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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Ed Anger on March 05, 2010, 11:33:37 AM

Title: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Ed Anger on March 05, 2010, 11:33:37 AM
Since everybody else has a gay thread, here's mine:

QuoteA change to the Xbox Live code of conduct this morning now allows gamers to express their sexual orientation in Xbox Live profiles or Gamertags.

The new policy 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."

Last April, Microsoft officials met with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to discuss the way Microsoft was handling the banning of players for using terms to describe sexual orientation.

This morning the head of Xbox Live policy and enforcement wrote on Twitter that he was "proud to announce" the worldwide changes made live today with a "Special thanks to GLAAD and Microsoft's LGBT community for guidance on the terms."

fags.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: The Brain on March 05, 2010, 11:40:14 AM
WTF I cannot express myself within those boundaries.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 11:41:20 AM
So Microsoft didn't have to make a donation to the Matthew Shepherd Memorial Fund and promise to send delegates to every GLAADLBGTSWTF conference/pride march?  They got away easy.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 11:42:53 AM
Quote from: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 11:41:20 AM
So Microsoft didn't have to make a donation to the Matthew Shepherd Memorial Fund and promise to send delegates to every GLAADLBGTSWTF conference/pride march?  They got away easy.

Actually, they had to donate, then they had to "consult" with GLBT organizations (read: pay for hotel stay, minibar included), and then they created the policy. :P
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 11:47:00 AM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 11:42:53 AM
Actually, they had to donate, then they had to "consult" with GLBT organizations (read: pay for hotel stay, minibar included), and then they created the policy. :P

Jesse Jackson would be proud.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Ed Anger on March 05, 2010, 11:48:44 AM
QuoteMatthew Shepherd Memorial Fund

Help build a wooden fence in his honor.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: DisturbedPervert on March 05, 2010, 11:59:11 AM
Impossible to regulate something like this on a p2p network gaming platform.  On the PC of course, good servers will perma ban people for racist or anti homo comments
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 12:08:22 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 11:47:00 AM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 11:42:53 AM
Actually, they had to donate, then they had to "consult" with GLBT organizations (read: pay for hotel stay, minibar included), and then they created the policy. :P

Jesse Jackson would be proud.

We learn from the best. :P
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Syt on March 05, 2010, 12:10:39 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 11:47:00 AM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 11:42:53 AM
Actually, they had to donate, then they had to "consult" with GLBT organizations (read: pay for hotel stay, minibar included), and then they created the policy. :P

Jesse Jackson would be proud.

Not all h(m)otel stays end well, though. See: MLK.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Neil on March 05, 2010, 12:12:05 PM
It'd be nice if NAMBLA or some other gay group got taken out at one of these.  Their evil is irritating.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 12:12:43 PM
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on March 05, 2010, 11:59:11 AM
Impossible to regulate something like this on a p2p network gaming platform.  On the PC of course, good servers will perma ban people for racist or anti homo comments

