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Denver, 6:08 AM
Sun Nov 29
8 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/27/09
It comes down to this: Are intolerant gamers just the loudest minority in a sea of respectable people? Or do we have more respect than we should for the gaming audience- is everyone more immature than we actually realize?
Whether its one or the other, I don't think its a reason for homosexual people to get upset. When you come out you have understand that some people aren't going to like it- but its their problem, not yours.
Last point: When you run over a 13 year old high school kid in Halo and he says 'Thats so gay!', I don't think he means to hurt you, oh homosexual gamer, I think he means that getting run over is pretty gay. Theres a difference now, the word is being transformed, its still evolving in societies lexicon. Once it meant happy, then it meant homosexual, and now its evolving to mean something unsavoury and negative. Is it a bad thing? Well, it doesnt really matter, becuase thats the way the word is used and thats the way its going to continued to be used. Society has spoken, and its word is law...
11/27/09
Claiming that the word has two definitions, one that means "homosexual" and one that means "something negative" doesn't fly, especially when people shout things like "that's so homosexual" in a negative manner. It's very clear that it's not the word "gay" that has the negative connotation, it's homosexuality as a whole.
We as a society don't stand for people casually throwing about racial slurs (The unspoken rules about casually throwing around terms like "nigger" or "spic" are very well known, and these terms tend to stay out of people's vocabularies.) but we're fine with sexual identity slurs? That's a double-standard to me.
Furthermore, I identify as a member of the Jewish faith and ethnicity. (As it is both, and I am both.) When something throws the word "Jew" around as a negative slur, I get annoyed. Because it IS using part of my identity as a negative, and the implication is that I should be ashamed to identify as such.
I have had at least one experience where when I revealed that I was a Jew, people actually gasped. (The response was "How could you say that about yourself?") And last I checked, Judaism is at least more or less accepted by society. It's far harder for homosexuals who are not widely accepted as a whole by society and this flippant use of homosexuality as a negative only reinforces that difficulty.
(And let's not bring up the terms "faggot" or "fag", which are quite the slur themselves.)
To address your third point, for someone who doesn't identify as heterosexual, it becomes their problem as soon as a number of people don't like it. You can claim it's the problem of those who don't like it, but in a mob, they're quite capable of making it the non-heterosexual's problem. (Examples of this as a matter of race or religion/ethnicity are things like lynchings and pogroms. It IS your problem if you're a member of the minority, no matter how much anyone says it isn't.)
I wouldn't say the problem is being overblown so much as it's not an easily solved problem. Society as a whole will continue to push for slurs, and unless members of society are educated to think differently, this will always be the case. The only real solution is education and tolerance. Two things that we as a species seem to have in varying amounts and a limited supply.
(As a follow up point: For many, the only way to make slurs not matter is to treat them as though they don't mean anything. This works reasonably well over the internet, as there's a lot of anonymity, but if this sort of culture of phobia pervades and shows up further in the physical world, more and more problems will spring up. People ARE being mistreated and harassed in public areas because of their sexual orientation, and this will only get worse over time.)
11/27/09
Maybe I'm wrong, I'm willing to accept that. I'm not an expert, but me being right or wrong won't change a thing. The fact of the matter is I don't know how to feel about this subject. One part of me says that gays should just grow a thicker skin, but that argument has been defeated time and again. The other part feels that people shouldn't make fun of others for any reason- which is unrealistic and will never happen, especially over Xbox LIVE.
And to say that it should be moderated by the service providers (PSN, Xbox LIVE, etc.) is unfair and unrealistic. Its no where near cost effective and if anything attempts to moderate it would make slurring worse. Not to mention it could potentially bring in violations to right to free speech. Modern day nazis have that right too, even if its not socially acceptable.
Its as close to an unsolvable problem as one can get. Which means gay people NEED to grow a thicker skin, from the pure fact they wont be able to play online at all if they dont. It may not be right, but its the way it is, and most likely the way it will continue to be. There will always be angry, sexually confused people who want to take their angst and lack of skill out on others. So deal with it.
07/21/09
I could care less what you do in your own bedroom, nor does it "bother" me to see two men kissing, women holding hands, etc.
