How Microsoft’s Policies Make Them Big Fat Hyprocrites Who Alienate Gay Users
March 3rd, 2009
I’m bisexual. Who cares right? Well apparently Microsoft does.
In case you don’t know the story, Microsoft suspended Teresa, an Xbox Live user for identifying herself as a lesbian in her profile. She was harassed by other users who claimed that her profile was offensive, and her account was later suspended. Microsoft’s policy has always been to ban any expression of sexual orientation in a gamertag or profile. Even still, Teresa, feels as though Microsoft sided with the very same users harassing her. Microsoft isn’t really addressing the issue head on and their stance on this policy is that it’s fair because it extends to anyone of any orientation. They also claim that their censorship policies are intended to protect users from derogatory uses of words like “gay”.
“So you can’t say that you’re straight either, that’s fair right?”
The problem with Microsoft’s policy is that it alienates gay users. Claiming that the policy is fair because it restricts any user from stating their sexual orientation “be that hetero or other” still singles out anyone who falls into “other.” While the policy does indeed extend to everyone, gay or straight, for the most part it only affects GLBT (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered) users since straight people generally have no need to announce their orientation. It’s a statistical fact that more people identify as heterosexual, it’s generally assumed that someone is straight unless they state otherwise. The simple fact is that this policy does not affect straight users and is only in place to prevent homosexuals from identifying themselves in their profiles and gamertags.
“What’s the big deal if gay users can’t say they’re gay? This is about video games, not a dating site.”
This is not a matter of gay gamers finding dates on Xbox Live. This is a social issue. Xbox live is a community. Yes a community built around gaming, but a community of people of all races, genders, origins and sexual orientations. Of course, as in any community of people, you’re bound to find majorities and minorities, and in the case of Xbox Live especially, you’ll find ignorance and intolerance. When I learned that Microsoft intends for this “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to protect users from harassment (which I might point out is moot once players start talking) makes me wonder why they never felt the need to create a similar policy in regards to identifying gender. Being a female gamer in a male dominated community, I’ve been singled out and insulted simply for being female. While I could chose not to have a feminine gamertag just as I could choose not to speak and reveal that I am female, I wouldn’t find that worth the asking price of $50 a year. I feel that by hiding my gender I would not only be missing out on a level of participation on Xbox Live, but rewarding and allowing the negative reaction of male gamers who are not accustomed to playing with females. Personally I’ve found over time that male gamers as a whole seem to be used to playing with girls. I come across fewer and fewer male gamers who even address the fact that I’m female, let alone insult me because of it. I believe this is the direct result of the fact that there are more girls on Xbox Live today than when I first joined years ago. I fear that by discouraging users to identify themselves as gay in their profiles, Microsoft is also discouraging them to fully engage in the Xbox Live community. After all if you can be reported for saying you’re gay in your profile, you’re not going to trust that Microsoft really has your back when you’re being harassed. Furthermore, users who are not accustomed to playing with gay players may never have to face the reality that some of their teammates are “batting for the other team.” By not acknowledging the presence of gay gamers tolerance amongst players can never be reached. Rather than promoting acceptance and diversity, Microsoft, more or less, is sweeping the issue under the rug.
Here’s the part where I tell you that Microsoft is being selective and hypocritical. Microsoft themselves encourages groups of people to unite and game together. A perfect example of that is Gamerchix, a segment of the Xbox Live community exclusively for female gamers. It exists to give girls a way to game together in a supportive and safe environment. While I never personally felt compelled to join, I applaud the idea of people with something in common coming together and creating a support group. The testimonials on the Gamerchix page embodies the need for their group, “Girls of all ages and from all backgrounds have a safe environment to chat and play without fear of negative comments and remarks.” Microsoft recognized a need for Gamerchix, a need for women to feel welcome on Xbox Live. Yet they specifically prohibit GBLT users from identifying themselves and expressing who they are, denying them the chance to organize on Xbox Live and create a much needed supportive environment.