I don't think this is about the abuse (I mean the part about abuse was present in the old XBox rules). The problem was that they totally banned the word "gay", which led to banning of people with nicknames like "GayBear" or "Happy&Gay", but people with names like "Proud2BStraight" were not banned. There was a big outcry on gay gamer websites over this about a year ago and there were calls for a boycott of Xbox. Since gaymers make up a relatively large proportion of gamers (especially in online games, it seems), Microsoft decided to bend over backwards. :P
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Neil on March 05, 2010, 12:16:45 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 12:12:43 PM
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on March 05, 2010, 11:59:11 AM
Impossible to regulate something like this on a p2p network gaming platform.  On the PC of course, good servers will perma ban people for racist or anti homo comments
I don't think this is about the abuse (I mean the part about abuse was present in the old XBox rules). The problem was that they totally banned the word "gay", which led to banning of people with nicknames like "GayBear" or "Happy&Gay", but people with names like "Proud2BStraight" were not banned. There was a big outcry on gay gamer websites over this about a year ago and there were calls for a boycott of Xbox. Since gaymers make up a relatively large proportion of gamers (especially in online games, it seems), Microsoft decided to bend over backwards. :P
Which is silly.  Gays aren't capable of maintaining boycotts due to their suceptability to advertising and their poor impulse control.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 12:20:33 PM
Quote from: Neil on March 05, 2010, 12:16:45 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 12:12:43 PM
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on March 05, 2010, 11:59:11 AM
Impossible to regulate something like this on a p2p network gaming platform.  On the PC of course, good servers will perma ban people for racist or anti homo comments
I don't think this is about the abuse (I mean the part about abuse was present in the old XBox rules). The problem was that they totally banned the word "gay", which led to banning of people with nicknames like "GayBear" or "Happy&Gay", but people with names like "Proud2BStraight" were not banned. There was a big outcry on gay gamer websites over this about a year ago and there were calls for a boycott of Xbox. Since gaymers make up a relatively large proportion of gamers (especially in online games, it seems), Microsoft decided to bend over backwards. :P
Which is silly.  Gays aren't capable of maintaining boycotts due to their suceptability to advertising and their poor impulse control.

Touche. :P
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: DisturbedPervert on March 05, 2010, 12:26:41 PM
Quote from: Neil on March 05, 2010, 12:16:45 PM
Which is silly.  Gays aren't capable of maintaining boycotts due to their suceptability to advertising and their poor impulse control.

Neither are straights.  The boycott of the PC version of MW2 was enormous on the internet, in reality it still sold a million copies
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 03:05:40 PM
Quote from: Syt on March 05, 2010, 12:10:39 PM
Not all h(m)otel stays end well, though. See: MLK.

Did a good job jump-starting Jesse's career.  Especially after he smeared MLK's blood on his clothes.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 03:19:43 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 12:12:43 PM
The problem was that they totally banned the word "gay", which led to banning of people with nicknames like "GayBear" or "Happy&Gay", but people with names like "Proud2BStraight" were not banned.

IIRC, their rules were such that *any* expression of sexual identity (gay or straight) was subject to banning/other action.  The intent was not to suppress gay people, but to make the job easier for the "Xbox Police", who would have otherwise had to respond to a shit-ton of harassment claims.  It's not hard to see why Xbox had the old policy if you look at things from an enforcement perspective.

Now the gays will have their gay tags & whatnot, and will be taunted & harassed by a multitude of immature and/or impolite gamers, and ultimately the number of Xbox bannings will go up.  I hope Xbox has the staff to handle the increased workload.

I'd be okay with keeping gay and straight terms banned, but no, we have to allow the gays to be all in your face about it.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Alexandru H. on March 05, 2010, 03:25:14 PM
For a future Hitler-like dictator, the X-Box list of gay users might be the "List"..
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: grumbler on March 05, 2010, 03:44:37 PM
Quote from: Alexandru H. on March 05, 2010, 03:25:14 PM
For a future Hitler-like dictator, the X-Box list of gay users might be the "List"..
:hope:
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 03:19:43 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 12:12:43 PM
The problem was that they totally banned the word "gay", which led to banning of people with nicknames like "GayBear" or "Happy&Gay", but people with names like "Proud2BStraight" were not banned.

IIRC, their rules were such that *any* expression of sexual identity (gay or straight) was subject to banning/other action.  The intent was not to suppress gay people, but to make the job easier for the "Xbox Police", who would have otherwise had to respond to a shit-ton of harassment claims.  It's not hard to see why Xbox had the old policy if you look at things from an enforcement perspective.

Now the gays will have their gay tags & whatnot, and will be taunted & harassed by a multitude of immature and/or impolite gamers, and ultimately the number of Xbox bannings will go up.  I hope Xbox has the staff to handle the increased workload.

I'd be okay with keeping gay and straight terms banned, but no, we have to allow the gays to be all in your face about it.

