Homosexual Representation

[scnj]

Often, in TV shows, the gay community becomes the butt of many jokes

It's possibly because it's half past 3 in the morning, but this made me giggle a lot. I'm sorry.

As for gay characters, when a character is written as being gay, instead of acting like straight characters, they tend to be written to act camp, such as Bernie Crane in Grand Theft Auto IV. To be completely honest, I am perfectly fine with this. I have several gay friends who played the game and found the character hilarious, and often quote or imitate him. If we can joke about it in an inoffensive manner, it's probably a step towards total acceptance as opposed to away from it.

 

[SinisterDeath]

Enchanted Arms.
Clearly Homosexual Character.
Clearly tranny.
And was so fucking annoying, when he died, you CHEERED. However this isn't a the japanese people saying 'homos need to die'. Nah, this was a plot event, and the guy being so annoying and making you cheer was made not so we wouldn't grow an 'affection' for the character and be 'saddened' by there loss. It had a far more villianous reason, and if you played the game, you will know what I'm talking about. They take the one joy you had from the game away!

 

[aperpheldy]

In the media today, I find that their is a huge lack of "normal" homosexual couples. Often, in TV shows, the gay community becomes the butt of many jokes, or gay and lesbian characters are often cliche. In games, they are simply absent. I am yet to play a game which features a homosexual couple that are just normal people.

Do you think that adding "normal" representations of gay people in game, or in fact the general media, will make society more accepting? Is this a need?

The only problem with that statement is: There are no "normal" gays.

Although I don't completely understand what you are disagreeing with, I assume that you think I am saying "there is no such thing as a normal gay". Am I right?

 

[Valiance]

Army of Two featured two homosexual mercenaries I believe. They were pretty normal I think.

This was never stated, nor was it implied. People came to that conclusion through subtext alone, so it doesn't really count.

Isn't that the whole point?

You want them to be normal people, right? Well in what game that you play would it just happen to be very important to the gameplay to know your character's sexual preference?

For all we know, Gordon Freeman could be homosexual. I don't think he's expressed attraction towards a woman.

If a character has to announce whether he's homosexual or straight, well, then, that alone is falsely representing things, isn't it? I don't see many people go around doing that. And I don't think games need to have cutscenes where a character is staring at a guy or girl's ass to explain their sexuality. Most of the time it just simply isn't relevant.

That said, I agree with you completely - if they're there, they're always terrible, terrible stereotypes. But the point that I was trying to make is that it's hard to insinuate that a character is homosexual without them being stereotypical because, well, if they weren't stereotypical, most people wouldn't even notice. Unless, like I said, it's specifically stated (like, say, if Dominic Santiago was homosexual and was it was his husband he was agonizing over instead of his wife), it won't happen.

Anyway, things will change over time. Don't worry.

 

[iggyus]

In the media today, I find that their is a huge lack of "normal" homosexual couples. Often, in TV shows, the gay community becomes the butt of many jokes, or gay and lesbian characters are often cliche. In games, they are simply absent. I am yet to play a game which features a homosexual couple that are just normal people.

Do you think that adding "normal" representations of gay people in game, or in fact the general media, will make society more accepting? Is this a need?

Army of Two featured two homosexual mercenaries I believe. They were pretty normal I think.

Well umm Yahtzee started the Army of Two homosexual rumors

 

[lava_lamp]

im for gay marrige and all

but i dont think homosexually is normal

 

[Strafe Mcgee]

For all we know, Gordon Freeman could be homosexual. I don't think he's expressed attraction towards a woman.

Ha, that'd be fantastic! You get to the end of Half-Life Ep 3 and Alyx moves in for a big sloppy one and Freeman pulls away in disgust...

Alyx: Gordon, what is it?
Gordon:...
Alyx: What's wrong, I thought you wanted this?
Gordon:...
Alyx: It's not me, is it? Am I not good enough for you?
(Barney walks past)
Gordon:...!
Alyx: Ah... Never was very good with the ole gaydar.

 

[aperpheldy]

im for gay marrige and all
but i dont think homosexually is normal

Could you please explain this statement a little bit more. WHY don't you think homosexuality is normal? Do you think the addition of gay couples in the media could chage people with simular views to yourself?

 

[Kiutu]

im for gay marrige and all

but i dont think homosexually is normal

I bet there are tons of things about you that you think are fine that others dont think are normal either. Being here, it is likely you enjoy things such as gaming, comics, or something usually called "nerdy" and I assure you there are still people who dont think we are normal. Normal is a stupid and vague word that can be really anything.

 

[brainfreeze215]

I think there's nothing stopping developers from doing it, but why have any couples at all, gay or straight, if it's not essential to the story line? Heterosexual love interests are always forced into games and movies wherever possible, and if they did that for homosexual couples as well, we'd be just as sick of them too.

Regardless, American Beauty features a very normal, respectable homosexual couple. They're the most normal characters in the movie, and their stoic and calm handling of homophobia is very admirably written.

 

[Vrex360]

I still reckon that the media (games industry in particular) needs a super cool karate kicking gay man with attitude. No campy or stereotypical behaviour just flat out kung fu ass kicking.
How skilled would this potential gay man be? I'm talking skilled as the cannibal guy with glasses from Sin City was at his matrial arts.

 

[Erana]

Dumbledore.

That's the punchline: normal homosexual people look normal.
No one notices, and its not much brought up.

 

[aperpheldy]

Regardless, American Beauty features a very normal, respectable homosexual couple. They're the mos normal characters in the movie, and their stoic and calm handling of homophobia is very admirably written.[/quote]

Well actually, Arn't they called "jack" and "jack". I know they share the same name and have a small pet dog. The audiance is ment to laugh at them. Yet the storyline involving the army father was quite well written...yet it is all about him killing some one because of his suppressed homosexual desires.

