EA Hosting Panel on Homophobia in Gaming

[Foolishman1776]

you didn't wake up one morning and "choose" to like chocolate all of a sudden. even if people do occasionally change sexualities, i'm not sure why that's relevant. it doesn't explain why homosexuals don't deserve the same rights as other players.

Actually, I started liking chocolate pretty much when I started eating it because I couldn't afford anti-depressants. As for why it's relevant, it's the point that even if you don't like something, or like something else you can change your mind. If you prefer relations with the opposite gender, you can choose to enjoy relations with the same gender, and vice-versa; also, I never said people with homosexual preferences don't deserve the same rights.

i never said they were the only ones. i'm not sure why you think i did.

and being "freaked out" is no excuse for harassment. as a straight male, seeing two guys kiss freaks me out. i look away and ignore them. that's all you have to do.

Yes, that's a reasonable response, not many people are reasonable, and as much as I hate to say it; it's people's right to be unreasonable.
.

but there's no reason for gays to make that choice. you choose to go to work because you get paid money for it. i choose to go see doctors because it will improve my health. why should gays choose not to embrace their sexuality?

Because everyone has to make that choice. Why should they not have to make that choice? Part of growing up is learning that you can't always get what you want, and that if you ate a delicious cake, you don't have a pretty cake to look at. The fact of the matter is, if you choose to act in a certain way, people will disapprove of it, some of them will be vocal about it. If you can't handle being different, then don't be, if you're going to be different, accept that there are people who are going to not like you for it.

No one is saying anyone needs to take special steps to protect gays. what people are saying is that policies which are in place to protect everyone need to be enforced consistently for everyone.

As far as I can tell, they have been.

"waiting for someone to ask" is also known as "don't ask, don't tell", and it's a far cry from openness. you know, there's things in between "keeping your mouth shut" and "standing on top of a building with a bullhorn, and a big hammer to pound your lifestyle down someone's throat". what's wrong with someone just saying "i'm gay", without the bullhorn or the hammer?

What's wrong with "don't ask, don't tell"? The point is, why does everyone have to know you're gay? Do you need their approval? If you want to live a certain way, then it shouldn't matter what other people think, especially people you consider small minded and ignorant. Beyond this why should I care who you do what with? It's none of my business, unless you've somehow manage to conceive a child with a member of your own gender then there's no reason I need to know if you're gay or not, it's not important. Basically, people don't need to know, so why tell them?

 

[squid5580]

You state a homosexual individual could not choose to ENJOY straight sex, they are however CAPABLE of it, they have all the right equipment. You seem to think that tastes never change, but I used to HATE chocolate, I mean DESPISE, the mere hint of it made me want to lose my lunch. Now I like chocolate, why is sex different than chocolate? Oh, that's right, so people can play the "oppressed" card. As for one choice being "better" I never placed a value judgment on either, though hetero sex IS the only way to reproduce.

you didn't wake up one morning and "choose" to like chocolate all of a sudden. even if people do occasionally change sexualities, i'm not sure why that's relevant. it doesn't explain why homosexuals don't deserve the same rights as other players.

What, you think homosexuals are the only people experiencing social pressure? As for it being "overwhelming" well, people are freaked out by it, you have to see it from their perspective. I dislike when people toss around the phrases "honest about oneself" or "true to oneself". The fact is, people all over the world act in a manner contrary to how they would like to act, either because of legal or social pressure, don't think that homosexuals are the only ones.

i never said they were the only ones. i'm not sure why you think i did.

and being "freaked out" is no excuse for harassment. as a straight male, seeing two guys kiss freaks me out. i look away and ignore them. that's all you have to do.

Again, I want to state, I am not homophobic, there's lesbian couple living in the next apartment over, we talk a fair bit about politics (civil discussions despite the fact that I'm a moderate and the woman I talk to is decidedly liberal). One of the nicest people I've ever met was a gay man. I am not saying that there's anything wrong with it. I am simply making the point that until homosexuals are unable to reproduce with heterosexuals, it remains a choice. That a person may not enjoy it is immaterial, a person's tastes can change voluntarily or not.

