EA Hosting Panel on hom ophobia in Gaming

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/93197-EA-Hosting-Panel-on-Homophobia-in-Gaming

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'Electronic Arts and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) will host a panel discussion on homophobia in gaming this weekend with panelists from Maxis, Linden Labs, Microsoft and more.

Homophobia is something of a hot topic in the gaming community nowadays. Everybody knows that it's not easy to be openly gay on services like Xbox Live, but recent news has shown that the issue of how to handle homophobia, and homosexuality in general, isn't just a concern when it comes to gamers themselves but game companies as well.

Some of those companies, then, are coming together this weekend to discuss the issue of homophobia in gaming and the problems surrounding it. "Homophobia in Virtual Communities Panel" is a panel discussion hosted by Electronic Arts and organized by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) that "brings together gaming industry insiders and LGBT gamers in a conversation about combating homophobia online."

Panelists include Stephen Toulouse of Microsoft, who was recently in the spotlight during this spring's gay Gamertag" controversy, Flynn DeMarco, games journalist and founder of GayGamer.net, and folks from the ESA, Maxis and Linden Labs. The panel will be moderated by Justin Cole, the Director of Digital & Online Media for GLAAD.

"Panelists will be addressing such issues as how to provide safe spaces for LGBT people online, how to ensure the best policies are in place to prevent virtual attacks against LGBT people and how to educate the users of online communities about the effects of homophobia," GLAAD wrote.

The panel is open to the public and will take place at EA's headquarters in Redwood City, CA, and take place from 11 AM to 1 PM. It should be an interesting discussion, so if you're in the area and interested in these issues, check it out. If you can't make it, GLAAD says the event will be recorded for distribution, so we'll probably hear what comes out of the panel sometime soon.'

This is...interesting.

Finally Something that EA is doing that will affect me in a good way.

I wonder if there is a bible thumping union on gamespot. They will scream boycott EA. LOLZ.

Glad to see the gaming industry is attempting to be somewhat proactive about the issue.

Meh, doesn't effect me since I guess I don't play homophobic games...Toriko42

Meh, doesn't effect me since I guess I don't play homophobic games...Toriko42

Huh. I didn't realize the homophobia was only restricted to certain games...:roll:

i do not understand what it mean to be (openly gay ) when you play video games ? what people are doing in their bedroom is personal and xbox live isnt the place to find a lover .legol1

So you'd be all for censorship, then? Because if that's the case, then everyone on XBL who talked about their girlfriends or wives or whatever would have to be censored as well, to keep things equal.

Besides, this has alot to do with insults and slurs that get tossed around online, too, regardless of whether or not there are openly gay gamers present.

This isn't really going to change much, developers want to make as much money as possible. If you made Master Cheif really gay in Halo 4 then it would sell less as a lot of people who are anti gay will not buy it. And I don't see the need for this to be even brought up, we are talking about video games, what does someones sexual preferences have to do with it?.

[QUOTE="legol1"]i do not understand what it mean to be (openly gay ) when you play video games ? what people are doing in their bedroom is personal and xbox live isnt the place to find a lover .svetzenlether

So you'd be all for censorship, then? Because if that's the case, then everyone on XBL who talked about their girlfriends or wives or whatever would have to be censored as well, to keep things equal.

Besides, this has alot to do with insults and slurs that get tossed around online, too, regardless of whether or not there are openly gay gamers present.

good for EA. also i never quite understood why gamers are sohomophobic all you hear now a days online is how your a (insert homosexual slur) or a (insert african american slur)

[QUOTE="legol1"]i do not understand what it mean to be (openly gay ) when you play video games ? what people are doing in their bedroom is personal and xbox live isnt the place to find a lover .svetzenlether

So you'd be all for censorship, then? Because if that's the case, then everyone on XBL who talked about their girlfriends or wives or whatever would have to be censored as well, to keep things equal.

Besides, this has alot to do with insults and slurs that get tossed around online, too, regardless of whether or not there are openly gay gamers present.

[QUOTE="Toriko42"]Meh, doesn't effect me since I guess I don't play homophobic games...svetzenlether

Huh. I didn't realize the homophobia was only restricted to certain games...:roll:

[QUOTE="svetzenlether"]

[QUOTE="legol1"]i do not understand what it mean to be (openly gay ) when you play video games ? what people are doing in their bedroom is personal and xbox live isnt the place to find a lover .legol1

So you'd be all for censorship, then? Because if that's the case, then everyone on XBL who talked about their girlfriends or wives or whatever would have to be censored as well, to keep things equal.

Besides, this has alot to do with insults and slurs that get tossed around online, too, regardless of whether or not there are openly gay gamers present.

Well, if you're condoning that, then you also must be willing to restrict yourself to an exclusively French Canadian forum, because it's the same thing.