However, I am not "openly straight", a friend of mine does not proclaim her bisexuality on tshirts or on her gamertag. It's not something you normally bring up in conversation. I cannot remember ever bringing up my sexual orientation in casual conversation.
Gay, lesbian, straight or bisexual. It just doesn't matter. Once people stop identifying themselves by their sexual preference, and start seeing themselves as complex, interesting people (of which being gay is only a facet of the whole), then we can all move on from this silly debate.
Oh, and to the haters and homophobes out there. Seriously, what is your problem? If you weren't going to kiss him when you thought he was straight, why would you suddenly be scared of him sexually now that you know he is gay?
07/21/09
Sometimes you just have to stand up for yourselves to prove them wrong. When was the last time you saw a gay character on TV that wasn't a flamboyant caricature? Sometimes it's hard to be seen as a complex, interesting person when others try, unintentionally or not, to reduce you to that.
07/21/09
Being openly gay doesn't mean you shout it from the rooftops or wear it on a shirt. It doesn't have mean any more than you not hiding your sexual preference from anyone when it comes up in conversation. It means if you're out for a drink with some new co workers and one of them asks if you want to be hooked up with some friend of theirs you tell them you're gay and aren't interested in dating women. You hide nothing.
07/21/09
Can you imagine what it must feel like to not to know whether someone is going to judge you as a pervert/sinner/morally depraved/mentally ill/pitiful/sexual deviant just from having normal conversation? It sucks.
Obviously you're not against gay people, but I think many people who aren't gay don't realize just how often it comes up, and how much of yourself you have to hide if you don't want people to know.
07/22/09
I don't think you should have to hide it at all!
And I really sympathize that anyone would be judged negatively based souly on their sexual preferences.
However, I don't see players proclaiming their sexual preferences on their cars, their hockey jerseys, their mailboxes, etc.
Let's be honest here, it's easy to proclaim your sexual preference on XBox because it is anonymous.
Instead of taking an area where you can be judged based on everything EXCEPT (online) your sexual preferences, instead you create a situation where you are advertising them (by putting your sexual preference in your gamertag).
AND LET ME MAKE ONE THING CLEAR: I do not condone the rampant asshats that cause shit when someone with a LGBT handle comes online. If you want to advertise your sexual preferences publicly, you should be free to do so without fear of harassment.
However, pragmatically, there is no reason to advertise your sexual preferences online. By changing your gamertag to show your "gay" status, it's not just coming up in casual conversation. You are advertising it, and you're baiting the morons.
07/22/09
I agree wholeheartedly!
You don't shout it from the rooftops, or wear it on a shirt, or place it in your gamertag!
That would just be dumb! :-)
I used to work with the ex-head of the Vancouver LGBT community. His wish was that the Pride Parade (coming up this weekend, second most attended parade in the city after the Santa Clause Parade!) would consist of people wearing polo shirts and business suits.
07/22/09
I just think if you want people not to pigeonhole you, you shouldn't label yourself.
Especially when it's completely irrelevant (I mean, honestly who gives a damn about whether the person you're playing Halo against is straight or gay?).
(PS: I totally agree about the Hollywood representation of homosexuals. It does seem to be getting a little better though.
And to be fair, I get upset about Hollywood's depiction of White, Heterosexual Males. To quote NOFX:
"Don't call me white, Don't call me white
Don't call me white, Don't call me white
The connotations wearing my nerves thin
Could it be semantics generating the mess we're in?
I understand that language breeds stereotype
But what's the explanation for the malice, for the spite?
I wasn't brought here, I was born
Circumsized, categorized, allegiance sworn,
Does this mean I have to take such shit
For being fairskinned? No!
I ain't a part of no conspiracy,
I'm just you're average Joe.
(It) Represents everything I hate,
The soap shoved in your mouth to cleanse the mind
The vast majority of sheep
A buttoned collar, starched and bleached
Constricting veins, the blood flow to the brain slows
They're so fuckin' ordinary white
We're better off this way
Say what you're gonna say
So go ahead and label me
An asshole cause I can
Accept responsibility, for what I've done
But not for who I am
Don't call me white, Don't call me white
Don't call me white, Don't call me white
")
07/21/09
The founder of my WoW guild (The Spreading Taint) was supposed to be on the panel, but somehow there was a mixup. So I'm glad that he got a shout-out.
