The complex relationship between genders within the online gaming community has long been a topic of feminist criticisms and academic discussions, with the earliest documentation dating back to American sociologist Amy Bruckman's research paper “Gender Swapping on the Internet” published in 1993.
While the stereotypes about attention-seeking female gamers began to emerge with the popularization of online multiplayer games in the early 2000s, the earliest known use of 'gurl gamer' as a derisive label can be found in a Gaia Online forum thread titled 'I'm a girl gamer! GIRL GAMER PRIDE …Okay,' submitted by forum member Dimigo on January 24th, 2010 (shown below).