That's not true. The furore was exactly over the fact that straight terms were not being banned and gay were. Love the use of the "in your face" expression. Another of the "key words" to spot a bigot, btw.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:15:01 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 05:06:14 PM
That's not true. The furore was exactly over the fact that straight terms were not being banned and gay were.

I was talking about the policy.  I don't know if they were applying it unevenly or not; wonder if there is an unbiased source that can confirm?

QuoteLove the use of the "in your face" expression. Another of the "key words" to spot a bigot, btw.

It was a vague Family Guy reference.  I watched "Something Something Something Dark Side" last night & it popped into my head. 

But I'm okay with you calling me a bigot :)
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: garbon on March 05, 2010, 05:21:17 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:15:01 PM
But I'm okay with you calling me a bigot :)

One should call a spade, a spade. :)

Incidentally it is amusing when people complain about gays flaunting their sexuality. As if we could ever drown out the overly oppressive heterosexual message.

Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:22:20 PM
No clue where Ed pulled his article, but here is a Cnet article: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10464728-52.html

It mentions the old policy:

QuoteUp until now, Microsoft's policy has been to bar any discussion of sexuality in profiles or gamertags, which prevented those who wanted to publicly identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender from doing so. Toulouse said at the time that 98 percent of Xbox Live members using the term "gay" did so in a derogatory manner, rather than as a way of self-identification.

And here's a lovely nugget from Xbox chief Marc Whitten after he had a hole drilled in his skull & a Diversity chip installed in his brain:

Quote"I truly believe that our diversity is what makes us strong," said Whitten of the 23-million member Xbox Live service, "diversity in gaming and entertainment options, and diversity in the people that make up this amazing community.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 05:24:38 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 05, 2010, 05:21:17 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:15:01 PM
But I'm okay with you calling me a bigot :)

One should call a spade, a spade. :)

Incidentally it is amusing when people complain about gays flaunting their sexuality. As if we could ever drown out the overly oppressive heterosexual message.

Uhum. It's funny how almost every heterosexual man wants to show you not only that he has a woman he engages in a sexual activity with (a wedding ring) but also that he actually puts his penis into her vagina (kids' photos). It is truly disgusting.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2010, 05:28:06 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 05, 2010, 05:21:17 PM
One should call a spade, a spade. :)

Incidentally it is amusing when people complain about gays flaunting their sexuality. As if we could ever drown out the overly oppressive heterosexual message.
What the fuck are you talking about?
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:31:46 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 05, 2010, 05:21:17 PM
One should call a spade, a spade. :)

Must you bring race into this discussion?   :mad:

QuoteIncidentally it is amusing when people complain about gays flaunting their sexuality. As if we could ever drown out the overly oppressive heterosexual message.

I'm really sorry you're being oppressed  :cry:

But are straight people constantly in your face saying 'I'M STRAIGHT I'M STRAIGHT LOOK AT ME I'M STRAIGHT'?

I mean, it's one thing to be who you are.  Quite another to attention-whore about it.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: garbon on March 05, 2010, 05:35:45 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:31:46 PM
Must you bring race into this discussion?   :mad:

Why not?

Quote from: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:31:46 PMI'm really sorry you're being oppressed  :cry:

But are straight people constantly in your face saying 'I'M STRAIGHT I'M STRAIGHT LOOK AT ME I'M STRAIGHT'?

I mean, it's one thing to be who you are.  Quite another to attention-whore about it.

Actually they are. Not with those exact words, but I'm not sure I've ever had a day where I didn't see heterosexuality brazenly flaunted about.  Of course, straight people will tell you that they are just living their lives.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: garbon on March 05, 2010, 05:36:50 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2010, 05:28:06 PM
What the fuck are you talking about?

Was I not using English?
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2010, 05:38:32 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 05, 2010, 05:36:50 PM
Was I not using English?
You were using the special kind of English taught in gay pride seminars that sounds like weasely bullshit to the rest of us.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:40:12 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 05, 2010, 05:35:45 PM
Actually they are. Not with those exact words, but I'm not sure I've ever had a day where I didn't see heterosexuality brazenly flaunted about.  Of course, straight people will tell you that they are just living their lives.