Wow, just wow. So, you're comparing a situation where one may or may not be born liking one thing to a condition that makes a person's brain unable to function properly? You do have a choice, you can choose to do something you don't enjoy, I do that (something I don't enjoy, I mean) every day at work.

but there's no reason for gays to make that choice. you choose to go to work because you get paid money for it. i choose to go see doctors because it will improve my health. why should gays choose not to embrace their sexuality?

No one is saying that it should be okay to harass homosexuals, what people are saying is that why are they so special that we have to take special steps to protect them from hearing anything that upsets them? The measures in place are in place for a reason, there's no need to modify them.

No one is saying anyone needs to take special steps to protect gays. what people are saying is that policies which are in place to protect everyone need to be enforced consistently for everyone.

It comes down to sometimes, you have to not wear your lifestyle on your sleeve. Sometimes if you can't be honest, you can just keep your mouth shut. There's a difference between being openly gay (if someone cares enough to ask) and standing on top of a building with a bullhorn, and a big hammer to pound your lifestyle down someone's throat.

"waiting for someone to ask" is also known as "don't ask, don't tell", and it's a far cry from openness. you know, there's things in between "keeping your mouth shut" and "standing on top of a building with a bullhorn, and a big hammer to pound your lifestyle down someone's throat". what's wrong with someone just saying "i'm gay", without the bullhorn or the hammer?

They are given the same rights as the religious fanatic who believes they can put in thier profile (insert religious view here) who are given the same rights as a hetrosexual who puts in thier profile I am straight. Any one of them could be banned for it. just because

A) you just haven't heard about it because a straight person getting banned for it since it isn't a news story.

or

B) it wasn't reported enough to get banned

is immaterial. MS doesn't monitor every profile since they are constantly changing and rely on the community to point out such infractions. They don't seek out every profile that has something offensive. You could put anything offensive or against the rules in there and get away with it for years. Or you could get banned 5 minutes after putting it in. Just because hers was reported more than the straight one (which personally I have never seen in either case and everyone just assumes that this is how it actually went down. No one has ever considered for a second the straight one could have had just as many reports and got banned just as fast) and people voice thier dissatisfaction about it doesn't mean they are all homophobic. Some might have hit the report button in the best interest of thier community. To keep XBL safe from the raging debate and controversy.

Unfortunately that doesn't help your cause any does it so that can't be the case. Although IMHO the story (not this one the other) being newsworthy in the first place doesn't help your cause either. Unless the Escapist covers every XBL ban for any reason. Cuz where I am sitting the only reason this was considered newsworthy is because she is "special". And being "special" is a far stretch from being equal. You don't get to have it both ways.

 

[cobra_ky]

Okay, see, this is exactly where the "cisgendered heterosexual white males don't understand discrimination" thing comes from.

-- Alex

Why because I can be called something I am not on a forum and it is ok but if I do it over XBL that is different? It is ok for you to hate me because I play on XBL but I can't hate you because you are gay. As far as I am considered hate is hate no matter who it is directed at or why. And name-calling is a far stretch from hate especially in a competetive setting.

no, it's because you think your experiences being called an "x-bot" compares in any way with the discrimination faced by blacks, women, or homosexuals, all of whom have suffered to a far greater degree then either of us ever have.

