Xbox Live just got a little bit more progressive this morning, with Microsoft proudly announcing that gamers are now allowed to share their sexual orientation in their profiles. Previously, you were not allowed to express sexuality in your Xbox Live profile, but Xbox Live head of policy Stephen Toulouse has revealed that a number of terms have now been permitted.
Gamers will be able to use Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Straight to denote their sexuality, if they so desire. Microsoft had been working with GLAAD and "Microsoft's LGBT community" to narrow down the terms.
Note that those are the only terms allowed. Use of those words in an insulting manner won't be tolerated either, so it seems as if Microsoft has retracted its scorched earth policy and will now be reviewing the use of these words on a case-by-case basis. That, of course, is very good news for our many gay readers.
It may not seem like a big deal to many of you, but it was certainly a big deal to some, and it's very cool that Microsoft has taken the stick out of its arse and decided to judge the use of these words on their own merits. Microsoft doesn't do everything right, but this was definitely a good thing. Well done!
[Via Stephen Toulouse's Twitter]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
9:40 AM on 03.05.2010
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....That word makes Kryp cry and Hulk Smash.
Also, when was saying Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Straight not okay? Microsoft needs to chill the fuck out.
And I guess people won't be using it as a dating site either. But it's about being able to express yourself, and not get banned because you say you're gay or lesbian, which is just stupid.
Xbox live isn't a phonebook either, but should you get banned for saying your phone number?
What about Homo? That's a fairly unoffensive term, i want a profile called Homo-Panda or something.
there's someone on the toid with a wicked username, snatch something. Can't remember, but I love it.
I've got a PSN firend with the coolest username I've ever seen....
Butthymen
I literally laughed out loud just typing it.
I think the point is that Microsoft really has nothing to lose by allowing the terms, and can only stand to gain a bit of respect from the LGBT community. The point is, it was such a needless and silly thing to ban, just as you think it's a needless and silly thing to allow. I'd rather have a silly thing allowed than a silly thing banned, at any rate.
TheJesusNinja26:
You fail to appreciate irony. I didn't use Obama because I think he's pro-gay, I used Obama because the idea of him giving a thumbs-up to Microsoft allowing gay terms on Xbox Live is amusing.
I might go tell people all about my girlfriend and how my parents met and the diameter of my ear canal. This stuff is important, especially when video gaming.
If I saw somebody giving out their phone number on XBL I would have mighty high suspicions of that person and if not a ban I'd definitely call for some kind of investigation. I get your point but that was a terrible example.
@Jesus H Christ
lulz
And for preteens everywhere.
OK that analogy went a little far and I personally I'm not about to emblazon my profile with gay-ness cuz that's not at all my style. But I'm glad I could if I wanted to.
This is teaching Gays that they can puff their chest enough and get their way.
You shouldn't reward a child who is being a BRAT just because you want them to shut up, it sends the wrong message.
And that's not a knock against gays at all, its against the people who bent over(oop) and took it from the few gays making a big stink(hurr).
Yeaaah... I noticed that right after posting. Let's try something again:
XBL isn't a cooking show, but would you be banned for giving tips on how to cook a meal?
There, better? Hope it is, although slightly irrelevant. Meh, can't please everyone.
I agree that I don't care how adults choose to couple while I'm playing videogames, but I also agree that if LIVE users want to tell us whether or not they're SLGB or T they should be freely allowed to.
That's all these new terms permit, which sounds fair enough to me.
I don't see why someone would feel the need to announce that they're either a plumber or gay. You don't know people through xbox live, and any that you do know on it you know outside of it. I really like rowing, like it's my life, but if microsoft said they didn't want personal stuff like that and to keep it more impersonal or about gaming then I wouldn't be bothered.
On top of that I can completely see why they did it. Having stuff like that on your profile is just going to mark you as a target for homophobes or whatever, and next thing we know Fox/Daily Mail/whatever has another article on cyber bullying.
"Will I be allowed a LIVE profile called XBOXUSERSAREGAY?"
That depends. If you were asked what this name represents, would it be:
A) A statement of homosexual pride in the XBox user community?
or
B) A childish affront to XBox users?
Clue: It's what most of your comments on Destructoid represent.
Another clue: It's not A.
Just say it's like representing your favorite band or your favorite sandwich.
:)
B B B B B B B!
Did i get it right? Can I haz homophobic anti Microshaft gamertagz?
Reminds me of when a buddy made me go back to MW2 for an evening so i changed my clan tag to [MAG>] - you wouldn't beleive the shit i got off people. Almost as much as when it was just [RAPE] - people loved that one.
Actually, i'm not sure how i feel about this. Although the draconian system of simply banning sexuality outright does seem kind of fucked, it kind of works. But then so does communism.
I imagine we're going to see an influx of homophobic xbl videos being posted.
@HoodedMiracle
If you're a male and hang out with real lesbians... no, you know, keep thinking a lesbian is just a girl that makes out with other girls to get guys to notice them. Who am I to spoil your fantasy?
@Jim: And I think it's a great contrast and homage to the soon to be repealed "don't ask don't tell policy", so our gay men and woman who serve for us who equal rights as everyone else. I guess you weren't going for that though.
I usually just tell them I'm gay to piss them off. Now I don't have to verbally antagonize them - my profile will do it for me.
This is a pointless move. Nobody has ever accomplished positive results by beating somebody over the head with their point of view. The XBL punks won't tolerate or appreciate anybody different unless they actually live with them. And XBL is about the farthest venue from reality.