Are you insinuating what your pal Marty more blatantly spouted? 
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 05:43:10 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2010, 05:38:32 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 05, 2010, 05:36:50 PM
Was I not using English?
You were using the special kind of English taught in gay pride seminars that sounds like weasely bullshit to the rest of us.

The "rest of us" being you and the other bigots? Straight people "flaunt" their sexuality all the time. It is pretty common for straight people to discuss (or let others know, at the very least) that they are married (or have a boyfriend/girlfriend, or that they are single but looking etc.), that they have kids or plan to have, or that they find a given person of the opposite sex attractive.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: The Brain on March 05, 2010, 05:44:57 PM
Newsflash: normal sex isn't fucking disgusting to the majority of people.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 05:48:15 PM
Quote from: The Brain on March 05, 2010, 05:44:57 PM
Newsflash: normal sex isn't fucking disgusting to the majority of people.

Well go fuck yourself then. If you don't want to be reminded about the sexual lifestyles of others, don't go around telling others about yours.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Alexandru H. on March 05, 2010, 05:49:19 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 05:43:10 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2010, 05:38:32 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 05, 2010, 05:36:50 PM
Was I not using English?
You were using the special kind of English taught in gay pride seminars that sounds like weasely bullshit to the rest of us.

The "rest of us" being you and the other bigots? Straight people "flaunt" their sexuality all the time. It is pretty common for straight people to discuss (or let others know, at the very least) that they are married (or have a boyfriend/girlfriend, or that they are single but looking etc.), that they have kids or plan to have, or that they find a given person of the opposite sex attractive.

I rarely visit this site but I know more about your sexual habits than those of my closest "real world" friends. If I'd concentrate, I'd bet I'd remember the details of the thread in which you showed the whole forum how non-penetrating gay sex looks like. What fucking straight guy flaunts these datails in your face?
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: The Brain on March 05, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 05:48:15 PM
Quote from: The Brain on March 05, 2010, 05:44:57 PM
Newsflash: normal sex isn't fucking disgusting to the majority of people.

Well go fuck yourself then. If you don't want to be reminded about the sexual lifestyles of others, don't go around telling others about yours.

Nice try. I know you'd kill to know more details about my sex life.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:52:38 PM
I'd kill to avoid hearing any more details about Marty's.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: garbon on March 05, 2010, 06:06:28 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:40:12 PM
Are you insinuating what your pal Marty more blatantly spouted? 

No, I don't mind people flaunting their children and think that was a weak example.  I'm talking about those straight people who are all kissing in public, holding hands, going on about how great their marriages are, etc. Oh and especially straight men that blatantly check girls out on the street / cat call. I mean wtf people? Calm it down.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: garbon on March 05, 2010, 06:08:51 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 05, 2010, 05:38:32 PM
You were using the special kind of English taught in gay pride seminars that sounds like weasely bullshit to the rest of us.

And that is different from straight people who whining about gays flaunting?
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: garbon on March 05, 2010, 06:09:27 PM
Quote from: The Brain on March 05, 2010, 05:44:57 PM
Newsflash: normal sex isn't fucking disgusting to the majority of people.

What's normal?
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: The Brain on March 05, 2010, 06:12:55 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 05, 2010, 06:09:27 PM
Quote from: The Brain on March 05, 2010, 05:44:57 PM
Newsflash: normal sex isn't fucking disgusting to the majority of people.

What's normal?

Missionary once a week with the lights out.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: garbon on March 05, 2010, 06:19:49 PM
Hole in sheet?
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Ed Anger on March 05, 2010, 06:23:06 PM
Thread: Exceeded expectations. Thanks everybody.  :)
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: PDH on March 05, 2010, 07:04:54 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 05, 2010, 06:23:06 PM
Thread: Exceeded expectations. Thanks everybody.  :)
and THIS is an example of why I was the only quaestor in the army who followed you to Rome.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 09:16:30 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 05, 2010, 06:06:28 PM
No, I don't mind people flaunting their children and think that was a weak example.
Dang.  That would have given me some more material to go on.