Yes actually I have given you a valid reason time and time again. It is just that the idea either offends you or you just don't like to accept the fact that the world is the way it is. A controversial subject is controversial as this thread is proof of. I (and I am sure alot of other XBL users) don't log on to have this discussion. I come here or billions of other online sites to do that. MS using wisdom decides well maybe there should be a rule about controversial subjects like this (and many others) not being in one's profile while giving you the user the freedom to not hear anything you find offensive. The very fact that you, I and many others don't think it should be controversial is a non issue. Once the majority of the world accepts it as non controversial then go after MS for it and expect them to change thier policies. Demanding MS to risk thier income first while the rest of the world remains unchanged is ridiculous. They are a business not a minority or special interest group. They should not be expected to be the next Rosa Parks and lead the homosexual civil right movement.

there's no reason people need to have this discussion every time someone's profile has the word "gay" in it. if someone gets offended, and an argument breaks out, then you can go ahead and ban or suspend those involved.

second, i really don't think this will cost microsoft. the net result will be a friendlier Xbox Live that more people will want to use. gay rights are still controversial, yes, but it's a tiny minority who are so vehemently opposed that they'd quit xbox live over it.

and no one's expecting them to lead. people just want them to follow.

And let's clear the air a bit here. The word may offend you but it doesn't mean the person who uses it hates you. It might be easier for you to believe that but it isn't always the case.

that's a comforting thought but i don't really care. it's harassment and abuse and there's no place for that on Xbox Live.

And you have just exposed the biggest problem with a lack of censorship and giving everyone freedom. There are alot of assholes out there. You will hear alot of hate. If you can't accept that then that is your problem. That is the price of freedom. MS has given you the option to mute it. That is alot more than you get out in the real world.

do you really think not censoring profiles will make it that much worse? you even said:

MS doesn't monitor every profile since they are constantly changing and rely on the community to point out such infractions. They don't seek out every profile that has something offensive. You could put anything offensive or against the rules in there and get away with it for years. Or you could get banned 5 minutes after putting it in.

considering the miniscule amount of moderation microsoft does already, why is banning the word "gay" in profiles so vital for the community?

Once again, you're expressing a double standard:

1. if a homosexual can't handle hearing abuse, that's their problem.
2. if a homophobe can't handle hearing that someone is gay, then we should ban the homosexual.

So now that I answered yours are you going to answer mine?

i hope i have.

 

[cobra_ky]

What's wrong with "don't ask, don't tell"?

well, for starters it's weakened america's national security, while simultaneously costing taxpayers over $400 million dollars.

The point is, why does everyone have to know you're gay? Do you need their approval? If you want to live a certain way, then it shouldn't matter what other people think, especially people you consider small minded and ignorant. Beyond this why should I care who you do what with? It's none of my business, unless you've somehow manage to conceive a child with a member of your own gender then there's no reason I need to know if you're gay or not, it's not important. Basically, people don't need to know, so why tell them?

because some people DO want to know, and you have no way of knowing who's interested until you say it. for that matter, you have no idea who's small-minded and ignorant until you say it, either.

 

[squid5580]

Okay, see, this is exactly where the "cisgendered heterosexual white males don't understand discrimination" thing comes from.

-- Alex

Why because I can be called something I am not on a forum and it is ok but if I do it over XBL that is different? It is ok for you to hate me because I play on XBL but I can't hate you because you are gay. As far as I am considered hate is hate no matter who it is directed at or why. And name-calling is a far stretch from hate especially in a competetive setting.

no, it's because you think your experiences being called an "x-bot" compares in any way with the discrimination faced by blacks, women, or homosexuals, all of whom have suffered to a far greater degree then either of us ever have.

Yes actually I have given you a valid reason time and time again. It is just that the idea either offends you or you just don't like to accept the fact that the world is the way it is. A controversial subject is controversial as this thread is proof of. I (and I am sure alot of other XBL users) don't log on to have this discussion. I come here or billions of other online sites to do that. MS using wisdom decides well maybe there should be a rule about controversial subjects like this (and many others) not being in one's profile while giving you the user the freedom to not hear anything you find offensive. The very fact that you, I and many others don't think it should be controversial is a non issue. Once the majority of the world accepts it as non controversial then go after MS for it and expect them to change thier policies. Demanding MS to risk thier income first while the rest of the world remains unchanged is ridiculous. They are a business not a minority or special interest group. They should not be expected to be the next Rosa Parks and lead the homosexual civil right movement.

there's no reason people need to have this discussion every time someone's profile has the word "gay" in it. if someone gets offended, and an argument breaks out, then you can go ahead and ban or suspend those involved.

second, i really don't think this will cost microsoft. the net result will be a friendlier Xbox Live that more people will want to use. gay rights are still controversial, yes, but it's a tiny minority who are so vehemently opposed that they'd quit xbox live over it.

and no one's expecting them to lead. people just want them to follow.

