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Too gay to play: Gay gamer's name banned from Xbox Live

11:25 AM on 05.14.2008, Jim Sterling 117 comments

Too gay to play: Gay gamer's name banned from Xbox Live photo
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A gay gamer with the gamertag "theGAYERgamer" has had his name banned from Xbox Live for being "offensive." As we all know, Xbox Live is a hotbed of homophobia, but it seems that if enough bigots raise the alarm, they will be appeased.

I have had a bad morning. Last night when i tried to sign into my xbox live account "thegayergamer" I was told that it had to be changed. I figured that it was just from people reporting it as an offensive name being that the greater Xbox live community isn't exactly welcome to gay people, i spend a lot of time muting people on Halo3. I assumed that once i called Microsoft they would straighten things out.

I talked to a supervisor there, Roxy, who told me that she didn't personally find the fact that my gamer tag had gay in the name offensive, but that the greater Xbox community did, so i would have to change it. I hope I'm not the only person who finds this don't ask, don't tell policy disgusting... eek.

So, even if Microsoft employees don't find a name offensive, they will take it down if enough people whine about it. Of course, it's not certain whether people complained because they thought the name was homophobic, or if they were themselves homophobes who were offended because of "dem darn faggits on mah Live," but given Xbox Live's majority clientèle ... I think we can more or less rule out the former case.

That's just sad. While I don't agree with one advertising their sexuality (I don't scream mine from the rooftops unwarranted), one should have a right to do it if they wish. The man wants us to know he's a gayer gamer than everybody else, so he should be able to tell us. It's a shame that small-minded idiots on Xbox Live can have their way instead.


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Trevor McGee's Avatar
Trevor McGee at 05/14/2008 11:27
While I sympathize with the gay community and the bigotry they face, I strongly oppose any form of homophobic hate, is it even really necessary to announce your sexuality through your gamer tag on anything? I mean I don't go around putting "TheStraightGamer" as my name for anything, is there really any point to it other than to call attention to one's self?
Quest's Avatar
Quest at 05/14/2008 11:29
i respect your community Jim ... bad M$ bad bad bad !
Alpha 87655320875's Avatar
Alpha 87655320875 at 05/14/2008 11:31
This is such bullshit. Fuck you Xbox community, and a bigger FUCK YOU to Xbox for listening to those homophobic shits.
Shin Oni's Avatar
Shin Oni at 05/14/2008 11:32
this is as bad as when someone's was banned (or thrown off...whichever it was.) from Xbox Live cause they were talking about Apples and Mac computers.
flamesofchaos's Avatar
flamesofchaos at 05/14/2008 11:33
This is why I hate society in general in how they have to put down people of a certain ethnicity or sexual orientation.

@Trevor McGee- I think that user is exercising his freedom of speech, if he wants to express his sexuality then more power to him. If someone wants to be an attention whore then they should do it, it's not like there are a lack of those in the videogame world anyways, especially the Xbox live community.
Monte's Avatar
Monte at 05/14/2008 11:34
y'know, one thing i would question... did people report the name because their bigoted homophobes, or did they report it cause they thought the name might be offensive to gay people... The former denotes bigotry and hate... the later however is based on some concerned people not realizing the account owner was actually gay and was not a homophobe trying to be insulting... they could have looked at the name and figured it was something like this:
http://www.machall.com/view.php?date=2006-08-28

Ofcourse, i don't know squat about the xbox live community and have a tendency to want to believe in the good in humanity... i'm just naive like that
Teta's Avatar
Teta at 05/14/2008 11:36
Too bad MS.
Listening to 14 year olds that think being homophobic is cool.
Tactix's Avatar
Tactix at 05/14/2008 11:36
@Trevor

I understand your point about if it is necessary to announce your sexuality (I don't myself), but think about the repercussion if your gamertag WAS "TheStraightGamer".....probably nothing.