I also miss Flynn, but it's good to know he's still out there doing his thing.
07/20/09
07/20/09
It's like if I spelled the N word with three g's instead and then tried to convince my next door neighbor it was ok to call his daughters that. Good luck to me.
11/28/09
07/20/09
http://current.com/items/89329228_gaymers.htm
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07/21/09
I spent a large part of my teenage years fighting for gay rights. And even though I don't have as much time to do so as an adult, I still contribute to the cause when I have the opportunity. So believe me when I say that I've met more than my share of that type of idiot.
I know that it's a bit hypocritical of me to be preaching tolerance and calling people "idiots" in the same sentence, but I've just about lost my patience with people who insist on being hateful for essentially no reason.
While I'm not gay myself, the majority of my friends are (yes, awkward moments do arise) and I constantly see appalling displays of intolerance. It just blows my mind that in an age where it's widely understood that sexism and racism are wholly unacceptable, people are still openly discriminant of GLBTs.
07/21/09
Either way, get a bunch of people like this together in a lobby and add someone with a gay gamertag and you will see some serious intolerance.
My response to this problem was to stop ANY sexual preference referencing going on in XBL. It's sadly impossible for Microsoft (or anyone else) to change the attitudes of these people, so remove the catalyst.
I do now feel a bit sad that that was my response, it's rational, but let's face it, it's not very sympathetic. My honest opinion is that people should be free to express who they are wherever they like.
Sadly "fAgHaTer18" will want to express himself too.
07/21/09
07/20/09
But if I would be acted upon I would feel really awkward and do something irrational. Just the same way as if a guy randomly kissed an unsuspecting girl. She (probably would but things vary) take offense.
The only thing that still bothers me about some gay people is there need to overly flaunt that they are gay. I mean if your gay thats fine, but I dont really care I mean I just find it annoying to excessively show your sexuality. I dont have it yelled across the world that I am straight and I dont plan to.
*This is just a personal annoyance but, I dislike it when people get mad at using the term gay to make a joke. I mean I rarely get offended about anything.(once again i realize this is just me) So i cant stand people that get offended over every. little. thing. I mean its a joke im pretty sure there are some jokes you could make about me due to my skin color or hell anything else.
(Just my two cents throw it in a well if you wish.)
07/20/09
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07/21/09
There's always a fair amount of debate in the gay community over those who 'overly flaunt that they are gay'. The queens are rejected by a number of groups -- tremendously hypocritical in my view, as it's a microcosm of the way the wider community treats all gays. Civilisation is always going to be full of subgroups nested within subgroups; everyone belongs to at least one. The only honest approach is to live and let live.
07/21/09
Perhaps if you understood why this happens, you'd be less likely to be annoyed by it?
07/20/09
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07/20/09
They are no different from normal people, just their sexual preference. Liking men is not a contact disease, talking to them is not going to make you all of a sudden interested in men. They are not going to try to touch, I mean would you go up to a girl and just grab her more private areas? if you are a sane person probably not. Same logic applies here.
Racism and Homophobia will not go away in my life time I feel. Not on the internet where you are afforded an anonymous voice. One needs to learn how to accept things for how they are, rather then trying to stick with a norm. The idea of liking a man is so socially "different" it "threatens" the norms of society which is a reason why you have people fearmongering or angermongering at the very thought.
07/20/09
07/20/09
Is there a transcript or video somewhere? Because, honestly, the only thing I love more than hearing myself talk is hearing someone else talk about me.
Did they use my video, too, perchance? I bet that kid calling me a faggot every ten seconds didn't bank on it hitting the internet.
07/20/09
07/21/09
Anyone found to be displaying that kind of behavior should just have their gold subscription permanently removed.
07/20/09
Personally: I have no problem with people using "that's so gay" and others just as long as they understand that there is nothing wrong with being gay. It's also a perfectly good word to refer to gay people.
07/20/09
07/20/09
Seriously?
