Microsoft OK with Gay, Lesbian Info on Xbox Live
Microsoft's Xbox Live opens itself to personal expression.
Microsoft last week changed its policies with regards to Xbox Live users who wish to freely express their race, nationality, religion and sexual orientation in Gamertags and profiles.
Xbox Live GM Marc Whitten explained, "Under our previous policy, some of these expressions of self identification were not allowed in Gamertags or profiles to prevent the use of these terms as insults or slurs. However we have since heard feedback from our customers that while the spirit of this approach was genuine, it inadvertently excluded a part of our Xbox LIVE community. This update also comes hand-in-hand with increased stringency and enforcement to prevent the misuse of these terms."
The new code of conduct states:
"You may use the following terms to express your relationship orientation in your profile or Gamertag: Lesbian; Gay; Bi; Transgender; Straight.
"Other terms regarding relationship orientation are not allowed. In addition you may not use these terms or any other terms regarding relationship orientation to insult, harass, or any other pejorative use against other users."
Microsoft's previous terms of use would ban those who wished to express their sexual orientation.
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So does this mean when you set you orientation to gay/lesbian the avatars look even more gay?
But seriously, the male avatars stand like women.
"Other terms regarding relationship orientation are not allowed. In addition you may not use these terms or any other terms regarding relationship orientation to insult, harass, or any other pejorative use against other users."
why allow people to post it then? If you dont want the be insulted about your orientation dont broadcast it, that way no-one knows. If your willing to let everyone know, you should be willing to accept the flak that comes with it.
What about asexual?
"Other terms regarding relationship orientation are not allowed. In addition you may not use these terms or any other terms regarding relationship orientation to insult, harass, or any other pejorative use against other users."why allow people to post it then? If you dont want the be insulted about your orientation dont broadcast it, that way no-one knows. If your willing to let everyone know, you should be willing to accept the flak that comes with it.
I think it's more in reference to the content of the gamertag, for example, "GayPr1de" is now allowed while "D3ath2Gays" is not.
MS pr: We here at Microsoft want to send a clear message that our philosophy as a company is one of tolerance and understanding; to not shun others for simply being different, and to be able to foster such a community with Xbox live.
Reporter: But still no fatties?
MS pr: Still no fatties.
How is calling non-gays straight not offensive to gays? Calling a straight person straight is like calling a gay person bent. I'm not gay and I think it's really weird to be gay, but I think they should replace the "straight" thing with hetero. Saying "straight" is almost as bad as saying "normal" ...as though a gay/bi/lesbian can't be a normal person.
Oh well, I don't have XBL anyway. I'm not a fan of PAYING extra for an inferior gaming experience.
"Other terms regarding relationship orientation are not allowed. In addition you may not use these terms or any other terms regarding relationship orientation to insult, harass, or any other pejorative use against other users."why allow people to post it then? If you dont want the be insulted about your orientation dont broadcast it, that way no-one knows. If your willing to let everyone know, you should be willing to accept the flak that comes with it.
Wow. Really? While we are it why don't we tell black people that if they don't want to be called racist names they shouldn't broadcast that they are black. There's nothing wrong with being gay and if you have so much of a problem with homosexuality that you feel compelled to berate someone who is openly homosexual then YOU have the problem.
So, you can say bi, but not bisexual???
why allow people to post it then? If you dont want the be insulted about your orientation dont broadcast it, that way no-one knows. If your willing to let everyone know, you should be willing to accept the flak that comes with it.
If you don't want to be insulted for being an idiot you shouldn't post at all. If you're going to post stupid comments like that you should be willing to accept the flak for being a moron.
Now millions of people can continue to pretend to be gay or lesbian on teh internets without feeling repressed!
OH HELLO THEER SAILER
This...is something that I don't think is exactly necessary, but hell, it's up to the user whether or not to post that kind of thing. IMHO, just another way to make things on XBL more personal. Not a bad thing, just didn't really expect this to happen
How is calling non-gays straight not offensive to gays? Calling a straight person straight is like calling a gay person bent. I'm not gay and I think it's really weird to be gay, but I think they should replace the "straight" thing with hetero. Saying "straight" is almost as bad as saying "normal" ...as though a gay/bi/lesbian can't be a normal person.
You have interesting views. I admit I have thought about that a little bit, but for the most part it's a non-issue. We're not THAT sensitive, and saying that someone is straight is really quite harmless. Straight isn't necessarily normal, curvy could be normal
Kudos to Microsoft on the policy change
Ugh this is dumb.
This is another case of "nobody cares that you're gay"
Straight people don't spend all day telling you that they're straight, why should gay people feel the need to? I have nothing against gays... they can be gay all the want. I have absolutely no interest in the sex lives of my online opponents.
I say XBox Live should just allow you to say whatever you want, and then people can report the assholes. If you wanna say gay then say it. Whatever.
Why does it matter, so they can sell your info to some company that sells like minded products? You pay $50.00 a year just to be treated like a 13 year old in the eyes of MS. If they don't like your gamer tag they force you to change it whether it's offensive or not. I guess they are trying to turn it into the next My Space or Facebook more or less...