And let's clear the air a bit here. The word may offend you but it doesn't mean the person who uses it hates you. It might be easier for you to believe that but it isn't always the case.

that's a comforting thought but i don't really care. it's harassment and abuse and there's no place for that on Xbox Live.

And you have just exposed the biggest problem with a lack of censorship and giving everyone freedom. There are alot of assholes out there. You will hear alot of hate. If you can't accept that then that is your problem. That is the price of freedom. MS has given you the option to mute it. That is alot more than you get out in the real world.

do you really think not censoring profiles will make it that much worse? you even said:

MS doesn't monitor every profile since they are constantly changing and rely on the community to point out such infractions. They don't seek out every profile that has something offensive. You could put anything offensive or against the rules in there and get away with it for years. Or you could get banned 5 minutes after putting it in.

considering the miniscule amount of moderation microsoft does already, why is banning the word "gay" in profiles so vital for the community?

Once again, you're expressing a double standard:

1. if a homosexual can't handle hearing abuse, that's their problem.
2. if a homophobe can't handle hearing that someone is gay, then we should ban the homosexual.

So now that I answered yours are you going to answer mine?

i hope i have.

1. If anyone (regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation) can't handle the abuse and refuse to use the tools provided that is thier problem. See the difference? That is what I have been saying all along.

Sorry but the definition of discrimination doesn't specifically state any race, gender or sexual orientataion. There is no degrees of hate. Hate is hate end of story. Your discrimination is no more of discrimination than mine. If I am hated because I belong to a group that is discrimination. Equality sucks huh?

And allow me to put forth a scenario that will show yet one more reason why this is a bad idea. I have a little girl who will probably play on XBL sooner or later (she is only a month and a half and I have already made her a XBL acccount). I have already stated I will have no problems allowing her to play on XBL without a mic and headset and I will be monitoring any and all messages she recieves as well as being sure she is prepared mentally before she plays any game. Sucks to be her to have a gaming parent who won't let her play COD 4 at the age of 7 and one that understands the ESRB ratings. It really sucks for her because I will probably play through the games first to be sure they don't have content I don't want her to see.

So one day she is playing on XBL 5 years from now when she recieves a friend request from a person who claims they are a lesbian in thier profile. This is assuming the rule is still the same so I usually wouldn't worry about her getting a friend request and seeing thier profile. This is an example of the conversation that could come from it.

"Daddy what is a lesbian"
"a lesbian is a girl who loves another girl"
"so I am a lesbian since I love mommy?"

Thank you now I am stuck. I can't explain to her the difference between how I love mommy and the way she does without having the talk that I feel she is to young for. I can't tell her that lesbians are different from mommy because that could skew the way she looks at the gay community and I don't want to teach her to be homophobic. And I can't say yes you are since she will be going to school and telling everyone that she is a lesbian which will not end well. Who cares about that though since you get to put it in your profile.

The difference in the real world where she sees 2 lesbians holding hands and making out.

"Daddy why are those 2 girls kissing"
"because they love each other sweetie"
"oh OK"

 

[Alex_P]

1. I am a human and therefore have been discriminated against. May not have been for being gay but does that matter? Even here on the Escapist I have been discriminated against for being an "Xbot". Sad that a person can put you down because of the console you own but it is ok because they aren't doing it because of your sexual orientation.

Okay, see, this is exactly where the "cisgendered heterosexual white males don't understand discrimination" thing comes from.

-- Alex

Why because I can be called something I am not on a forum and it is ok but if I do it over XBL that is different? It is ok for you to hate me because I play on XBL but I can't hate you because you are gay. As far as I am considered hate is hate no matter who it is directed at or why. And name-calling is a far stretch from hate especially in a competetive setting.