Going back to Teresa’s story, was she violating Xbox policy? Yes. But was she justified in feeling singled out and bullied? From where I stand, absolutely yes. The complaint that Xbox Live is riddled with immature, hateful, vulgar users isn’t anything new. So it’s not surprising to hear that some typical XBL members insulted and harassed someone for being different. Teresa felt alienated while the members insulting her feel that they’ve won over a technicality due to a policy that perpetuates ignorance. This policy in essence caters to the loud ignorant majority and makes intelligent and open minded people want to stay far away from Xbox Live. If Microsoft truly wishes Xbox Live to thrive as a fun and safe community for all kinds of gamers, if they wish to capture a core audience of friendly, intelligent, cooperative people, then they may have to rethink their policies.
On a personal note to Microsoft as a woman who identifies as bisexual, I know that I’m not the majority on Xbox Live. I’ve certainly met my share of negative treatment on Xbox Live. I play anyway. Some rude words from strangers on the internet are not going to keep me from playing. I don’t need your help hiding who I am for my own good. Nothing that could happen to me on Xbox Live could possibly compare to the things that happened to me while openly dating a girl in a small town. So please, if you’re going to create policies that alienate me and other GLBT players, don’t hide behind the excuse that most uses of the word “gay” are negative and you’re protecting us. I’m mature enough to understand the result of being open about who I am and I don’t need your brand of help. Based on the way I feel, and the way I can only imagine Teresa feels, I stand by my statement that this is not a sexual issue, but a social one. Where’s our “environment to chat and play without fear of negative comments and remarks?” As I mentioned earlier, I never felt compelled to join Gamerchix, but I would happily join a gay-friendly Xbox Live group. I hope that Microsoft realizes the need for such a group if they ever wish to truly build a strong, diverse community to be proud of.
-Jenni Chasteen
Tags: community, featured, gamertag, gay rights, Microsoft, XBL Policies, Xbox Live
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March 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Microsoft isn’t looking to protect the users that fall into the minority of any group. They’re looking to protect the fragile minds of the majority that fear the taint of anything unfamiliar to their lives…because that’s a much larger group that might attack Microsoft, if displeased.
Regarding this story I’ve heard the argument that parents don’t want their children exposed to gay people so it was a “good call” for Microsoft. Really? Why must we cater to parents that are trying to raise their children in bubbles? And yet these same parents allow them to chat in game with strangers? Almost every time I put on my headset someone mentions getting stoned or some sort of substance abuse, but that’s ok. Oh man, but if someone says they’re gay(or straight??), they’re banned. Can’t have them exposing who they are to unsupervised kids or “moral” zealots.
I think if people want the privilege to reach out to people all over world, connect, and game…they need to step outside their precious microcosm and realize that we are different. If they don’t like it they shouldn’t cry wolf like they’re a victim. If individuals started owning their values and acting responsibly with them, companies might not feel like these policies must exist.
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Jenni Chasteen reply on March 3rd, 2009 9:34 pm:
I agree that unfortunately companies will always hesitate to take steps to take a supportive and proactive stance on this issue, especially in the case of something like Xbox Live, because I’m sure Microsoft knows that their core demographic is straight males… if it came down to users not wanting to participate in Xbox Live over this issue, then they’d be sure to protect the interests of the majority. However, I think that if Microsoft takes my advice and creates a gay friendly group similar to Gamerchix. then it wouldn’t matter as much to gay users if that this gamertag/profile policy exists. While ideally I’d like to see this policy changed as well as a group for gay gamers, I’d accept it as a fair compromise if they only started a group.
And yeah, I didn’t even want to address the “think of the children” argument because it’s always a lame excuse. I’m sick of parents demanding that the rest of the world censor itself and protect everyone’s kids from what they feel are dangerous concepts. If you don’t want your kid to know that someone they’re playing with is gay then maybe you shouldn’t let them play online with other people, or for that matter watch TV, listen to music or go outside because that’s the only way to guarantee that they won’t experience anything you don’t want them to.
