NICKMERCS claims pro-LGBTQ+ Apex Legends is keeping him from ALGS
Nick "NICKMERCS" Kolcheff sparked a huge controversy in 2023 after he tweeted seemingly anti-LGBTQ+ opinions on the topic of education. This was met with heavy backlash and resulted in his Operator skin being removed from Call of Duty.
Since then, the FPS streamer has signed a deal with the Kick platform and pivoted towards playing more Apex Legends instead of Modern Warfare 3.
In 2024, NICKMERCS is even attempting to work his way up to the Pro League by winning enough tournaments. However, he argues that Apex Legends' pro-LGBTQ+ stance will prevent him from ever reaching the ALGS and competing at the top level.
NICKMERCS thinks Apex Legends' pro-LGBTQ+ stance will block him from ALGS
During a recent stream, NICKMERCS was discussing Apex Legends' Pro League and claimed that it would be unlikely that he would receive an invite due to a "difference of opinion" on LGBTQ+ education with Respawn.
"Apex is very pro-gay, pro-trans... look I'm not anti but I'm not in the front of the parade doing the high knees either, you know what I mean?
"So, live and let people live, but we clearly have a difference in opinion across the board, so I mean if you're expecting them to give me an invite to their Pro League, I mean I'd be so surprised if that happened."
Kolcheff argues that his previous comments and opinions on the matter will be the reason he doesn't reach the very top level of Apex Legends.
Apex Legends and its support of the LGBTQ+ community
Click to enlargeApex Legends has always been unapologetically supportive of the LGBTQ+ community and is frequently praised for its representation across its cast of characters.
There's an ever-growing roster of LGBTQ+ Apex Legends Legends, with the non-binary Bloodhound, bisexual Loba, and pansexual Fuse being just a few of them. Kolcheff's latest comments have yet again split the gaming community, with some siding with him and others calling him out.
While NICKMERCS hasn't qualified for the ALGS yet, it'll be interesting to see whether EA and Respawn step in to block his entrance into the Pro League. After all, allowing him to compete may result in a lot of frustration from the Apex playerbase.