I think the whole point is that you have the right to make your gamertag what you will, barring any breaking of Microsoft rules (which "TheGayerGamer" didnt), but if the greater Xbox Live community deems they dont like a name for whatever reason, Microsoft has set a precedent for forcing you to change your name.
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 05/14/2008 11:37
Cowzilla3's Avatar
Cowzilla3 at 05/14/2008 11:39
@Trevor

If he thinks it's the defining factor for him then why shouldn't he be able to define himself by his sexuality? You don't go around calling yourself strightgamer but you do define yourself via TrevorMcgee if I hated that it doesn't mean you don't have a right to announce to everyone that you don't.
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 05/14/2008 11:41
I will echo what Trevor said...

"While I sympathize with the gay community and the bigotry they face, I strongly oppose any form of homophobic hate, is it even really necessary to announce your sexuality through your gamer tag on anything? I mean I don't go around putting "TheStraightGamer" as my name for anything, is there really any point to it other than to call attention to one's self?"

I personally have no problem with whatever sexuality you choose for yourself, but something tells me that when you advertise yourself above and beyond the norm, all you are doing is trying to get attention. Its good to have pride and confidence in yourself but I think at some point it becomes self-pandering.

Something tells me that other gay people that play on Live, and draw no attention to themselves, saw this and thought it was some punk making fun of gay people rather than being gay himself.
Cube's Avatar
Cube at 05/14/2008 11:42
Lame.

I see nothing bad.
wardrox's Avatar
wardrox at 05/14/2008 11:43
I say ban thegirliergamer too whilst we're at it.
Chicken008's Avatar
Chicken008 at 05/14/2008 11:49
How could that be offensive? The name suggests himself, not the Xbox Live community..
Boolean's Avatar
Boolean at 05/14/2008 11:51
"I mean I don't go around putting "TheStraightGamer" as my name for anything,"

On the other hand players named "Bigballs" "MassiveCock" "WomenWrangler" "TittyFuckerMcGee" in games like COD4 or UT do.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 05/14/2008 11:51
Trevor: As I said in my article, I certainly don't agree with advertising one's sexuality, or defining yourself through it. That said, I still don't think letting a bunch of whiners have their way is very cool, especially as you can be sure a bunch of them were just homophobic fuckwits.

If he wants to play Halo 3 with a name like that and weather the storm of abuse it will bring, more power to him. I don't think it's an amazing thing to do, to have "gayergamer" in your tag, but I do think he should be able to do it if he wants.
bioshocked's Avatar
bioshocked at 05/14/2008 11:52
BlackSheep's Avatar
BlackSheep at 05/14/2008 11:53
this happened to my friend, who happens to be a lesbian.

she couldn't think of a gamertag, so she went with PowerLesbian

last month she was asked to change her name. Now I barely notice her online :P
sTo0z's Avatar
sTo0z at 05/14/2008 11:53
What Trevor and Corak said, there was no need to blatantly advertise sexuality over your tag name.

And just for the record, I have absolutely nothing against the guy being gay or not, I just happen to throw my vote for what Trevor and Corak said.
bioshocked's Avatar
bioshocked at 05/14/2008 11:53
I'll not even bother to read the comments on this one. It might make me want to destroy all humans.
Yashoki's Avatar
Yashoki at 05/14/2008 11:54
I'm gonna go with what everyone has mostly said in that I don't like people advertising their sexuality, be it furry, gay, pedo or anything. It's just something I don't care or want to see.

On the other hand I think this says a lot more about the Microsoft dispute management than anything else, to be honest.

And, as much as I'm going to get flack for saying this, HE WAS ASKING FOR IT. Seriously. Don't think like a politically correct prick, you know it's true.
AaronLindes Neighbor's Avatar
AaronLindes Neighbor at 05/14/2008 11:55
MS also has a problem with gamertags that promote the nudist lifestyle, as my friend was forced to change his gamertag. I guess MasterNudist is offensive. Wise up MS, once you police on person, you have to police everyone. Soon there will be tech centers in India looking for offensive gamertags.
DJDuffy 's Avatar
DJDuffy at 05/14/2008 12:02
This is terrible and makes me angry...Duffy smash! Microsoft should sensor names unless they have VULGAR language in them, and the word "gay" is a perfectly fine word and there is nothing wrong with it AT ALL. Fags.
PetiePal's Avatar
PetiePal at 05/14/2008 12:07
Well that's total crap. Like poor Buck Fitches. They can slam you for innuendo even apparently
Feigro's Avatar
Feigro at 05/14/2008 12:14
Oh bullshit. If this person weren't gay, then there wouldn't be a lick of outcry about it. I know plenty of people, in real life and on the internet who get their panties in a bunch by the use of the word gay. Just because this fella is here, queer, and proud of it and happened to be censored because some people could've legitamitely said his name is inappropriate - It calls for outcries of bigotry.

