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Woman Banned From Xbox Live for Identifying as Lesbian
A former Xbox Live user has been banned by Microsoft because her profile stated that she was a lesbian, according to a report in The Consumerist.
Identifying herself only as Teresa, the woman told her story in an e-mail to the site, reading, "[My] account was suspended because I had said in my profile that I was a lesbian." This should not come as a total surprise to anybody who recalls the story of the (admittedly) unfortunately named Richard Gaywood, who was banned from the service last year due to his user name -- 'RichardGaywood.' But this story goes one step further, as Teresa claims she was being harassed online by other gamers. In her e-mail, she wrote, "They followed me into the games and told all the other players to turn me in because they didn't want to see that crap or their kids to see that crap."
Following The Consumerist's lead, reporters from Ars Technica went to Microsoft for comment. Read the company's surprising official response after the break:
"[A] member may not create a gamertag or use text in other profile fields that include comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate content of a potentially sexual nature," an unapologetic Microsoft spokesperson told Ars Technica. "In regards to sexual orientation, for gamertags or profiles we do not allow expression of any type of orientation, be that hetero or other. Players can, however, self identify in voice communication where context is more easily explained to all players involved."
In an interview yesterday with MTV News, however, Microsoft's program manager for policy and enforcement on Xbox Live, Stephen Toulouse, admitted that his employer's solution is "inelegant," citing that the textbox field when creating gamertags is "freeform," meaning the only option the company has is to kick folks off if they seemingly violate the policy. MTV's Stephen Totilo then suggested that Microsoft simply add a sexual orientation field to player's profiles. Toulouse is taking the suggestion under advisement.
| Yes | |
|---|---|
| No | |
| I'm not sure. |
Well, folks, we've been privvy to some of that "voice communication" over Xbox LIVE and, let us assure you, we haven't exactly heard anybody talking about Bible study on there. Anyway, protective parents and prudes may now rejoice -- your delicate eyes will no longer be burned by reading "lesbian" or "gay" while you virtually tromp through a dystopic world, cussing out strangers and blowing their heads off.
Besides, since when does 'lesbian' or 'gay' mean (just) sex, anyway? We thought it was all about love, too, as evidenced by the massive movement to legalize gay marriage in this country would have us believe. Dirty visions are in the eyes of the beholder, no? Or maybe just Microsoft's policy makers.
According to an update on Joystiq, there is some possibility of change. Toulouse on his blog writes that the company is mulling over updating the policy, which is probably a good idea since the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has also started to make some noise.
[From: The Consumerist, Joystiq, MTV Multiplayer Blog, GLAAD, and Ars Technica]
Are These Games Too Sexy?
While recent game titles have attracted media attention for nudity and sexual situations, risque role-playing games have existed since PC gaming first began. Early games, such as 'Sex Games' for the Commodore 64, demanded specific commands, such as "remove pants," and required specific sequential actions to achieve one's nefarious goals. Currently, a plethora of games with bawdy scenes have invaded, or graced, the gaming world and vary in degrees of lewdness. Here are a few significant titles with prevalent or graphic bawdiness:
'God of War I & II:'
Press the right buttons, and gently twirl the thumbstick, to see the climax of mini-games in both God of War I and II for PS2 and PSP
'Grand Theft Auto III (consoles)'
The infamous "don't come a knockin'" prostitute scenes created a stir when GTA 3 was originally released for PS2.
'Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude; Box Office or Bust' (for consoles):
These most recent incarnations continue to follow the exploits of love lorn Larry in versions for both PC and next gen consoles
'Leisure Suit Larry 3: Passionate in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals' (for PC)
Released in 1989 for PCs, this third installment of the groundbreaking franchise of risque role playing preceded GTA 4 by 20 years when the title character shows the full Larry in an infamous shower scene
'Mass Effect:'
The backlash from FoxNews greatly exaggerated the tame innuendo and implied relations between the two sapphic lovers in Xbox's Mass Effect.
'Playboy: The Mansion' (consoles):
Disappointingly demure, perhaps the highlight of this sojourn to the mansion is playing photographer in this release for PC, PS2 and Xbox
'Rapelay:'
Amazon removed listings for this disturbing, yet readily available in Japan, DVD-ROM in which the main character stalks and, to put it mildly, torments young girls.
'The Sims;' nude patch:
Denisons of young gamers were disappointed when learning that unblurred nudity in this game for PCs, consoles, and handhelds required downloading a censor patch
'Soul Calibur' (consoles):
The character Taki from the Soul Calibur franchise continues to titillate thousands of pubescent gamers in versions for every console.
