News Bot
03-02-2009, 01:10 PM
http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/bglt.jpg
Dear Sarcastic Gamer Readers,
I have received a TON of email and other communication regarding some of my tweets (http://twitter.com/DocAdams), posts, and podcast remarks (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2009/03/episode-76-lonos-wii-fit.html) regarding the alleged banning of a young woman from Xbox Live for posting her sexual orientation in her Xbox Live profile.
The problem with this whole situation is that it might not have even happened.* The Consumerist certainly got their pageviews over this whole affair (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/consumerist-self-identified-lesbian-banned-from-xbox-live/), (That links to Joystiq… safe) but to this point there’s been no proof, and no one has come forward to accept Microsoft’s offer to help get to the bottom of this situation.
I think we all got a little hyper-sensitive, and I may have been the biggest offender.
As an older brother to a sister who is a lesbian, and as a steadfast friend to several gay dudes, I can’t help being a little defensive.* I know what they’ve been through, and continue to go through as a result of their orientation, which I do feel is an attribute no different than hair color, or ear size.
So, I got a little worked up.
Now I have decided to take my cues from a source that I trust on this issue.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (http://glaadblog.org/2009/02/26/xbox-live-homophobia-and-online-gaming-policy/) has spoken out about this situation, and it’s not what you think it is.* In its blog post (http://glaadblog.org/2009/02/26/xbox-live-homophobia-and-online-gaming-policy/) last week, which was shared with me via Twitter from “Sage,” they do the opposite of what I might expect from an organization that exists to root out these types of alleged incidents.
They downplayed it.
As they point out, literally nothing about this situation has been proven, and the Consumerist’s source is still identified only as “Teresa.”
GLAAD goes on to point out that Microsoft has gone to great lengths to pursue a positive relationship with the organization and those it represents.
Since the beginning of this year, GLAAD has been in active conversations with Microsoft, specifically with Stephen Tolouse, about XBox Live and how their policies affect LGBT people. The conversations actually began as a result of work GLAAD did around the launch of Sony’s beta for it’s new online virtual world, Playstation Home.
At the end of 2008, when Sony launched the beta for Playstation Home, we fielded concerns from GLAAD supporters that the system was not LGBT friendly. It was being reported to us that when people used the chat feature and would type in certain words like “gay” or “lesbian”, they would come up as asterisks like “***” or “*******.” Typing and sending “I am gay” would actually send “I am ***.” Also, people found they were banned from using a similar set of words to name “clubs” in the virtual world.
I have heard a lot of very brief arguments against my stance that those words (Gay, Lesbian) ought not be banned, as it insinuates that there is something wrong with them.* It’s also perfectly acceptable for me to say that I am straight in my profile, a word with a lot smaller likelihood of being used in an inflammatory or hateful way.
My opinion on this hasn’t changed, meaning that I still think everyone should have an equal opportunity to express themselves in any social network that truly wishes to be seen as a platform for individuality, a goal that XBL has taken some pretty impressive steps towards with the NXE that launched this past Fall.* At this point, I am beginning to recognize the need for restraint.
Though social networks are nothing new, Xbox Live is sailing some uncharted waters here.* It is without question the largest and most successful program of its type, and being the first console-based SN of any real impact, it must also be the first to deal with a lot of situations.* In this case, the question is:
What role, if any, should a person’s sexuality play in their ability to express themselves and virtually exist on Xbox Live?
My answer to that is simple.
An equal one.
If someone can’t discuss being gay or lesbian, then their straight peers ought not be allowed to either.* I haven’t seen anyone sporting the phrase “StraightAndProud” as a gamertag, so the point of all of this might just be…. nothing.
If we’re “not there yet” then we’re “not there yet,”* just so long as the playing field is completely level, it’s something that, while disappointing, I am willing to hear.
I do agree that XBL is no place for sexually explicit behavior, however where I seem to differ with some of my “fans” via email is that I do not consider orientation to be even remotely explicit.