I agree with the sentiment that this name was likely reported (in part) by OTHER gay gamers on Xbox live.

Gay, to some people, isn't a perfectly fine word. It entirely depends on it's context. Everyone from straight people, to moms, to gays themselves can, have, and will continue to have the capacity to be offended by the usage of the word dependings on it's context.
xe-cute's Avatar
xe-cute at 05/14/2008 12:15
Oh well theres my idea of using a tag "happyandgay" out the window ;(


Seriously though, I would love him to phone up M$ again and record the conversation and release it on the interweb as I am sure it would cause M$ blatent embarrassment and maybe enough to change there silly rules.

I say temp-ban those complaining.
Leathersoup's Avatar
Leathersoup at 05/14/2008 12:17
They probably banned the name because too many Republicans have been signing up for Live to troll for fresh meat.
Volomon's Avatar
Volomon at 05/14/2008 12:22
I could be crazy but isn't discrimination based on sexuality illegal in the States, or was this some where else.

He should contact http://www.lambdalegal.org/cgi-bin/iowa/index.html
Luckbad's Avatar
Luckbad at 05/14/2008 12:22
Think about this objectively, and make a few comparisons, and it may shed a little light on it: Is it okay for a black person to make his name "theNI**ERgamer?" I'll agree that it's a level of extreme well beyond "gay," but you have to judge them pretty much the same way. A woman can't make her name "ihaveaPUSSY." A man can't make his name "stickmyPENISinyou."

If it's offensive to someone, it has to go. Let's try a nickname or two that I could give myself that is the equivalent of "theGAYERgamer"...

"imaDICK," "thebiggestPRICK," "theFATTESTfatass." Each of those will offend enough people, despite them describing ME, that I'll have to change my name. Though thousands of names like that have likely been banned from Xbox Live, there is no public outcry about it because there's no minority or anything of that nature involved.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 05/14/2008 12:24
"Is it okay for a black person to make his name "theNI**ERgamer?"

Personally? Yes that would be fine. However, I would understand why MS would remove that one. Having a tag like "blackergamer" however, I would think is a lame banning.
Luckbad's Avatar
Luckbad at 05/14/2008 12:26
To clarify my point: It doesn't matter who the player behind the name is, it matters what the name is. Period.
TDub301's Avatar
TDub301 at 05/14/2008 12:27
It is discrimination, there are way too many offensive names on Live that go unnoticed for that to be offensive. And in response to Trevor, it's no more necessary to play video games in the first place than it is to announce your sexuality, aside from the fact that straight men constantly announce their sexuality on Live (in crude ways, as well) without having to change their names
Arttemis's Avatar
Arttemis at 05/14/2008 12:30
I think any reference to sexuality is out of place in a gaming/networking community, especially one that is available to all ages. The naming conventions and permissions currently in place are far more lax than any MMO one can play, and I don't particularly think that's a good thing.

If offensive and EULA-breaking names are going to remain as unchecked as they are, I don't this one should be singled out ---- but I wish there were much broader enforcement on all names that break those rules, including ones that needlessly point out sexual preference.
Angry Irish's Avatar
Angry Irish at 05/14/2008 12:33
I think a lot of you on here are expressing the thoughts from the X-box Live community. Some users probably strained the useless idea that he doesn't need to advertise that he's gay. It doesn't have to be bigoted or hateful. Just goddamn stupid.

This is like saying that I don't need to advertise the fact that I'm Irish.

Maybe theGAYERgamer wasn't intentionally slamming in your face that he's gay. Maybe he just liked the name. I just liked the name "Angry Irish" and decided to use it. DO NOT ASSUME HIS MOTIVES! Really look at yourself and ask "Why do I care?"

