Rainbow Six Siege Announces First Openly Gay Operator
By Jack O'Dwyer
Rainbow Six Siege is opening its next competitive season with the game's first openly gay Operator, Flores.
Ubisoft has released its first canonically LGBTQ+ character in its tactical FPS game, Rainbow Six Siege. Santiago "Flores" Lucero is the latest addition to the game's roster of 59 operators with his debut coinciding with the game's next season, Crimson Heist. According to his in-game information, Flores originally hails from Buenos Aires where he was a talented larcenist—often recalling details "about the crime lords he used to steal from."
In match overtime, the word "teamwork" becomes subjective. On March 16, learn how Flores lights up the competition in the new season, Crimson Heist. pic.twitter.com/Gh6RwLSUZT
— Rainbow Six Siege (@Rainbow6Game) February 21, 2021
First Gay Operator in Rainbow Six Siege
Those who read through the in-game reports on each operator likely noticed a single line referring to how Flores interacts and gets along with others. Supposedly, he tends to play things closer to the vest, except when it comes to his husband.
In the report, Gridlock writes, "Every night he calls home to talk to his husband, but he’s very private about their relationship (with me at least). He cares about people in general, but his marriage is on another level. Even when he takes off his ring, it never leaves his person."
Flores breaks from the rest of the cast in more ways than this, however. He has his calling as a master thief in his home country of Argentina while other operators tend to be trained members of national defense coalitions. Even his appearance stands out, as he sports a unique, stylish pair of circular glasses bearing red-tinted lenses—a strong nod to the "crimson" in Crimson Heist.
On the field, Flores steps into the offensive role as an Attacker. He carries an AR-33 and an SR-25 as his primary weapons while also handling a Claymore and Stun Grenade. Additionally, Flores can take control of the RCE-Ratero Charge which can be controlled from a distance. Once activated, it attaches to a nearby wall and becomes invulnerable as it explodes "destroying nearby gadgets and soft surfaces."
Players will be able to play as Flores alongside the release of Crimson Heist on Mar. 16.