At the end of the day, I think what I am saying here is that we all just need to calm down a bit about this alleged event, given that we have almost nothing to go on, other than an anonymous source from a blog, who may just have been a victim of a “feedback attack” by users, and not by a company that would have no reason to behave in the manner that Microsoft has been accused of.
I can’t help but wonder if MS isn’t at a crossroads here.* With so many people from so many walks of life entering the online gaming/movie/music arena, perhaps a sort of split in the XBL service might be in order.* Maybe the whole “Pro/Recreational” user designation that, until now has been one of the most meaningless attributes in a gamer profile, could actually help, by allowing the user to choose whether they want to keep it strictly G, PG, or R.
I have no problem with them doing whatever they want with their service, as long as the policies are just as strictly enforced on ALL members, and not a select group, who already have enough hate to deal with, without worrying about it invading their gaming space.
I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to respectfully express their opinions on this matter.* This has been a very eye-opening topic for me, and I hope for you, as we all come to realize just how diverse the gaming universe has become.* As that diversity grows, I look forward to sound decisions from both Sony and Microsoft that foster individuality, the keystone in any successful social network experience.
Best,
Doc
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?d=yIl2AUoC8zA (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:yIl2AU oC8zA) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?d=dnMXMwOfBR0 (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:dnMXMw OfBR0) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?i=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:gIN9vF wOqvQ (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:gIN9vF wOqvQ) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?i=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:V_sGLi PBpWU (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:V_sGLi PBpWU) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?d=qj6IDK7rITs (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:qj6IDK 7rITs) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?i=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:F7zBnM yn0Lo (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:F7zBnM yn0Lo) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?i=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:D7DqB2 pKExk (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:D7DqB2 pKExk) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?d=7Q72WNTAKBA (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:7Q72WN TAKBA) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?d=l6gmwiTKsz0 (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:l6gmwi TKsz0)
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/TheSarcasticGamer/~4/UYC3K_5SoPc
Click here to view the article. (http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSarcasticGamer/~3/UYC3K_5SoPc/regarding-lesbians-on-xbox-live.html)
Dear Sarcastic Gamer Readers,
I have received a TON of email and other communication regarding some of my tweets (http://twitter.com/DocAdams), posts, and podcast remarks (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2009/03/episode-76-lonos-wii-fit.html) regarding the alleged banning of a young woman from Xbox Live for posting her sexual orientation in her Xbox Live profile.
The problem with this whole situation is that it might not have even happened.* The Consumerist certainly got their pageviews over this whole affair (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/consumerist-self-identified-lesbian-banned-from-xbox-live/), (That links to Joystiq… safe) but to this point there’s been no proof, and no one has come forward to accept Microsoft’s offer to help get to the bottom of this situation.
I think we all got a little hyper-sensitive, and I may have been the biggest offender.
As an older brother to a sister who is a lesbian, and as a steadfast friend to several gay dudes, I can’t help being a little defensive.* I know what they’ve been through, and continue to go through as a result of their orientation, which I do feel is an attribute no different than hair color, or ear size.
So, I got a little worked up.
Now I have decided to take my cues from a source that I trust on this issue.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (http://glaadblog.org/2009/02/26/xbox-live-homophobia-and-online-gaming-policy/) has spoken out about this situation, and it’s not what you think it is.* In its blog post (http://glaadblog.org/2009/02/26/xbox-live-homophobia-and-online-gaming-policy/) last week, which was shared with me via Twitter from “Sage,” they do the opposite of what I might expect from an organization that exists to root out these types of alleged incidents.
They downplayed it.
As they point out, literally nothing about this situation has been proven, and the Consumerist’s source is still identified only as “Teresa.”
GLAAD goes on to point out that Microsoft has gone to great lengths to pursue a positive relationship with the organization and those it represents.
Since the beginning of this year, GLAAD has been in active conversations with Microsoft, specifically with Stephen Tolouse, about XBox Live and how their policies affect LGBT people. The conversations actually began as a result of work GLAAD did around the launch of Sony’s beta for it’s new online virtual world, Playstation Home.