...
Ya know what, Imma let this one go...
07/20/09
Can someone please close the innuendo? It's a bit drafty in here.
07/20/09
Not because he is gay, but because he is a silent killer who can turn invisible and throw knives at people.
Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy 7 is straight, and I hate Cloud Strife.
Not because he is straight, but because he's a whiny bitch who needs to learn how to get over things and stop acting like a 4 year old.
I personally don't mind the sexual orientation of my game characters. Hell, not my singers or actors too (Judas Priest ftw!) There are some people out there who will mind, and they will always mind, because of the social impacts religion had on our society. I think it comes to a point where we all have to accept no matter how much you tell some people, they will not understand you and will always be against you. This of course doesn't mean you would stop fighting for equality in things like marriage rights, but honestly there will always be people on Xbox Live going "HEY FAGG0TZ U GUYS R NOOBS GO DIE GO DIE GO DIE."
The one thing that bothers me is that people try to get defensive about using the terms gay in slang. It annoys the hell out of me when I'm ignorant because I said "That is some gay stuff man." or something. No, I'm not homophobic, I don't hate gays, I walked around with No on 8 signs for goodness sake, a simple slang term that has been changed to mean something else completely shouldn't determine someones entire person. Yeah, just had to say that.
So personally, I believe that if you can handle a characters traits responsibly, you can make him marketable to any radiance.
Imagine if Snake was gay, but it wasn't revealed to the end of the game, and it wasn't laid on people with tutu's and crap, but rather a mature situation with him and his partner. Yes, people would be shocked, but would they like Solid Snake any less? For me personally, no, after all he has done throughout the game he would still be the same amazing character, to some that could change their whole perspective, but I guarantee you it will be a better reaction then something like those two dudes from God Hand.
07/20/09
On a side note...I think you totally just spoiled the ending of the next Metal Gear game...
07/20/09
To me that's the same as if somebody said "that's so faggoty" or something similar.
Having something that defines who/what you are as an individual be used as a pejorative is wrong imo.
I used to use gay as a pejorative quite a bit, so I know what you're trying to say. I did it just because all my friends did, and still do occasionally. However, I'm trying to catch that and use that word less.
07/20/09
Maybe it's just that gay guys are so normal to me I don't really use that to classify them, I know gay people, if you asked me to tell you about them I probably wouldn't mention it unless you asked, because I wouldn't even think about it.
Basically, when I think homosexual men, I think Judas Priest (AWESOME RIGHT?) and when I hear the word gay, I think of being forced to play Super Man 64 during my break time of testing E.T.
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07/20/09
The only thing I worry about is for those people that cannot differentiate between gay as 'innocent' slang and gay as homosexuals. The ones who may actually think to themselves, "Gosh, if gay means something negative, like stupid, then that must mean gay people are something negative." And then start associating both concepts as something negative and to be disliked, ridiculed, or worse. But other than that concern, like I said, I have no real issue.
07/20/09
And the star commentators, while sometimes veering off the golden road, have proven to be a dependable bunch in times of need, and in dire straits of discussion in the community in general.
Off my head, [bialia, Curse_Lily, excel_excel, Masterdex, the7k (a recent newcomer from Jan!), LIIusionX, Komrade Kayce, Witzbold, Archaotic, and BubbleF**kingBuddy (my condolences for not being able to change your name anymore!)] for Kotaku. In Gizmodo, there exists OMG! Ponies (perhaps the greatest commentor to have lived), and his pal GitEmSteveDave, and Kaiser-Machead, and some others which are equally important. And don't forget about the multinationals! (I'm looking at you, fuchikoma.) Apologies if I forgot anyone's names.
Sorry, Joystiq/Engadget, but this is why I love Kotaku. Well, that, and your crappy commenting system compared to the Gawker Network. (And hats off to the Lifehacker and Gizmodo community, as well! Kudos to everyone for making this such a better place to comment in!)
07/20/09
07/20/09
I'd much rather get the apples from a reputable source than have to hand pick em myself.
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07/20/09
I have no problem w/ trash talking with your buddies, it is all in fun. But with complete strangers you should have the sense not to use such hateful language.