QuoteI'm talking about those straight people who are all kissing in public, holding hands,
I'm not a huge fan of PDAs myself.

Quotegoing on about how great their marriages are, etc.

Oh man, you're right on with that one.  Once we start talking about how awesome our marriages are, you just can't stop us.

QuoteOh and especially straight men that blatantly check girls out on the street / cat call. I mean wtf people? Calm it down.

Yep, that's annoying.  My favorite here in Cincy are the black dudes whose idea of flirting with women is to yell at them from across the parking lot, usually with their cellphones at the ready in case they get 'digits'.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Martinus on March 06, 2010, 01:40:42 AM
Quote from: garbon on March 05, 2010, 06:06:28 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 05, 2010, 05:40:12 PM
Are you insinuating what your pal Marty more blatantly spouted? 

No, I don't mind people flaunting their children and think that was a weak example.  I'm talking about those straight people who are all kissing in public, holding hands, going on about how great their marriages are, etc. Oh and especially straight men that blatantly check girls out on the street / cat call. I mean wtf people? Calm it down.

I didn't mean to say I mind it. I just wanted to make them realize how overwhelming the "flaunting" from hetero people is - they just don't realize it, since it is so much part of the mainstream culture.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: garbon on March 06, 2010, 02:29:56 AM
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2010, 01:40:42 AM
I didn't mean to say I mind it. I just wanted to make them realize how overwhelming the "flaunting" from hetero people is - they just don't realize it, since it is so much part of the mainstream culture.

Don't worry, boo. I got your back on this issue. :hug:
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Alexandru H. on March 06, 2010, 03:32:03 AM
Heteros that flaunt their marriage/kids/sex life are idiots. Who the hell thinks marriage is a good idea besides ugly women and homosexuals?
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: DontSayBanana on March 06, 2010, 05:08:22 PM
Quote from: Alexandru H. on March 06, 2010, 03:32:03 AM
Heteros that flaunt their marriage/kids/sex life are idiots. Who the hell thinks marriage is a good idea besides ugly women and homosexuals?

Those attempting to cheapen the value of a relationship by saying it's solely for procreation?
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: Josquius on March 06, 2010, 05:09:44 PM
Good news. All those American kids shouting about each other being gay make xbox live intolerable.

Quote
Uhum. It's funny how almost every heterosexual man wants to show you not only that he has a woman he engages in a sexual activity with (a wedding ring) but also that he actually puts his penis into her vagina (kids' photos). It is truly disgusting.
On Earth we call this thing 'love'.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: PDH on March 06, 2010, 06:39:05 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 05, 2010, 05:48:15 PM
Well go fuck yourself then. If you don't want to be reminded about the sexual lifestyles of others, don't go around telling others about yours.

I can see your point. You live in a land where people have a lifestyle in overwhelming numbers, a culture almost with a history and social values that they are tied to. Just living this life means that you, and outsider gets it thrown in your face every day, and you can't change your core self. So you are faced to either give up your values and accept the majority, or turn to radicalism.

Go back to Mecca, Mohammed.
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: garbon on March 07, 2010, 04:37:55 AM
Quote from: PDH on March 06, 2010, 06:39:05 PM
I can see your point. You live in a land where people have a lifestyle in overwhelming numbers, a culture almost with a history and social values that they are tied to. Just living this life means that you, and outsider gets it thrown in your face every day, and you can't change your core self. So you are faced to either give up your values and accept the majority, or turn to radicalism.

Go back to Mecca, Mohammed.

Less crack, k, sweetie? :console:
Title: Re: Xbox Live gayed up.
Post by: garbon on March 07, 2010, 04:41:36 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 06, 2010, 05:09:44 PM
On Earth we call this thing 'love'.

Sex equals love?