2026-02-10
Finding Community, Creativity, and Climate Action Through Gaming
Cosplayer, streamer, and community builder Julia Greer – better known as IndieByrd – has built more than just a Twitch channel; she’s created a welcoming digital home rooted in creativity, care, and connection. From bringing beloved characters to life through cosplay to championing indie games and under-represented voices, Julia’s journey as a creator is deeply shaped by authenticity and advocacy. Talking to PlanetPlay, she reflects on finding her voice online, creating safe and inclusive spaces, and why collaborating with PlanetPlay feels like a natural extension of her belief that gaming communities can drive real-world change – for people and for the planet…
Can you tell us a bit about your journey as a creator – from cosplay and TikTok to becoming a Twitch streamer?
Since I was young, I have always been the entertainer of my family. I love making people laugh, expressing my creativity anywhere I can through theatre, art and more. I have been cosplaying since I was 21 but didn’t go to my first convention until about six years later. I never had an opportunity to show off my skills until much later with social media, especially TikTok. I joined TikTok and started making videos in all of my costumes. I built a little community that enjoyed seeing their favourite characters come to life – and they later became friends.
I had a few friends dabbling in Twitch streaming four years ago and they recommended me to try it out. I had my PlayStation 4, a PS camera and anxiety. Will I translate okay to live?
I love the connections I have made over the last four years. I wouldn’t be here with you folks if it wasn’t for the love and support of my community. They have helped me grow as a creator, bringing bigger and better things to my content, they have been there through those hard times where I feel like giving it up, and give me reminders that there are kind people in the world.
Your channel is known for being a safe, inclusive space. What values were most important to you when you started building your community?
When I set out on this creator journey I knew that I wanted to create a space for folks to feel welcomed and safe because it is the internet! It is tough to find true spaces that look out for communities digitally – which, for some folks, is the only way they have to express themselves due to outside circumstances.
When I formed my mod team I told them I wanted to be diligent about listening to folks' needs – what makes them feel safe – and to make sure that everyone is feeling comfortable to be themselves. Communication and trust are very important to me, and I feel as though that has helped keep us safe because we can’t have a solid foundation without it. One of the things I am most proud of is how we take care of our flock and give people somewhere to thrive while also making strong, meaningful connections.
You have mentioned discovering your sexual identity later in life. What did that journey of self-discovery look like for you, especially growing up in a religious, cultural household?
I was a very late bloomer when it came to a lot of ‘normal’ things that you experience as a kid. I was the product of a teen pregnancy and so anything that involved me wanting to date created a big ‘to do’ because of my helicopter family watching my every move so that I wouldn’t ‘make the wrong choices’.
I was never given the sex talk properly and had to learn a lot about sexuality on my own from experiences. I always had to suppress whenever I started feeling attraction to the opposite sex because ‘that isn’t right!’, so I never really explored that because of the negative reactions, especially as a Latina. Time went on, I think one day I just saw all my friends who were out and being themselves with no shame and it just clicked. Why should I feel shame for being into people regardless of their sex or gender identity? Love and attraction is a beautiful thing. It makes us feel human and alive.
So, when it just clicked, there wasn’t a big to-do. I just told my friends – “hey you guys! I am pansexual!”. And their reaction was like – “yay finally! We always kind of knew but happy you feel like your true self.”
Needless to say, this is your sign to keep the ones that support you and love you close. They are the ones that will help in your growth.
How did platforms like TikTok and Twitch contribute to your understanding of yourself and others during that period of reflection?
TikTok is an amazing source of information if utilized correctly. So many people in the queer community are inspirational with their stories of courage, art, beauty and strength. It was so moving that when I was exploring those thoughts and feelings, it almost felt like I found a home. Like if they can embrace their beautiful selves, why can't I? Twitch is just an outlet for me to boost their stories and for me to live out my best life. I am so fortunate to have a platform for that and a community who feels good enough to be themselves with me.
While your sexual identity isn’t the centre of your content, it’s clearly something you’re proud of. How do you balance visibility with authenticity as a creator?
I tend to not make it the center because I don’t want to only be known as ‘that pan creator’. I want to be known as that queer woman who plays and talks about indie games from small devs, or the queer woman who loves horror games and raises money for charity. I think that it is great to live loud and proud, but I also want to be seen for the work we do together on my channel which also make others feel welcomed to join in on the fun we do for the LGBTQIA2S+ & BIPOC communities.
You actively uplift queer, BIPOC, and trans voices through gaming and charity work. Why do you feel gaming is such an important space for representation and advocacy right now?
Before I got into streaming, I had been a gamer since I could hold a controller. Gaming has given me a sense of comfort and community as the years have gone by. But as an adult gamer, I have noticed the shift between the type of game I want to consume and what stories interest me the most. I love raw, human stories about all walks of life. Things that I can relate to. Things that I can learn about and take with me in my real life.
After discovering indie games and how they capture all of that, I fell in love with these little games that sometimes barely get any circulation but they leave such a big mark on me – which is why I think it is so important to push these games out with my content. BIPOC, women & fem identifying folks and the LGBTQIA2S+ get so overlooked with their stories and talents because people are unwilling to connect with games on an emotional level. The commentary of these folks gives us a peek into their world. Maybe if we took the time to listen and play, we would be a little kinder to each other.
What has your work with Stream for a Cause, Dames 4 Games, and the indie game showcase taught you about the power of community-driven activism?
I started charity streaming two years ago with Stream for a Cause and it has been such an incredible ride since. I have been so fortunate to see all the folks involved with making these organisations run smoothly. There is so much love, care and devotion to helping others that it motivated me to roll up my sleeves and join in. My community has been with me since I started charity streaming and have been so supportive in boosting the charities through donations, reshares and word of mouth – not to mention running their own campaigns on their own channels. Basically, what I am saying is that it has taught me that it takes a village. When you work together towards common goals to better the world around you, you get the job done!
How did you come to learn about PlanetPlay – and what are your thoughts about its campaigns and initiatives?
PlanetPlay actually reached out to me! I remember getting an email and thinking “who are these guys? Oh dang! They are saving the earth AND offering really neat games?!” What a great combo!
I think that the initiatives PlanetPlay provides are what we need, especially because sometimes people are unsure of how to help with environmental causes. Some folks can’t manually go out and plant trees or join a protest but still want to help. Every little bit helps in the good fight and every person is valid with any help they can give.
During LGBTQ+ History Month, what message would you most like queer folks – especially those still figuring themselves out – to hear?
Based on personal experience, I would say: No matter how old you become, never stop learning about yourself. We are constantly growing and evolving at every age. The person you were 10 years ago would look at you now and think “wow! I did that? I survived?! I came out as stronger, cooler and wiser than ever!? Dang I also look so good while doing it!”
You aren’t limited to a timeline to discover who you are, who you are meant to be and where you will be doing it. When you do figure it out, I promise you it will be worth all the work getting to it. Remember, you are not alone and there is a big community out there that will help you on your journey. All you have to do is believe in yourself and believe that you are capable of achieving what you put your mind to. You got this!