‘I’m scared of them’: Twitch streamer Fanfan faces backlash for viral comments targeting gay people

Twitch streamer Fiona “Fanfan” is facing backlash after she joked about being “scared” of gay people in a viral video. While some fans argued her tone was sarcastic, others found her tone insensitive. The controversy has reignited debate over the streamer’s responsibility, especially as her past statements, including those involving Kay Senat, continue to resurface.

Twitch streamer Fiona “Fanfan” is trending again, but not for the reasons she hoped. A recent live video of her sparked a heated debate online after she made some comments about gay people that many viewers found uncomfortable, even though she appeared to be joking. Known for her unapologetic personality, Fan has gained a loyal following by saying things that others might avoid. This time, however, the same spontaneity sparked serious backlash.The video quickly went viral, racking up views and comments on numerous platforms within just a few hours. Some fans were quick to defend her, saying it was just fun. Others disagree, saying even a joke might go too far. The moment quickly turned into a larger discussion about what streamers say on live shows and how much responsibility they have when they’re in front of a lot of people.

What exactly did Fan Fan say and why are people divided about it?

The moment came during a live broadcast on April 5, when a viewer accused her of hating gay people. Fanfan responded with a smile:“No, I don’t hate gay people…Hate is a strong word…I resent them. I’m afraid of them.”She later added more context, saying:“(‘You hate gays,’ one viewer said) No, I don’t hate gays! I don’t hate gays, I just… I don’t hate that, hate is a strong word. I hate them (laughs). I’m kidding! I’m just scared of them (laughs). I don’t hate them.”Some could tell by her tone that she wasn’t serious. They said her style was often awkward or overly funny. But some people don’t believe it. Even if it was a joke, they said, the words could still come across as rude.Some people have criticized Fanfan before. She previously received a lot of attention during a segment with Kai Senat and Sean “Diddy” Combs, which also caused a lot of debate online. Some critics say this new clip feels like part of a pattern rather than a one-off thing.The nature of live streaming is at the heart of it all. You can’t go back and change anything, and once the sentence comes out, you don’t have time to think about the sentence again. This raw, in-the-moment style makes streaming feel authentic. But it also means every word counts.