Bwipo” Rau, has been suspended from the upcoming LTA playoffs after making sexist remarks on stream. During a live broadcast, Bwipo suggested that women should avoid competitive gaming during their menstrual periods. The comments quickly drew backlash and were ruled inconsistent with FlyQuest’s core values of inclusivity and respect.
Organization’s Response & Disciplinary Measures
FlyQuest immediately released a statement stressing its commitment to fostering a welcoming environment in gaming. The organization described Bwipo’s comments as “antithetical” to its mission and announced that he would be suspended from the next playoff series. Additionally, his event prize money will be donated to programs supporting women in gaming.
Context: What Did Bwipo Say?
On stream, Bwipo claimed that women should not play competitive games during their period and suggested competitions should be rescheduled to avoid this time. He also implied that women should instead focus on non-competitive tasks. These remarks were widely criticized as uninformed and discriminatory.
Community Backlash and Expert Reactions
The esports community responded swiftly.
-Caster Azael said the take was one of the most harmful and misguided he had ever seen.
-Kelsey Moser, a well-known esports analyst, described the comments as an example of “legendary foot-in-mouth” behavior, pointing out their tone-deaf nature.
-G2 assistant coach Memento called the statements “extremely sexist” and emphasized that they were simply untrue.
-Sjokz (Eefje Depoortere), respected host and analyst, argued that while it’s valid to acknowledge the challenges of women’s health, suggesting they should not compete during their period is a “crazy take.” She highlighted that women succeed across many professions while managing the same health realities.
-EXN player Raelyni provided a personal example, explaining that she tracked her ranked performance across menstrual cycles and found no correlation between her cycle and gameplay performance. Nutrition, such as whether she had eaten, was the only factor that affected her performance.
Larger Implications for Esports Culture
This controversy underscores the ongoing challenges of building an inclusive culture in competitive gaming. FlyQuest has invested in initiatives to support underserved communities, but the incident reveals how quickly harmful narratives can spread even within progressive organizations. The situation is being viewed as both a setback and an opportunity for growth in how the industry addresses gender dynamics.
What’s Next?
As of now, Bwipo has not issued a public apology or personal statement. He will miss FlyQuest’s upcoming playoff match against Vivo Keyd Stars, scheduled for September 20, 2025, and the organization has confirmed that his playoff prize earnings will be redirected to women-in-gaming initiatives, though specific recipients have not yet been named.
