A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEXUALITY IN THE SIMS 1 & 2 The Sims franchise has seen major changes throughout the last two decades that have revolutionised the representation of the LGBTQIA+ Community in The Sims. Fortunately, as a Sims Community, we were fortunate enough to influence some of these major game changes that now allow us a lot more creative freedom and inclusivity. We are now able to customise gender settings; a Sim’s physical frame, clothing preference and more. We are also able to select whether this Sim will be able to become pregnant, impregnate others or remain infertile. In the franchise’s first game, The Sims, we were unable to officially “marry” same-sex couples let alone let alone have the freedoms to create whoever we want. However, the issue with pitting all four PC games against each other is that historical context behind the development of each game is vastly different and must be taken into perspective. So, this month I have started back at the beginning of the franchise, focusing on the historical
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background of LGBTQIA+ rights in North America, and the United Kingdom, and how this influenced the representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in The Sims 1 and 2. Firstly, The Sims was developed in North America in the 1990s and released in 2000. Four years prior to its release, on September 21st 1996, President Clinton signed the Defence of Marriage Act. This banned the federal recognition of same-sex marriage, defining marriage as "a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife." Reflected in The Sims, only male and female Sims could get married. However, same-sex couples can move in together. They were recognised as roommates, but same-sex relationships and platonic friends could not be distinguished. Also, as marriage is only classed as a social interaction and not a recognised status, the game will not differentiate between gay and straight couples once the “Move-In” or “Get Married” interaction is selected.