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March 4th, 2009 at 9:28 am
I think the group thing is a really great idea, but I can see the arguments coming in “but then we’d have to let religious groups and hatemongers of every variety have a group.” Unfortunately this subject always falls back into whether or not these are things people can choose…an argument I won’t start right now. But that’s where people typically lump the GLBT communities. It’s unfortunate, but I thinks that’s how the discussion would go. They don’t want to take sides(even though they have) on a controversial issue. Microsoft doesn’t want to “approve” because even though it wont hurt anyone, the majority on the outside will cry and moan as if someone crawled out of their xbox and beat them til their values changed.
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March 16th, 2009 at 10:23 am
The entire issue is just pandering to a vocal minority who in reality should just grow some thicker skin. Everybody who knows more than a couple of people with ‘alternative’ orientations sexually, also probably knows at least 1 or 2 people who take every opportunity to play that card for attention or sympathy or whatever.
Its pathetic that these groups think they can disobey clearly stated rules that apply to EVERYONE and then act as if its discriminatory for the sake of it. Theres no rule saying gay gamers can’t use xbox live. Theres no rule saying straight gamers are the only ones allowed. There IS a rule that states gay gamers can’t name themselves ‘cockluver87′ and that straight gamers can’t name themselves ‘fagbasher29′.
You disobey the rule, you leave the decision in the hands of microsoft who are fully within their rights to either play lenient or kick you with the letter of the law.
If anything, this is more a reminder to me that reading the terms and conditions is ALWAYS worth doing. Perhaps if everyone did that we’d live in a less oppressive and segregated society because people wouldn’t be crying discrimination when its not needed.
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March 16th, 2009 at 10:26 am
And before you call me out on the generalization in the initial paragraph, I’m stating that from personal experience and I have no issue with it personally. Its human nature to look for any way to leverage an advantage somehow, and in todays climate, gay people have a number of positions they can take as regards leveraging their sexual orientation to their own benefit politically. The same thing happens with black people, immigrants, religions etc.
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Mike Kurz reply on March 16th, 2009 6:47 pm:
I believe you’re missing the point a little bit here. No one’s suggesting that gay / bi gamers should have special rights and / or privileges, only that they should have an opportunity to be a part of the community without being forced to hide who they are. Straight people don’t have to identify as “straight” because straight is the most common sexual orientation. That standard presents a challenge to those who identify as anything other than straight.
Should “cockluver51″ be an acceptable gamertag? No, absolutely not. It’s an offensive term. A gamertag along the lines of “gayNproud” on the other hand, should absolutely be acceptable. It’s not offensive in any way, and it gives the gamer in question the opportunity to show others who he is. Yes, it’s in violation of the policy, but in this case, the policy is discriminatory. As I said before, straight people don’t have to identify as straight - it’s the “default” sexual orientation. Therefore, this policy only has a negative impact on gay / bi gamers.
Oh, and if you want to talk about “thick skin” I’d suggest actually reading this article before you try and make that argument - specifically the part that says “I don’t need your help hiding who I am for my own good. Nothing that could happen to me on Xbox Live could possibly compare to the things that happened to me while openly dating a girl in a small town. So please, if you’re going to create policies that alienate me and other GLBT players, don’t hide behind the excuse that most uses of the word “gay” are negative and you’re protecting us. I’m mature enough to understand the result of being open about who I am and I don’t need your brand of help.” The whole point of this article is that the GLBT community should be allowed to be who they are openly - that they should be allowed to decide for themselves whether or not they want to face the slings and arrows associated with being openly gay on XBL. XBL is a community, much like a social networking site. People want to express themselves in that community, and frankly, they should be able to.
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:30 am
He’s more than missed the point. Try reading the thread of discussion before contributing. I am gay I don’t hide it but neither do I camp it up. In life most people assume I’m straight until they meet my partner at which point they have ALL been accepting. If I choose to use the word gay in my tag then I should be allowed without fear of comeback. Gay, straight, heterosexual these are just defining words. As for the 8yr old’s mother, shame on you for letting your son play halo 3 maybe some parenting skill lessons are in order. Putting the gay issue to one side why does xbox allow racial abuse to be used in gaming? Is there any comeback on these individuals who continually use foul language?
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July 21st, 2009 at 10:21 am
awesome post! glad i found your site, it was on accident though =/ check mine out if you want. im still really working on it but it should be great soon
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