This one's for the girls.

[Thaluikhain]

Except that as evidenced by this thread and about five thousand others-- people clearly do still care, and women who play games are still treated differently than men who play games. And not just "when they put themselves out there".

Also, did you seriously just make a point about gay pride? You realize Gay Pride Parades come out of a history that involves people getting beaten up for being out, right? There can be Straight Pride Parades when heterosexuals get regularly beaten, killed, denied housing or work because they like to touch the bits of the opposite gender, dude.

Much like that, the "phenomenon" of women making it clear that they are women and they are playing games comes out of a history of being told that we don't exist, or if we do we should go back into the kitchen and make sandwiches. The best way to desensitize the mainstream to something is to discuss it. Put it out there. Prove that, yes, this does exist, no, it's not going away, and there is a community that refuses to be shamed for liking something they're being told not to enjoy because they have the wrong bits.

Exactly. People don't call for equality and remind people they exist for the sole purpose of annoying others, it's because they're not treated equally by people who want to deny their existence.

 

[SarcasminBloom]

It's all stereotypes I think. Guys freak out when they think of girls killing Covenant or innocent civilians in GTA. It's just something they need to get over.

That, and also assuming every girl gamer is fat. God knows how many times I've heard that one, *rolls eyes*

 

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

Is there any good reason why we should be ashamed or hide the fact we play games?

I'll sum up everything in one word: "No."


You don't have to feel ashamed because there is nothing to be ashamed of for playing a video game. That Call of Duty box around the video game does not say, "For manly men only", nor does it say, "Men only, women need not apply." Video games are for whoever wants to pick up the game and play it. So pick up that game or handheld and play it until it breaks, then buy another one and use the broken one responsibly - by cramming it down the throat of whoever says otherwise. Enjoy!

 

[Stasisesque]

I direct this question at my fellow female gamers out there. While at work I was playing my PSP, now I struggle already with social situations but I like to think I try. Anyways, one of my co-workers commented that girls really don't play games much (she was also female if it matters) which made me really embarrassed and actually ashamed of my title as a girl gamer. I also spoke briefly with a few of the boys there about other games, mostly shooters.

Now...my question to you is, why is it okay for guys to be into games, but when we get into them, or publicly show our love/interest/what have you of video games, other girls avoid us like we are carrying some kind of contagious disease? Is there any good reason why we should be ashamed or hide the fact we play games?

Do you panic and start crying when you eat a Yorkie too?

 

[The Man With the Soap]

I direct this question at my fellow female gamers out there. While at work I was playing my PSP, now I struggle already with social situations but I like to think I try. Anyways, one of my co-workers commented that girls really don't play games much (she was also female if it matters) which made me really embarrassed and actually ashamed of my title as a girl gamer. I also spoke briefly with a few of the boys there about other games, mostly shooters.

Now...my question to you is, why is it okay for guys to be into games, but when we get into them, or publicly show our love/interest/what have you of video games, other girls avoid us like we are carrying some kind of contagious disease? Is there any good reason why we should be ashamed or hide the fact we play games?

There is never any reason to be ashamed of anything you do that you enjoy. The best way to gain acceptance from non-gamers is to have other interests besides gaming. I love my games, but I love many other things equally.

 

[DSK-]

Your own reaction is part of the problem. Why should you have felt ashamed? You were doing something you enjoyed, and let some random comment make you feel bad about it. If you don't think gaming is worthwhile enough to feel ok about doing it, why should anyone else think it's acceptable?

Definitely this. You shouldn't feel ashamed of doing something you enjoy. Just ignore what other people think of what you do. What really matters is what you think and feel

I will admit in the past I was surprised to find out that some girls I knew were gamers, but getting to know the fine people on the #escapist I'm past that, and I happily enjoy talking about games with everyone regardless of sex

I think it's just because of a lack of exposure to such things that surprises people. Don't worry about it.

 

[Souplex]

Haters gonna hate.
Play your games and don't bother with people who resent you for it.
CAPTCHA: Press. eloart

 

[kortin]

Maybe I'm just not understanding, but why does it matter to be called 'girl gamers'? You are a girl and you are a gamer. It just seems like a specification to me. I've heard many girls refer to guys as 'guy gamers' (albeit not at often as guys use girl gamer). I'm just curious is all, if someone could explain the problem with the 'girl gamer' title I would be grateful.

 

[Illesdan]

I direct this question at my fellow female gamers out there. While at work I was playing my PSP, now I struggle already with social situations but I like to think I try. Anyways, one of my co-workers commented that girls really don't play games much (she was also female if it matters) which made me really embarrassed and actually ashamed of my title as a girl gamer. I also spoke briefly with a few of the boys there about other games, mostly shooters.

Honestly, I rarely ever have anything to say to my female co-workers. Its not because I think I'm better than them; it just because I know they don't play MMOs or console games, they don't draw, write, or read comic books, they don't surf the internet for fun, stupid stuff, they don't have even close to the same tastes in music I do. So, for all intents and purposes, I might as well be a guy as far as their concerned.

Sounds to me like your co-worker just doesn't know how to have fun.

 

[Shoqiyqa]

Now...my question to you is, why is it okay for guys to be into games, but when we get into them, or publicly show our love/interest/what have you of video games, other girls avoid us like we are carrying some kind of contagious disease? Is there any good reason why we should be ashamed or hide the fact we play games?

It isn't, and no.

Also:

Note the anger cloud:

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

OK, first of all: You do not have a "title has a girl gamer", you're just a girl who happens to play games.

Secondly, the way you get rid of the...I don't know, "controversy" (not the right word, but moving on) around girls who play games is to STOP TALKING ABOUT IT.

