Xbox Live Now Includes LGBT Sexual Signifiers

After banning an Xbox Live user for identifying herself as a lesbian on her profile, Microsoft, a year later, has apparently changed its asexual stance, and has opened its doors to diversity. As Arstechnica reports, Xbox Live users can now choose from a list of preapproved adjectives to describe their sexual preference or relationship, including Gay, Bi, Straight, Transgender or Lesbian. In a letter to all Xbox Live brethren, general manager Mark Whitten explained the decision, saying that complaints and feedback played a major role in deciding to enhance and promote the diversity of "the people that make up this amazing community." According to Whitten, the original rule prohibiting the use of "expressions of self-identification" was instituted to "prevent the use of these terms as insults or slurs." While users will now be able to choose from a range of relationship options, the new openness also "comes hand-in-hand with increased stringency and enforcement" aimed at preventing any "misuse of these terms."

Of course, there are far more important civil rights issues in the world than the freedom of Xbox Live users, but it's still a significant step in its own right -- especially considering Microsoft's pathetic reasoning behind its previous policy. As in all digital forums, some protective measures probably do need to be taken to prevent harassment or hate speech. But banning any form of sexual identification was only Microsoft's polite way of telling its Xbox users that they're not mature enough to "handle" diversity. In the year 2010, this should've never been a story to begin with. From now on, at least, it hopefully won't be. [From: Arstechnica]

Tags: gay, gay rights, GayRights, lgbt, top, xbox live, XboxLive