FaZe Ewok Used National Coming Out Day to Make an Important Announcement

When Soleil Wheeler, better known by his gaming moniker “FaZe Ewok,” was recruited to join professional esports organization FaZe Clan in July 2019, it made him the first female to join the professional esports group. FaZe Ewok, who also happens to have been born deaf, has since become one of the most recognizable faces in the gaming community, making a name for himself as one of the biggest Fortnite stars in the online gaming world.

But despite his massive success, FaZe Ewok had been struggling with his identity for many years. To celebrate this year’s National Coming Out Day, he decided to open up about his struggles with gender identity and sexual orientation. Keep scrolling to find out everything about FaZe Ewok’s history-making announcement. 

In a TwitLonger post, FaZe Ewok laid out his years-long struggle with identity, saying that the last few years have been some of his “lowest,” resulting in difficulties at school and with him accepting himself for who he truly is. However, he learned that “you can’t avoid any bad situations and you’ll have to face them eventually.”

So in honor of National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, FaZe Ewok proudly tweeted his coming out post. “I am transgender. (FTM) I goes by (He/Him) now," he wrote. "There’s difference between gender and sexual orientation. I am bisexual as well.” 

He goes on to detail some of his personal history that led to this decision, saying that he was never “felt right” in a girl’s body and for the “past eight years, I never was truly happy with myself and struggled.” However, after years of working on himself, he’s ready to transition and he wants to “be open about it and educate people.”

The 15-year-old also went on to reassure others who may be going through similar struggles but aren’t ready to come out yet. “Not everybody are ready to come out and [National Coming Out Day] is not all about coming out," he wrote. "It’s about celebrating others and finally free to walk in beautiful paradise with others.” He went on to directly address people who’re still unsure about making their own decision public, supportively saying, “To many, you are worthy and loved. Take your time. You are still valid.”

The online gaming world can be a notoriously hostile space for anyone that isn’t a hyper-masculine straight male. But thankfully, FaZe Ewok was met with an outpouring of support and congratulations from gaming fans following his announcement. 

As he himself notes in the post, FaZe Ewok coming out is a huge deal since it makes him the most visible transgender member of a major T1 esports organization. “There are not many trans people on organizations or stuff like that," he said. "I want to be honest as possible with you guys. This is truly a big decision and I know it’ll impact some people.” 

He also pointedly tells his fans, “I’ll need y’all support. I truly appreciate it if you supports. It means the world to me.” And support him, they did!

FaZe Clan tweeted “You are loved” under Ewok’s post. Fellow gamer Blaze also tweeted out his support saying, “Love you Ewok you are an incredible human and I am proud to call you my teammate. Continue being yourself as you find your way in this world.”

Of course not everyone online was supportive, but FaZe Ewok quickly let fans know that he wasn’t here for any disrespect. Responding to a now-deleted tweet that questioned his decision, Ewok said, "It’s my journey. You don’t have a say in my journey. If you don’t like it, you are always welcome to leave. I am compromised with my decisions and happy with it. Take that discussion somewhere else.”

We wish this young, barrier-breaking gamer all the best for his bright future!