Oh right I forgot only homosexuals can be discriminated against. The rest of us have to suck it up and move on. Which is fine except the definition of discrimination is

treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.

It is a 2 way street here. Being gay doesn't make your statements any less discrimitory.

(Hey, chief? I'm not gay. I am -- get this -- a cisgendered heterosexual white male.)

Did you grow up to news stories about a guy beaten to death for liking XBox over PS3?
Is your preference of XBox over PS3 a criminal act in many foreign countries?
Do you fear having friends or family members turn their backs on you if you were to let them know that you prefer XBox over PS3?
Do people habitually protest that just knowing that you prefer XBox over PS3 will corrupt their children?
Did your parents ever try to send you to a special brainwashing camp in the hope that it would make you prefer PS3 over XBox?
Do people assume you have AIDS because you prefer XBox over PS3?
Is there a huge movement within your own country actively campaigning to deny you your rights because you prefer XBox over PS3?

Similarly...
When you move somewhere, do people mumble that you XBox-lovers are ruining the neighborhood?
When you accomplish something, do people just dismiss it by saying that you just got it the easy way because of special consideration for people who prefer XBox over PS3?
Do your parents still harbor insecurities build up during a time when people who preferred XBox over PS3 had to go to their own separate schools?
Do you make less than your co-worker because you prefer XBox while he prefers PS3?
Is it harder for you to get a fair hearing in court because you prefer XBox over PS3?

-- Alex

 

[squid5580]

1. I am a human and therefore have been discriminated against. May not have been for being gay but does that matter? Even here on the Escapist I have been discriminated against for being an "Xbot". Sad that a person can put you down because of the console you own but it is ok because they aren't doing it because of your sexual orientation.

Okay, see, this is exactly where the "cisgendered heterosexual white males don't understand discrimination" thing comes from.

-- Alex

Why because I can be called something I am not on a forum and it is ok but if I do it over XBL that is different? It is ok for you to hate me because I play on XBL but I can't hate you because you are gay. As far as I am considered hate is hate no matter who it is directed at or why. And name-calling is a far stretch from hate especially in a competetive setting.

Oh right I forgot only homosexuals can be discriminated against. The rest of us have to suck it up and move on. Which is fine except the definition of discrimination is

treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.

It is a 2 way street here. Being gay doesn't make your statements any less discrimitory.

(Hey, chief? I'm not gay. I am -- get this -- a cisgendered heterosexual white male.)

Did you grow up to news stories about a guy beaten to death for liking XBox over PS3?
Is your preference of XBox over PS3 a criminal act in many foreign countries?
Do you fear having friends or family members turn their backs on you if you were to let them know that you prefer XBox over PS3?
Do people habitually protest that just knowing that you prefer XBox over PS3 will corrupt their children?
Did your parents ever try to send you to a special brainwashing camp in the hope that it would make you prefer PS3 over XBox?
Do people assume you have AIDS because you prefer XBox over PS3?
Is there a huge movement within your own country actively campaigning to deny you your rights because you prefer XBox over PS3?

Similarly...
When you move somewhere, do people mumble that you XBox-lovers are ruining the neighborhood?
When you accomplish something, do people just dismiss it by saying that you just got it the easy way because of special consideration for people who prefer XBox over PS3?
Do your parents still harbor insecurities build up during a time when people who preferred XBox over PS3 had to go to their own separate schools?
Do you make less than your co-worker because you prefer XBox while he prefers PS3?
Is it harder for you to get a fair hearing in court because you prefer XBox over PS3?

-- Alex

Again it doesn't matter to me why they were discriminated against. Look back a few pages and explain to me how the discrimination I face just because I have long hair (which is quite similar to those listed by some people) but because I am not black or gay it doesn't matter. Hate is hate and discrimination is discrimination. Not every gay person faces the same discrimination as the next. There are some who are openly gay people who have never encountered this discrimination. Because they are gay they could? Because you are human you could.

