Meet Shawn Gilhuly | Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawn Gilhuly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawn, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am a queer disabled content creator from Connecticut. I have been on Twitch as a Partner since April 5, 2021, and as an Affiliate since May 12, 2019! Before streaming, I got my undergraduate honors degree in psychology research in neuroscience and social psychology with a minor in mathematics and geography in 2016. During my second senior year of undergrad, I became a published author on bisexuality research, based on how education assists in the acceptance and tolerance of a sub-population. I continued my education by conducting a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration. I have loved working in the education field due to the students and the impact that I can make working with them. I, unfortunately, lost my job in 2020 due to the pandemic and I have been streaming full-time since June 2, 2020.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a queer disabled content creator I have had the struggle of fighting against algorithms consistently. Being disabled (speech-language & mental health) often times I have difficulty creating content outside of Twitch to promote my audience and gain a following on TikTok/YouTube. I was able to create a following of 180K+ on TikTok but due to bullying around my disability, I had to forfeit that account and start again.

I am most proud of my determination to continue to succeed when the cards have been out to get me in 2021. I stepped away from a game where I gained my audience from due to the bullying and harassment which dropped my following by 30%+ on all platforms and 90% on Twitch.

This was not easy and for 7 months after April 2021, I did not see any amount of success and just consistent failure. This took a toll on my mental health but come November 2021 I am beginning to see growth once again and I am excited about my continued success.

I want the world to know that you can be successful even with a disability. Continuing to work towards your goal at any rate will get you there some day. Connect with others in the field who share the same struggle as you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting in Connecticut I would take them to New Haven. I grew up in New Haven County and went to college for 5 years in New Haven. I would start our day by taking a walk around the city and checking out the general shops. We’d stop for lunch at York Street Noodle House before going to Witch B*tch Thrift to shop. After we finished shopping we’d either go to a drag show at 168 York Street Cafe or a concert at Toad’s Place. We’d finish with midnight drunken noodles from wherever was open!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout my community on Twitch who in June 2020 told me to go for my dream of being a full-time content creator. Since their push that month, I have been able to pay all of my bills every month from content creation thanks to their support and my determination.

Website: https://www.shawn.games/about

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-l-gilhuly/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShawnDotGames

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShawnGames

Other: https://www.twitch.tv/shawn https://www.tiktok.com/@shawn.games https://www.tiktok.com/@shawn.archive