So, you can say bi, but not bisexual???
It's not explicitly stated, but I would assume that they would allow bisexual, homosexual, and heterosexual to be used. It's just the more technical names vs more conversational names commonly used. Still means exactly the same thing and there isn't any negative connotation associated with it (as would be the case if someone tried to use f*g, for example).
Does it really matter when your playing a game? I don't care to know although sometimes I wonder based on the way people play...but that's besides the fact. I don't think it's necessary and would only bring with it a wide open door for insults.
As someone who doesn't see shame in the gay/lesbian persuasion, I gotta ask:Why was this an issue in the first place?
Transgender is a sexual orientation now?
Since when?
Gender identity and sexual orientation are completely different things.
Xbox FAIL.
ruffhouseutah's comment is offensive and needs to be removed.
Ruff quit hating. Just because you find it morally wrong don't make it so. And by your logic while they might be wrong biologically their helping us more then you are by being straight. This world is already overpopulated. Kids in desperate need of adoptions (o let me guess you'd rather have the kids get beat, molested in foster homes then in a loving house hold with two dads). Um. Seems like they could help in that department if they chose to.
Also explain to me how it is any way morally wrong, and I'll laugh as I tear apart your reason which probably fits in somewhere with religion. O this could be such a good time.
I'm not gay, and don't really know many gay people. But I still think they have every right to live how they want to live without being questioned, insulted, etc by the likes of people like ruff.
I still don't see what the fuss is about, i'm not about to advertise myself as being transgendered on my live account, i have female on my account and thats all people need to know, it's when people give me shit about "not really being a girl" and start being transphobic and prejudiced for no reason what so ever which really pisses me off, but if people want to blow their own trumpets then more power to them.
i'm not a trumpet blowing person *T0000t!!....who did that?* (Blushes)
I dunno...it's kinda offensive to me that somebody would actually take a ding dong in their hoo hoo
Absolutely unbelievable how far we've sunk as a society... what's black is white, what's right is wrong... even the most obvious of problems is considered normal, and those who label the problem a problem are "haters" whose comments must be removed.
Unbelievable, and sad.
Morality aside, those struggling with same-sex attraction need unconditional love, but not codification (condoning what they're doing). They need help. And when we codify, we solidify in them the belief that they are quite normal and don't need help, so they'll never get it.
Those of you who agree, please vote positively for this and my previous comment so that they both appear again. I've got to believe that there are more people who still understand this so-simple concept than those who do not.
Again, has nothing to do with hate, has to do with love for those who are genuinely sick.
This issue is really not an issue...when we're playing online, I don't care who you are. I'm more concerned about how we interact if we are relying on each other in a game and how we interact in that game. Game on!
Absolutely unbelievable how far we've sunk as a society... what's black is white, what's right is wrong... even the most obvious of problems is considered normal, and those who label the problem a problem are "haters" whose comments must be removed.Unbelievable, and sad.Morality aside, those struggling with same-sex attraction need unconditional love, but not codification (condoning what they're doing). They need help. And when we codify, we solidify in them the belief that they are quite normal and don't need help, so they'll never get it. Those of you who agree, please vote positively for this and my previous comment so that they both appear again. I've got to believe that there are more people who still understand this so-simple concept than those who do not.Again, has nothing to do with hate, has to do with love for those who are genuinely sick.
Ruff, you're the one who is sick. Not I.
I dunno...it's kinda offensive to me that somebody would actually take a ding dong in their hoo hoo
Hahaha reminds me of that South Park episode...
does this mean now i cant say you are so gay just to mess around because they can make a complaint for me?
Absolutely unbelievable how far we've sunk as a society... what's black is white, what's right is wrong... even the most obvious of problems is considered normal, and those who label the problem a problem are "haters" whose comments must be removed.Unbelievable, and sad.Morality aside, those struggling with same-sex attraction need unconditional love, but not codification (condoning what they're doing). They need help. And when we codify, we solidify in them the belief that they are quite normal and don't need help, so they'll never get it. Those of you who agree, please vote positively for this and my previous comment so that they both appear again. I've got to believe that there are more people who still understand this so-simple concept than those who do not.Again, has nothing to do with hate, has to do with love for those who are genuinely sick.
Oh boy. Lunatic on the thread.
First off, I'm not "struggling with same-sex attraction" I'm enjoying it just as those who are straight enjoy their opposite-sex attractions.
I was born gay, just as others have been born straight (or bi, etc).
Science supports this and says that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being gay.
The APA states that “reparative therapy” programs do not work at all and in most cases are psychologically harmful (in some cases even leading to suicide).
Nothing you have stated has any basis in facts or reality.
I dunno...it's kinda offensive to me that somebody would actually take a ding dong in their hoo hoo
Well, it's none of your business anyway.
In the interest of free speech I support both people who want to proclaim their sexuality whenever and where ever they are... But my question is why the HELL does anyone need to know your sexual orientation on a friggin video game!? play the game or go home er um log off... Are you people hooking up after meeting on xbox live? OMFG go outside and talk to people face to face!