Questioning his name OVERALL shouldn't even have to happen. Stop wasting your time.
Cowzilla3's Avatar
Cowzilla3 at 05/14/2008 12:42
@LuckBad

You're comparing the word gay to words that are considered curse words that are offensive. Are you saying the word gay or gayer is an offensive word? I he was thefaggiergamer I would see the problem where in fag is a derogitory term but gay is not offensive or deragatory in anyway.

@Yashoki
Sure he knew what he was getting into by naming himself that and he knew that he'd most likely be getting a ton of shit from people in games but do you think he was asking for getting banned from Live because other people are ignorant or who he is?
TDub301's Avatar
TDub301 at 05/14/2008 12:44
I don't know angry guy, I think there's a higher percentage of "14 year olds who think being homophobic is cool" as Teta put it than you think. I've come across so many little kids on Halo that I wanted to smack the shit out of for saying stupid shit...ok, I see what you're saying, bunch of people being stupid cuz noone really knows who they are. This stupid shit is the main reason Nintendo won't let me talk to people while I beat the shit out of them in Brawl, thanks little twerps and Microsoft for supporting them.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 05/14/2008 12:50
Wow that's pretty lame. With how racist/anti-gay people on xbox live are I find it hard to believe that anyone is offended by that gaymertag.

lol
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 05/14/2008 12:53
funny... in PSN Ive seen racist/pornocomic names, they dont get banned.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 05/14/2008 12:56
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that they, as well as some of the people who reported him, thought he was using "gay" in a derogatory sense. No one is going to convince me that, every time a redneck homophobe 15-year-old sees a homosexually suggestive gamertag, he reports it to Microsoft. Unless he happened to frequently run into the "white power" fragment of XBL, then I'm pretty sure this is at least partially a misunderstanding.

Remember, this is Microsoft we're talking about. Unless they've got idiots making the decisions (okay, yeah, I guess that is pretty likely) then they're not going to intentionally make a bad, bad PR move like this.
drogaz1's Avatar
drogaz1 at 05/14/2008 13:00
Shame on MS for caving in to the demands homophobic rednecks and 13 year olds. Especially when on X-box live you have names like "fetuseater666" and "Biggest_Cock".
Holiday's Avatar
Holiday at 05/14/2008 13:00
I think it's a matter of pedophiles on Xbox live, that's what MS is worried about. Not that most people you meet on Xbox Live are mature, well adjusted, fine upstanding people anyways.
Huangism's Avatar
Huangism at 05/14/2008 13:11
sue them for billions of money!!!!
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 05/14/2008 13:19
Not surprised.
Verol's Avatar
Verol at 05/14/2008 13:28
I think it is stupid when people brag about being a girl/ethnic/gay gamer. For one it bring about uninspired names.
"There is nothing to be proud about... it is a ----ing genetic accident" -George Carlin

That being said, I like girl/gay/bi/(Race here) gamers, I just don't really give a damn about their background.

Microsoft does suck though for giving in to the the racist and idiots on Live. Unless he was breaking the ToS with his name (I don't believe he was) they really should have just ignored their requests.
Droll's Avatar
Droll at 05/14/2008 13:31
Guys, don't you understand? This is the American way! Banning something because a few people get riled up about it, rather than using it as a topic for discussion about the state of the country!
We've been ignoring thinks so we don't have to talk about them for years, and we ain't gonna stop now!
MURICA!!!
MURICA!!!
......
soooooooo lame.
flashbak's Avatar
flashbak at 05/14/2008 13:35
As with a number of comments above I just do not get why people need to use their gamer tag to broadcast things about their personal lives. As Corak said above it is merely a way of grabbing attention.

I personally am of the opinion that this gamer purposefully chose the name that he did so it would get banned eventually and he could run and cry to the internets about how homophobic everyone on Live is. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised that he chose the name that he did just so that people would make derogatory comments about his sexuality so he could whine to MS and get people banned.
Trev's Avatar
Trev at 05/14/2008 13:38
It's just a gamertag. No points, achievements or purchases will be lost, right? It's stupid that he's required to change it, but it strikes me as pretty inconsequential.
Mattchewie's Avatar
Mattchewie at 05/14/2008 13:39
At least every other day I'm on XBL and every time I'm overwhelmed at the lack of common sense and social skills displayed by a majority of XBL users. So this is no surprise.
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