 

[Alex_P]

Look back a few pages and explain to me how the discrimination I face just because I have long hair (which is quite similar to those listed by some people) but because I am not black or gay it doesn't matter.

That definitely does matter. It's bad, it's a problem, I totally agree with you.

When you lump that in together with console-warring on a forum, though, you're cementing the image of "straight white guy doesn't get it".

-- Alex

 

[cobra_ky]

Again it doesn't matter to me why they were discriminated against. Look back a few pages and explain to me how the discrimination I face just because I have long hair (which is quite similar to those listed by some people) but because I am not black or gay it doesn't matter. Hate is hate and discrimination is discrimination. Not every gay person faces the same discrimination as the next. There are some who are openly gay people who have never encountered this discrimination. Because they are gay they could? Because you are human you could.

the point isn't why they were discriminated against. the point is how much. here's another example: i'm jewish. i've face discrimination and abuse because of my religion. that said, the discrimination i've faced is nothing compared to what jews faced in the holocaust or the spanish inquisition. the reasons for it are the same, but the degree of the discrimination is much worse.

There are some who are openly gay people who have never encountered this discrimination.

really? i've never met any.

 

[squid5580]

Look back a few pages and explain to me how the discrimination I face just because I have long hair (which is quite similar to those listed by some people) but because I am not black or gay it doesn't matter.

That definitely does matter. It's bad, it's a problem, I totally agree with you.

When you lump that in together with console-warring on a forum, though, you're cementing the image of "straight white guy doesn't get it".

-- Alex

No you are misuderstanding (which is probably my fault) I believe there is 2 types of discrimination. On one hand you have the real world discrimination. The effects of that are far reaching like you posted above. People get hurt killed or worse over it. And if you want to discuss that fine I am sure you will find I have a different view on that.

This discussion and panel is not about that though. This is about internet discrimination. Sorry to say you give people anonimity and the ability to say anything they will often times abuse it. So what is the worst that can happen? Your feelings get hurt and you get offended. That is not something reserved for the homosexual community. The internet as a whole discriminates indiscriminately. That is all I was saying when I pointed out how everytime I see "Xbots are all racist homophobes" it hurts, pisses me off and makes me ask WTF all at the same time.

 

[squid5580]

Again it doesn't matter to me why they were discriminated against. Look back a few pages and explain to me how the discrimination I face just because I have long hair (which is quite similar to those listed by some people) but because I am not black or gay it doesn't matter. Hate is hate and discrimination is discrimination. Not every gay person faces the same discrimination as the next. There are some who are openly gay people who have never encountered this discrimination. Because they are gay they could? Because you are human you could.

the point isn't why they were discriminated against. the point is how much. here's another example: i'm jewish. i've face discrimination and abuse because of my religion. that said, the discrimination i've faced is nothing compared to what jews faced in the holocaust or the spanish inquisition. the reasons for it are the same, but the degree of the discrimination is much worse.

There are some who are openly gay people who have never encountered this discrimination.

really? i've never met any.

Maybe you are meeting the wrong people. Or have you met the entire gay community?

 

[Foolishman1776]

well, for starters it's weakened america's national security, while simultaneously costing taxpayers over $400 million dollars.

erm...? That one needs some explaining, I'm not quite clear on how people being quiet about where they like to put their dangly bits is weakening national security.

because some people DO want to know, and you have no way of knowing who's interested until you say it. for that matter, you have no idea who's small-minded and ignorant until you say it, either.

Exactly, so why not let them ask if they really care, or get the latest firmware upgrade for their GADAR or something.

 

[cobra_ky]

well, for starters it's weakened america's national security, while simultaneously costing taxpayers over $400 million dollars.

erm...? That one needs some explaining, I'm not quite clear on how people being quiet about where they like to put their dangly bits is weakening national security.

because otherwise qualified soldiers who aren't quiet are thrown out. the tax payer money used to train them is wasted, as is the money used to recruit and train their replacement. many discharged gay soldiers sue over the policy, and more taxpayer money is spent to defend it.

furthermore, over 50 arabic translators have been discharged because of don't ask don't tell. that reduces our intelligence gathering ability.