 

[theonlyblaze2]

Now...my question to you is, why is it okay for guys to be into games, but when we get into them, or publicly show our love/interest/what have you of video games, other girls avoid us like we are carrying some kind of contagious disease? Is there any good reason why we should be ashamed or hide the fact we play games?

It's like that for guys too. I can't really talk about games with my friends in public because as soon as I mention something, I get called a nerd or geek(which stopped bothering me years ago). My friends then will give me dirty looks and avoid me for days.
As for girls playing games, not a lot of girls do where I live. So when I find a girl who does, I absolutely flip my wig. I think it is cool because, as I said, not a lot even acknowledge that video games exist as anything other than something for nerds to obsess over.

 

[Light 086]

Overall I don't know why, being a girl gamer myself I don't see anything wrong with it.

I think it's because gaming is seen as a 'guy' thing as well as it being geeky/nerdy, so other girls think we are acting tomboyish on top of being nerds and geeks. Face it we make fun of people who do nothing but study. Also we catch the same flak from some guy gamers, probably from shock and awe as we own them

On that topic: My boyfriend gets heat from a few people for playing games, so I assume guys suffer the same.

I don't deal with this issue much because my profile doesn't hint at my gender and I'm a ghost online. I don't talk much online to avoid this situation. Some are cool with it, while other will flame you by saying that I suck or whatnot. So I try to avoid people like that, who just talk crap.

My friends mainly play games as well, so I get no problems from them about it. With my friends who don't, they don't really talk about games with me or I with them about games...

Unless they ask me what I think about a game so they can get it for their boyfriends =P

 

[WolfEdge]

It's for the same reason I have to immediately grow a beard and shave it off again whenever I indulge in My Little Ponies.

I will say that, on the whole, it's far more acceptable for women to like and behave in ways that are considered "masculine" than it is for men to like or behave in ways that are considered "feminine".

As a classic example, you wouldn't think twice about a woman wearing mens clothing, but I defy you to not perform a double-take if you were to you come across a man wearing a dress.

 

[Heartcafe]

I doubt there is anything wrong with playing video games as a girl. I play video games and most of my gal pals don't. Therefore, I don't talk about games with them, but they respect my interests in gaming. If they aren't going to respect what you love, then they don't deserve your respect.
I think if someone thinks gaming is weird, just shrug and be like, "Whatever. I love playing video games."

Stand up and be a proud girl gamer (but don't be over zealous )

 

[Daedalus1942]

I direct this question at my fellow female gamers out there. While at work I was playing my PSP, now I struggle already with social situations but I like to think I try. Anyways, one of my co-workers commented that girls really don't play games much (she was also female if it matters) which made me really embarrassed and actually ashamed of my title as a girl gamer. I also spoke briefly with a few of the boys there about other games, mostly shooters.

Now...my question to you is, why is it okay for guys to be into games, but when we get into them, or publicly show our love/interest/what have you of video games, other girls avoid us like we are carrying some kind of contagious disease? Is there any good reason why we should be ashamed or hide the fact we play games?

Well, admittedly I am a transgirl, but still I play heaps of games. I probably play too much, and no-one says anything. Of course all my friends are gamers, and the other people I take no notice of.
-Tabs<3-

 

[Erja_Perttu]

If your co-worker is attempting to ostracize you because you enjoy a form of entertainment that she doesn't, she's probably a judgemental ***** and doesn't deserve your time anyway. Try to ignore her while at work, then look for women who aren't going to scratch your eyes out for not being a carbon copy of themselves.

Hear hear! Very well said. There should never be any shame in liking gaming, that's what it's made for. If other people can't accept that, that's their problem, not yours. So, don't let it be your problem. Hold that PSP high!

 

[MercurySteam]

I guess I've never really met a girl who's as fanatical about games as I am. I doubt I ever will though most (or probably even all) girls I know who do play games are terrible a them. So the only girls I know are casual gamers. Pfft I'm not ashamed.

 

[Sarge034]

I direct this question at my fellow female gamers out there. While at work I was playing my PSP, now I struggle already with social situations but I like to think I try. Anyways, one of my co-workers commented that girls really don't play games much (she was also female if it matters) which made me really embarrassed and actually ashamed of my title as a girl gamer. I also spoke briefly with a few of the boys there about other games, mostly shooters.

Now...my question to you is, why is it okay for guys to be into games, but when we get into them, or publicly show our love/interest/what have you of video games, other girls avoid us like we are carrying some kind of contagious disease? Is there any good reason why we should be ashamed or hide the fact we play games?

I'm a guy, but I think you should give us a chance to answer too. I think you would be surprised at how many of us either don't care, or are ok with girl gamers. I for one am ok with girl gamers. I know several, and some of them can destroy me at my own games. This co-worker who said that to you is probably of the "old school" mind set. I like women who enjoy video games, it gives us more to talk about and relate to.

Stick with it and don't let anyone tell you different. :? )

 

[drbarno]

I'm going to take this at a different angle than other people, who are just saying to ignore her and such, and try to explain why she doesn't think gaming is for girls.

for that we have to look back at the 90's when video gaming had gotten back on it's feet thanks to Nintendo and such, And look at their ads.


now this may only be a small selection of ads, but I notice one thing from those.

do you see any girls playing those game?

I didn't either. During the 80's and 90's games were mainly advertised towards the male demographic, mainly teenagers I've noticed from the ads. Of course this gives the impression to the majority of girls growing up in this period that video gaming is a boys thing, and that girls don't play that sort of thing.

So, ironically, it's not her fault for judging you for playing videogames (though it is as well, don't let her off the hook) It's gaming itself when they showed themselves as a boys club back when they were younger.