Xbox Live’s Gay Gamertag Purge Incites Gay & Lesbian Gaming Sites
By Shawn on Sunday, May 25th, 2008 at 6:48 PM PST In Game Companies, Game Consoles, Game Platforms, Gamer Life, Microsoft, Microsoft
There’s been a lot outcry over Microsoft banning an Xbox Live gamertag, TheGayerGamer. To be fair, XBL has also banned another gamertag, RichardGaywood. Unfortunately, that screen name isn’t a reference to the player’s life style; it’s his real name.
Gay & Lesbian gaming sites have started to weigh in on the debate. GamePolitics as usual is right on top of the protests.
Lesbian Gamers has an article up condemning MS for equating the word “gay” with sex.
I’ve taken a few deep breathes, run this story over in my mind again and again and yet still return to the same annoying factor: Why does ‘gay’ automatically equate to sex or “of a sexual nature” and carry with it such negative and deviant overtones…
I can understand Microsoft are trying to protect users, but perhaps there needs to be some tabled debate as to what they’re protecting whom from and what they’re perpetuating in the process. Linking ‘gay’ to some negative or sexually explicit content merely fans the fires of homophobia.
GayGamer has also come out in defense of Mr. Gaywood although the author admits “it’s not the smartest idea to put your real name as your gamertag, for identity theft reasons.”
I’m somewhat on the fence with the issue, having played many MMORPGs and seeing the many annoying and disturbing names that can come from idle minds on the internets, and it seems as if Microsoft is putting up the normal “we can’t make exceptions” defense…
All of this, however, is greatly outweighed by the fact that it is his given name, and despite the connotations it may carry with it, he lives with that name everyday…
Unfortunately, I would have to say that its too late to save the word “gay.” Its traditional meaning has been all but forgotten. Most kids can’t sing certain Christmas carols or listen to West Side Story without breaking into fits of laughter.
As for Richard Gaywood, he’s better off picking a gamertag that doesn’t use his actual name. It’s a huge personal security risk that no one should take.
via GamePolitics
Americans, dude. The world laughs at us. Brazil has separate bathrooms for he-shes, while US prudes uo here can’t stand to hear the word “gay” or even see a “gay kiss” between two CHARACTERS IN A GAME without getting our grannie panties in a bunch. Land of the free? My ass. Our oil costing more than ever because we’re fighting for freedom? My balls.
I guess I better tell my friend E. Fagget that his business is not welcome on XBL. Some people have to live with names they are both proud of and ashamed of at the same time. I wasn’t that unfortunate, but many friends of mine have been. Microsoft already dominates the PC and console gaming (for now), why do they have to try to supress a gamer’s pride in the name they were given or the lifestyle they follow. As a straight and open minded individual, I am offended by Microsoft’s efforts to stiffle either type of expression. For such a brilliant group of individuals, they are ridiculously closed minded.
Wow, you know they didn’t ban him right? Just asked him to change his gamertag.
Reminds me of a funny joke I heard recently….
Whats the difference between a microwave and a fag? The microwave doesn’t fart when you take the meat out!
Now, thats sum funny stuff.
Who cares….honestly
“Americans, dude. The world laughs at us”
Well there are several thing you can do about that
Kill yourself because ur a moron.
Im sure you enjoy playing on that consol that designed by americans, living in that house with AC while playing games designed by americans, non of this would be possible without the freedoms we have, how many games came out of brazil? you can keep ur separate bathrooms you assclown, ill stick with being an american
Hey guys.
I don’t like the fact the names were banned, as I have no problem with the homosexual lifestyle. However, it was a purely business decision as I see it. Mom and Dad probably don’t want their 8-14 year old children exposed to alternative lifestyles while they’re playing video games. Were they to be, less parents would purchase consoles/games, and Microsoft’s revenue would decrease. I think this is much less a subjective/moral decision that was made, and more a maximization of net income. Just my $0.02.