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Comments
85
Subscribe to commentsgiffFeb 27th 2009 11:38AM
"love thy neighbor as thyself" unless of course, they're gay, lesbian, evolutionist, islamic, buddhist, hindu, jewish or just plain different...then of course it's okay to oppress them, kill them in the name of a crusade, or deny them rights...
therein lies the hypocrisy of the christian message...they want everyone to "be like them" in a Borg like mentality...they have no space for difference because they fear it...there is no understanding that others have a different lifestyle and are entitled to it...according to them anyone who is different is just 'wrong'
no wonder people rail against that christianity
NewmoonlmtFeb 27th 2009 12:38PM
Amen, Giff.
WhitelabFeb 27th 2009 1:03PM
Hold on a second- who says it was "Christians" who did this? Much more likely it was just generally ignorant people. There is no hypocrisy in the Christian message - just hypocrisy in the way some people interpret or misunderstand it. Christianity gets a bad name just because some people behave in an ignorant manner under the "Christian" name. A bit like those "Muslims" who indiscriminately blow people up, or the "communists" who get rich at the expense of their countrymen. You get the idea...
Anyway, I can kind of see Microsoft's point - as long as it is a blanket ban on any form of remotely sexual username if xbox live is supposed to be a family environment. Why feel the need to make a statement with your username? It's just going to attract attention and abuse from all those ignorant people and interfere with your gameplay...
freedom lossFeb 28th 2009 12:05AM
why are you playing the victim. I think you are starting hate and I feel terrorized by your comments against chiristians or any one that do not think/feel.. etc the same way as you..
D. EasthomFeb 27th 2009 10:31PM
No, you are wrong. Christains do love their neighbor as themselves.
We do love each, no matter what they call themselves, look like, act like, etc.
Even Jesus gives us a CHOICE.
We love our children too, but we don't always like their behavior or choices.Nor do we have to agree with it.
DE
moderateFeb 27th 2009 10:42PM
Have you ever heard so much uneducated frightened ignorance.
comisar99Feb 28th 2009 1:15AM
you are right, I stand with freedom of thought and speech
Former sailorFeb 28th 2009 1:40AM
"Giff:" I agree: don't you just HATE it when someone hates, criticizes, and generally condemns all people of a different belief/lifestyle, such as gays, lesbians, Muslims......Christians!?
The biggest hypocrites, of course, are people like you, who condemn an entire religion about which they obviously know nothing, judging from their (YOUR) uncalled-for, vitriolic, hate-filled statements! You are way off base, and owe an apology to all Christians.
Bill520Feb 28th 2009 2:16AM
As oppose to Islamist who don't want any of that, they just want to cut you freeking head off
Bill520Feb 28th 2009 3:20AM
She was not banned because she was a lesbian, she was banned because she broke their rule of member creating a gamertag or use text in other profile fields that include comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate content of a potentially sexual nature.
If I used the name tag The heterosexualmale I would have been banned to, and not because I am a heterosexual male but because I broke their rule on creating a gamertag or use text in other profile fields that include comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate content of a potentially sexual nature.
DONFeb 28th 2009 11:26AM
WHAT CRAP, HOMOPHOBES AND MORONS. LIVE AND LET LIVE.
YOUR KIDS NEED MORE THAN NOT TO SEE THE WORD LESBIAN, MOST OF THEM CANNOT READ LIKE THEIR PARENTS, WHO STILL PLAY VIDEOGAMES THEMSELVES.
p.s If the words are too big for you to understand use a dictionary.;
MadMikeFeb 27th 2009 1:06PM
That's just stupid. She should sue Microsoft.
watdafukFeb 27th 2009 8:24PM
She should sue for what ? Her right to post perverted, disgusting, deviant screen names and not to have to abide by the rules like the rest of us. Yea just whine and cry some gay rights group will cry with you and make them change the rules for you. Worked great in California.
MichelleFeb 27th 2009 9:46PM
I'm with you!
zadFeb 27th 2009 8:29PM
Personally I am thankful for Xbox live's stance on this. Its about time someone took a stand. I say GOOD FOR THEM and how do I support them best with my $$?
testing realityFeb 27th 2009 10:16PM
maybe she should get her friends and push things a bit ... how about her adult male openly pedifile friends try to join the girl scouts ...
anyone who has children of course will scream bloody murder as they should when this stupid dyke comes on and tries to flaunt her homosexuality and push it on little children ... she is sick
our government and courts should look at this too and create penalties for people who attack the hearts and minds of little children with sick behavior !
moderateFeb 27th 2009 10:40PM
Spoken like a real inbred ignorant uneducated christian
KASFeb 27th 2009 9:10PM
Know when to fold 'em .. know when to hold 'em..
OR
Know when to keep your big mouth shut !
Not everyone is interested, in your bedroom antics
freedom lossFeb 28th 2009 3:48AM
I guess you either don't have kids or raised any.....
GregFeb 27th 2009 9:27PM
It's just stupid. WHO CARES if you are gay or not? Why must people put such importance on their sexuality. I mean, do straight people on XBox need to announce they are straight? Get over it. Playing video games has nothing to do with who you choose to sleep with!