Ana Valens

Ana Valens is a reporter specializing in online queer communities, marginalized identities, and adult content creation. She is a former Daily Dot staff writer. Her work has appeared at Vice, Vox, Truthout, Bitch Media, Kill Screen, Rolling Stone, and the Toast. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and spends her free time developing queer adult games.

Tweets by Ana Valens

Steam criticized after pulling LGBTQ+ and female protagonist categories

The change could be detrimental to queer developers.

On Apr 30, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL

A blonde woman uses a smartphone in bed.

There’s a better way to be on social media in the pandemic

Logging off is good, but balance is better.

On Mar 25, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL

Among Us is even more addicting with this voice app

What happens when you can play Among Us by chatting with your fellow players?

On Jan 24, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL

An image of a woman holding the Moodbeam One, a wearable surveillance tech device.

This controversial bracelet lets bosses track employees’ moods with the push of a button

It’s surveillance tech for your well-being.

On Jan 18, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL

Kitsune Tails is an explicitly queer throwback to classic platform games

The game is a sapphic love letter to Japanese mythology.

On Jan 16, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL

A side-by-side comparison of the Cyberpunk 2077 cover and the controversial 'Chromanticore' in-game trans model.

Cyberpunk 2077 looms. How am I supposed to deal with it as a trans woman?

There’s no script for this.

On Dec 9, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL

Target restocked a transphobic book because of money—not ‘censorship’

Target is transphobic only cares about the most expensive voice in the room.

On Nov 16, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL

How to get the new Fall Guys Untitled Goose Game skins

Honk Honk.

On Nov 13, 2020 by Ana Valens

Internet Culture

Conservatives freak out after Target pulls transphobic book (updated)

They’re crying ‘censorship.’

On Nov 13, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL

Trump did better with white women in 2020’s exit polls. Why?

You guessed it: racism.

On Nov 4, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL

Taylor Small leads potentially historic night for trans politicians

She’s one of many trans politicians on the ballot tonight.

On Nov 3, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL

Bridgefy blew up during the Hong Kong uprising. Should Americans use it, too?

What happens if the internet goes down?

On Nov 3, 2020 by Ana Valens

Tech

Cyberpunk 2077 is coming. Remember to listen to trans people about its problems

Trans voices should be centered. Why aren’t they?

On Oct 29, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL

Amy Coney Barrett highlights the rise of fascist, ex-liberal women

It’s a pipeline with far-right funding behind it.

On Oct 27, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL

The Apple Watch tracks calories burned during sex. What does that mean for data privacy?

Apple values privacy. But is it enough?

On Oct 10, 2020 by Ana Valens

Tech