Exactly, so why not let them ask if they really care, or get the latest firmware upgrade for their GADAR or something.

so you'd rather have people asking you if you're gay? how is that any better?

 

[Foolishman1776]

because otherwise qualified soldiers who aren't quiet are thrown out. the tax payer money used to train them is wasted, as is the money used to recruit and train their replacement. many discharged gay soldiers sue over the policy, and more taxpayer money is spent to defend it.

furthermore, over 50 arabic translators have been discharged because of don't ask don't tell. that reduces our intelligence gathering ability.

Well, if there's one thing that wastes money incredibly well in this country, it's the United States Military, that I'll admit. Frankly, however, I have no problem with this, the military has a policy, and that policy is to be followed. That it may cause some difficulty or make people unhappy is unfortunate, but that is policy.

As for the translators being fired, in intelligence you want people who can be discreet. If they can't be discreet, then they are a liability. So, from a certain perspective, they were actually improving national security.

so you'd rather have people asking you if you're gay? how is that any better?

Well, first off, I rather doubt that would be a problem for me. I'm ill mannered, care little for my appearance and am generally not the sort one would even have to ask about it. However, that aside, I'd be rather flattered that they were showing the interest but politely inform them of my own preference. I don't have a problem with answering questions, I have a problem with being informed of something I don't really care about when I didn't ask.

 

[Srkkl]

A member of an alternative lifestyle was probably called a '******' on xbox live so he called it gay slandering. I know that when I game that calling people gay and faggots it is not a derogatory statement anymore. Its like typing lol in a chat, it just happens. Look at how black people can walk around calling each other 'nigga' but one white guy does it and is racist. People can ***** about anything. If you get insulted by a few words from someone you have never and probably will never meet, then you have problems. Internet slandering is the norm, nobody really cares if your feelings get hurt, grow a pair and move on. But that doesnt make it right to make it a point to go around and harass people on the internet, because nobody likes a troll. (praying for no rath)

This guy took the words out of my mouth.

I just don't get it. Every time I get on any multi-player game I get at least one message insulting me some how. Now it isn't usually somthing as personal or self defining as somone calling me gay if I actually was, but even if I was gay and somone called me a ****** out of hate because I just whooped his/her as at a game I would shrug it off and laugh. BTW I also understand that there are those jerkoffs out there that "hunt" down certain people to insult them without mercy and I certainly don't condone that.

EDIT: Is it bad that I think its funny as hell that in the picture they used a joy stick.

 

[squid5580]

Again it doesn't matter to me why they were discriminated against. Look back a few pages and explain to me how the discrimination I face just because I have long hair (which is quite similar to those listed by some people) but because I am not black or gay it doesn't matter.

So do you consider any dress code that requires short hair (where safety is not a concern) to be as repugnant as one that requires all workers to be white?

Worse actually. At least if I were dicriminated against if I were black I would have some kind of recourse. You know affirnmative action and all that stuff that makes us all "equal". Alas I am white and hetrosexual therefore I am not special enough. I don't get a special day or a parade.

So one day she is playing on XBL 5 years from now when she recieves a friend request from a person who claims they are a lesbian in thier profile. This is assuming the rule is still the same so I usually wouldn't worry about her getting a friend request and seeing thier profile. This is an example of the conversation that could come from it.

"Daddy what is a lesbian"
"a lesbian is a girl who loves another girl"
"so I am a lesbian since I love mommy?"

Thank you now I am stuck.

Only because you didn't say "a lesbian is a girl who wants to marry another girl."

"Why?"

"Because they love each other sweetie"

"But I love mommy and we aren't married. So what is the difference?"

"They love each other the way I love mommy"

"What is the difference?"