Dr. Disrespect issues shocking statement, finally revealing why he was banned from Twitch

Updated 06/26/24. See update below.

Dr. Disrespect, aka Guy Beahm, is making headlines again, almost four years after being banned from Twitch in 2020, the online streaming platform on which he gained some fame. It now appears that the popular streamer may be calling it quits for good.

The reason for the ban was never revealed by Twitch or Dr. Disrespect, although the latter took the streaming platform to court over the ban, while the former paid for Beahm’s contract. The years have passed. The story has become legend. The legend has become myth.

Then, on June 22, 2024, former Account Director of Strategic Partnership at Twitch, Cody Conners, tweeted: “(Dr Disrespect) was banned because he was caught sexting a minor in the then-existing Twitch Whispers product. He was trying to meet her at TwitchCon. The powers that be could read in plain text.

Beahm responded to this allegation on Twitter:

“Listen,” he tweeted, “I’m obviously bound by the legal obligations of the settlement with Twitch, but I just need to say what I can say since this is the internet (bleep).

“I did nothing wrong, this was all investigated and resolved, nothing illegal, no wrongdoing was found and I was paid.”

He also responded to media personality Jake Lucky with a strange non-denial, tweeting: “Jake seriously… I get it, it’s a hot topic but it was settled, no wrongdoing was admitted and they paid the contract in full.”

Then, during a stream on June 23, Dr. Disrespect received a message that seemed to discourage the streamer. During the end of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree session, Beahm indicated he might retire from streaming altogether, explaining that “I just feel exhausted.”

“Maybe it’s time to start something new, something different,” he told his viewers.

“But I think, first of all, I had a few vacations planned coming up, but I might extend them starting today. It’s like that. People get tired. To be honest, I don’t know how long my vacation is, but maybe I’ll extend it. We will see.”

This happened just before the game studio he co-founded, Midnight Sons, announced it would be cutting ties with the streamer. The company’s statement reads:

On Friday evening, we became aware of an allegation against one of our co-founders, Guy Beahm, aka Dr Disrespect.

We assumed his innocence and began speaking with the parties involved. And in order to maintain our principles and standards as a studio and individuals, we had to act.

For this reason, we are immediately terminating our relationship with Guy Beahm.

While these facts are difficult to hear and even more difficult to accept, it is our duty to act with dignity on behalf of everyone involved, especially the fifty-five developers and families we have employed as well as our gaming community.

As with the Twitch ban nearly four years ago, much of this remains shrouded in mystery. Twitch hasn’t commented on the matter, and Beahm has certainly announced his resignation before, whether it’s from streaming or just streaming specific games like Call of Duty. It always seems to come back. Some also questioned Conners’ tweets promising to reveal why Dr. Disrespect was banned if Conners sold out three of his upcoming shows last year. However, another former Twitch employee backed up Conners’ statement – ​​as an anonymous, anonymous source – to The Verge.

How none of this came to light in nearly four years is another big question, and more than a little shocking in the age of leaks and online gossip.

Update:

Just after posting the article above, Dr. Disrespect released a lengthy statement, admitting to inappropriate messages with a minor, although he denies it involved anything illegal and pushes back against accusations that he is a predator.

“Were there any whispered messages on Twitch with a minor in 2017? », writes Beahm. ” The answer is yes. Were there real intentions behind these messages? The answer is absolutely no. They were casual, mutual conversations that sometimes leaned too far toward the inappropriate, but nothing more. Nothing illegal happened, no photos were shared, no crimes were committed, I never even met the person. I went through a lengthy arbitration regarding a civil dispute with Twitch and that matter was resolved by settlement. Let me be clear, this was not a criminal matter against me and no criminal charges were ever filed against me. »

Beahm adds: “Now, from a moral standpoint, I will absolutely take responsibility for that. To begin with, I should never have had these conversations.

He also forcefully denies that he is a predator or pedophile, writing: “Now with all that said, don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen all the remarks and labels being thrown around so vaguely. Social media is a destruction zone. I’m not a fucking predator or pedophile.

The streamer added that he’s changed since 2020 and is “not going anywhere,” writing, “I’m not the same guy who made that mistake all those years ago.” I’m taking an extended vacation with my family as mentioned in the stream and returning with a heavy weight on my shoulders.

The profanity-laden statement can be found in full in the tweet below:

Now we finally know beyond a shadow of a doubt why Twitch banned Dr. Disrespect in 2020. It may not be the final chapter in this saga, but it’s something. Without access to the messages or more information on the subject, we can only speculate at this point. We only have Beahm’s word on this matter. Until the messages are released — with the other party’s name and identity redacted, obviously — we don’t know how serious this really is. Twitch has yet to make a statement on the matter, and it’s unclear if the company will do so.

What do you think about all this? Let me know on Twitter and Facebook.

Update 2 — 06/26/2024

The reaction online, even on the Dr Disrespect subreddit, has been fairly universally one of disgust, despair and resignation.

Already, sponsors are abandoning the streamer and big names in the streaming community are distancing themselves from Beahm.

The game Disrespect was working on with Midnight Society, a studio he co-founded, a pull-down shooter called Dead, is going to face an uphill battle, with many players calling it DOA. The game, which featured controversial NFTs, saw the price of those NFTs plummet following Doc’s admission.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of followers have unfollowed the streamer on Twitter and YouTube.

Doc’s friend and popular streamer Tim “TimTheTatMan” Betar called Beahm’s actions “inexcusable” in a Twitter video where Betar is visibly upset.

The only holdouts seem to be fans who say that perhaps the messages with the anonymous underage person are just crude jokes or inappropriate remarks rather than sexual or flirtatious. I’ve wondered this too, but Doc’s line about “intentions” seems like a huge red flag to me. And regardless of the content of the messages, any inappropriate message addressed to a minor is indefensible and erroneous. At best, it’s a matter of degree at this point, and that doesn’t mean much.

I think the best thing for Beahm at this point would be to sail off into the sunset and leave his streaming career behind. He’s being provocative in the above statement, but this challenge won’t lead anywhere to more controversy and a gaming community almost entirely united against him (or at least unwilling to support him) outside of a small but vocal from his fan base. Most fans on Reddit are just extremely disappointed and feel incredibly betrayed and disenchanted with someone they have admired for so long.

It’s time to give up the ghost, Doc. Go take care of your family. Forge a new path. Take advantage of your wealth and create something new.