This Gamergate Survivor is Running For Congress

After she spoke up about sexism in the video game industry, Brianna Wu suffered so much harassment that she developed post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Vox. So Wu, who had never wanted to be a public figure, decided to run for office. Wu says that the harassment forced her to think about her public persona, as well as what works and doesn’t work for women running for office.

My medical marijuana use for PTSD, children being molested by counselors at summer camp, men cheerleading Louie CKs return – I did a very wide-ranging interview with @annanorthtweets for @voxdotcom.
https://t.co/n0YlgoeaPa

— Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) September 4, 2018

In 2014, a loosely knit group of gamers who were angry about the state of gaming journalism began harassing female developers and critics — the group and their campaign of threats and abuse were known as Gamergate. Wu made fun of the harassers on Twitter, writes Vox, and ultimately she had her personal information published and was forced to flee her home. She had to seek extensive therapy for the deeply traumatic experience. But now, she is one of the many women running for office for the first time in 2018.

I didn’t give in to cynicism.
I didn’t let despair win.
Trump won, I grabbed a clipboard, and I learned how to run for public office.

And so did THOUSANDS of other women like me.

No matter what happens tomorrow, I engaged our deeply flawed system, and I am proud.

— Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) September 4, 2018

Wu is challenging Rep. Stephen Lynch and airline pilot Christopher Voehl in the Democratic primary to represent Massachusett’s Eighth District. She has a message for many other female candidates challenging incumbents this election cycle, writes Vox: Changing the status quo is hard and it might take more than one try.

This is exactly right. Win or lose tomorrow, I am running again in 2020.
Wiser.
More strategic.
Building on success and learning from mistakes. https://t.co/vHGF3pRuTT

— Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) September 4, 2018