At the end of 2008, when Sony launched the beta for Playstation Home, we fielded concerns from GLAAD supporters that the system was not LGBT friendly. It was being reported to us that when people used the chat feature and would type in certain words like “gay” or “lesbian”, they would come up as asterisks like “***” or “*******.” Typing and sending “I am gay” would actually send “I am ***.” Also, people found they were banned from using a similar set of words to name “clubs” in the virtual world.
I have heard a lot of very brief arguments against my stance that those words (Gay, Lesbian) ought not be banned, as it insinuates that there is something wrong with them.* It’s also perfectly acceptable for me to say that I am straight in my profile, a word with a lot smaller likelihood of being used in an inflammatory or hateful way.
My opinion on this hasn’t changed, meaning that I still think everyone should have an equal opportunity to express themselves in any social network that truly wishes to be seen as a platform for individuality, a goal that XBL has taken some pretty impressive steps towards with the NXE that launched this past Fall.* At this point, I am beginning to recognize the need for restraint.
Though social networks are nothing new, Xbox Live is sailing some uncharted waters here.* It is without question the largest and most successful program of its type, and being the first console-based SN of any real impact, it must also be the first to deal with a lot of situations.* In this case, the question is:
What role, if any, should a person’s sexuality play in their ability to express themselves and virtually exist on Xbox Live?
My answer to that is simple.
An equal one.
If someone can’t discuss being gay or lesbian, then their straight peers ought not be allowed to either.* I haven’t seen anyone sporting the phrase “StraightAndProud” as a gamertag, so the point of all of this might just be…. nothing.
If we’re “not there yet” then we’re “not there yet,”* just so long as the playing field is completely level, it’s something that, while disappointing, I am willing to hear.
I do agree that XBL is no place for sexually explicit behavior, however where I seem to differ with some of my “fans” via email is that I do not consider orientation to be even remotely explicit.
At the end of the day, I think what I am saying here is that we all just need to calm down a bit about this alleged event, given that we have almost nothing to go on, other than an anonymous source from a blog, who may just have been a victim of a “feedback attack” by users, and not by a company that would have no reason to behave in the manner that Microsoft has been accused of.
I can’t help but wonder if MS isn’t at a crossroads here.* With so many people from so many walks of life entering the online gaming/movie/music arena, perhaps a sort of split in the XBL service might be in order.* Maybe the whole “Pro/Recreational” user designation that, until now has been one of the most meaningless attributes in a gamer profile, could actually help, by allowing the user to choose whether they want to keep it strictly G, PG, or R.
I have no problem with them doing whatever they want with their service, as long as the policies are just as strictly enforced on ALL members, and not a select group, who already have enough hate to deal with, without worrying about it invading their gaming space.
I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to respectfully express their opinions on this matter.* This has been a very eye-opening topic for me, and I hope for you, as we all come to realize just how diverse the gaming universe has become.* As that diversity grows, I look forward to sound decisions from both Sony and Microsoft that foster individuality, the keystone in any successful social network experience.
Best,
Doc
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?d=yIl2AUoC8zA (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:yIl2AU oC8zA) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?d=dnMXMwOfBR0 (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:dnMXMw OfBR0) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?i=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:gIN9vF wOqvQ (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:gIN9vF wOqvQ) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?i=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:V_sGLi PBpWU (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:V_sGLi PBpWU) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?d=qj6IDK7rITs (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:qj6IDK 7rITs) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?i=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:F7zBnM yn0Lo (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:F7zBnM yn0Lo) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?i=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:D7DqB2 pKExk (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:D7DqB2 pKExk) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?d=7Q72WNTAKBA (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:7Q72WN TAKBA) http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?d=l6gmwiTKsz0 (http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/TheSarcasticGamer?a=UYC3K_5SoPc:Lhqtv9Ye8CM:l6gmwi TKsz0)
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/TheSarcasticGamer/~4/UYC3K_5SoPc
Click here to view the article. (http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSarcasticGamer/~3/UYC3K_5SoPc/regarding-lesbians-on-xbox-live.html)