 

[Ameatypie]

I had not really considered this aspect of gaming and its effects before, but now that i think about it - yes, incorporating "normal" homosexual couples into games would most likely have a substantial impact on the light in which homosexuals are viewed today.

 

[dnnydllr]

homosexuality is certainly not normal
have you ever heard of gay animals? Yeah maybe one or two odd cases but they aren't gay because then they don't make babies, which is the point of having sex. And trust me I don't mind most gay people....except the ones that either hit on me or are just TOO gay.....but it is not natural as an animal instinct for anyone or anything to be gay, even though you can be born to be(allegedly).
And as far as needing representation, no.
Then you'd also have to represent bisexuals, asexuals...yes they exist....and a lot of other strange unnatural groups of sexuals out there.
Again I'm definitely not trying to say anything against homosexuality.

 

[MrSnugglesworth]

Grrrr, I hate gay people, always being normal, and having slightly high pitched voices that are so interesting to listen to!

 

[Spleeni]

Dumbledore.

That's the punchline: normal homosexual people look normal.
No one notices, and its not much brought up.

That's non-canon!
...
I...think. I dunno, but I didn't get that vibe from the books. Maybe it's me.
/off topic

I really don't see the need to emphasize that this character is gay, or that one is. I mean, it's the same sort of thing as making the main character having a black side-kick, giving him a love interest, and killing his parents. Unless being gay pertains to the gameplay or the story, what's the point?

 

[SyphonX]

In the media today, I find that their is a huge lack of "normal" homosexual couples. Often, in TV shows, the gay community becomes the butt of many jokes, or gay and lesbian characters are often cliche. In games, they are simply absent. I am yet to play a game which features a homosexual couple that are just normal people.

Do you think that adding "normal" representations of gay people in game, or in fact the general media, will make society more accepting? Is this a need?

No, it isn't a need. If you feel so strongly about it then produce and release your own game. Really, political correctness is out of control if someone can't make a video game unless they parade around a couple's sexual preference simply because some feel it's too biased to not do so.

No thanks. I'm not alone in saying the gay community shredded the normalcy they so seek to gain when they have extremely flamboyant gay pride parades. I don't care if you're straight, gay or bump uglies with dogs. How about this one folks; Don't impose your sexual preference or needs on my everyday life.

 

[Cesasse]

Dumbledore.

That's the punchline: normal homosexual people look normal.
No one notices, and its not much brought up.

That's non-canon!
...
I...think. I dunno, but I didn't get that vibe from the books. Maybe it's me.
/off topic

I really don't see the need to emphasize that this character is gay, or that one is. I mean, it's the same sort of thing as making the main character having a black side-kick, giving him a love interest, and killing his parents. Unless being gay pertains to the gameplay or the story, what's the point?

To add to the off-topic and on-topic a moment, I will say this: His sexuality had no effect on the story. Why did she even mention it?
This is part of the point you could have made. His sexuality had nothing to do with the story, it didn't effect anything. It may explain his interest in Harry, and how nicely he treats him (at least most of the time), but it really means absolutely nothing. Window dressing. Not even that, since I found out about this about two weeks after six deaf men in a temple in Tibet found out about it.

Sexuality has no role in the story of most games, and therefore is irrelevant. Unless its a sexually-based game. Then yeah, sure, why not. But I'm pretty sure there's already 'gay' sex games.

 

[SyphonX]

Isn't that the whole point?

You want them to be normal people, right? Well in what game that you play would it just happen to be very important to the gameplay to know your character's sexual preference?

For all we know, Gordon Freeman could be homosexual. I don't think he's expressed attraction towards a woman.

If a character has to announce whether he's homosexual or straight, well, then, that alone is falsely representing things, isn't it? I don't see many people go around doing that. And I don't think games need to have cutscenes where a character is staring at a guy or girl's ass to explain their sexuality. Most of the time it just simply isn't relevant.

That said, I agree with you completely - if they're there, they're always terrible, terrible stereotypes. But the point that I was trying to make is that it's hard to insinuate that a character is homosexual without them being stereotypical because, well, if they weren't stereotypical, most people wouldn't even notice. Unless, like I said, it's specifically stated (like, say, if Dominic Santiago was homosexual and was it was his husband he was agonizing over instead of his wife), it won't happen.

Anyway, things will change over time. Don't worry.

This.

It shouldn't even be an issue. That's a perfect example with Gordon Freeman and his absence of a declared sexual preference.

Whenever I play a game that openly depicts the protagonist's sexual preference either by comic relief or what have you, then I am immediately put off from taking the rest of the game seriously. The instant this happens with a character (gay or straight) I feel like I'm playing a juvenile game and I find it hard to care for the character in the slightest, because it's always an over-the-top unrealistic love story or one underwhelming slapstick joke after another.

It's important to remain somewhat neutral in games, where unlike a movie telling you what the story is, you're playing a game where you take another step into relating to the story, characters and game world. If the developers decided to cast their characters as openly gay it would immediately put off a lot of people, simply because many people wouldn't relate to it. This is also a double-edged sword for many people because maybe a lot of gay gamers don't want to have to sit through another cliche straight couple love story.

There is room for love stories in games, but it has to be Very well done or else it's always going to be cliche. The perfect example is the American 'blonde love interest' that always seems to be a staple in nearly every game. Totally irrelevant and completely unnecessary, just like the 'token black guy' for comic relief usually found in said games.