Why does something like XBL have to be so exclusionary?

this is exactly what i am doing i only talking with french canadian in private chat and nobody are insulting me and i am not complainig . you cant forced hetero to like homo cant you understand that?legol1

[QUOTE="legol1"]this is exactly what i am doing i only talking with french canadian in private chat and nobody are insulting me and i am not complainig . you cant forced hetero to like homo cant you understand that?Zaistev_basic

Finally Something that EA is doing that will affect me in a good way.

Communistsheep

I don't agree with people being gay as i don't believe its right, but i'd never say anything horrible to them or be intentionally aggressive in anyway. In fact i have quite a few gay friends who i've known since we were kids. I just don't want to know what people get upto in the privacy of their own bedrooms or homes, just the same as me not wanted to hear a straight person talking about their wives or husbands/bf/gf.jonesy1911

[QUOTE="jonesy1911"]I don't agree with people being gay as i don't believe its right, but i'd never say anything horrible to them or be intentionally aggressive in anyway. In fact i have quite a few gay friends who i've known since we were kids. I just don't want to know what people get upto in the privacy of their own bedrooms or homes, just the same as me not wanted to hear a straight person talking about their wives or husbands/bf/gf.cainetao11

[QUOTE="Brownesque"][QUOTE="rybe1025"]As far as MS trying to make sure XBL is clean enough even for the soccer moms as you put it I think GOOD. Little kids play XBL and should not be forced to listen to it. People do not have freedom of speech in XBL.XBL and PSN are both companies whos service you are using. Also why does someone have to inform others of their sexual style one way or another over XBL? I have never once felt the urge when playing XBL to say Hey everybody just so you know I like boobies! I play the game and that is it.I will never understand how someone could feel censored because they are not allowed to tell everyone over a company internet service who they enoy having sex with. People need to shut about their bedroom life and just play the game. rybe1025

Perhaps Game Companies can retroactively make some game characters more ambiguious. You now, Square's been doing that for quite ahwile now. Still same fun game. Be interesting to see what EA's Hosting Panel can accomplish with this.

Perhaps we will see finally learn more about Master Chief and his buddies in Halo : Reach.

Well, name a few homophobic games. Although there are gay characters in games, few are as offensive as Tingle from Wind Waker (Which was pretty mild in my opinion). I do understand that there are many immature people out there who would sling slurs around XBL and PSN.

Well, name a few homophobic games. Although there are gay characters in games, few are as offensive as Tingle from Wind Waker (Which was pretty mild in my opinion). I do understand that there are many immature people out there who would sling slurs around XBL and PSN.

Wikipedian

[QUOTE="Wikipedian"]

Well, name a few homophobic games. Although there are gay characters in games, few are as offensive as Tingle from Wind Waker (Which was pretty mild in my opinion). I do understand that there are many immature people out there who would sling slurs around XBL and PSN.

clubsammich91

Ah, I see. On the internet, you will run into players from all sorts of ethnic and ethical backgrounds and beliefs.

Perhaps Game Companies can retroactively make some game characters more ambiguious. You now, Square's been doing that for quite ahwile now. Still same fun game. Be interesting to see what EA's Hosting Panel can accomplish with this.

Perhaps we will see finally learn more about Master Chief and his buddies in Halo : Reach.

SolidTy

It's not like Square makes their characters "androgynos" on purpose, nor have I known anyone in real life who has seem them as such.

[QUOTE="Brownesque"][QUOTE="rybe1025"]As far as MS trying to make sure XBL is clean enough even for the soccer moms as you put it I think GOOD. Little kids play XBL and should not be forced to listen to it. People do not have freedom of speech in XBL.XBL and PSN are both companies whos service you are using. Also why does someone have to inform others of their sexual style one way or another over XBL? I have never once felt the urge when playing XBL to say Hey everybody just so you know I like boobies! I play the game and that is it.I will never understand how someone could feel censored because they are not allowed to tell everyone over a company internet service who they enoy having sex with. People need to shut about their bedroom life and just play the game. rybe1025

That doesn't have anything to do with homosexuality; it has to do with sex in general.

good for EA. also i never quite understood why gamers are sohomophobic all you hear now a days online is how your a (insert homosexual slur) or a (insert african american slur)

Ragashahs

I always assumed it was because they were 14 and it gave them some cheap thrill to say things no decent person would ever say face to face.

I don't know how much they could change in the online arena, but if they do, I hope they broaden their focus to more than just homophobic inproprieties. Racist, homphobic, fascist, and... well gee you name it, slurs are all at intolerable levels in online games.

Perhaps Game Companies can retroactively make some game characters more ambiguious. You now, Square's been doing that for quite ahwile now. Still same fun game. Be interesting to see what EA's Hosting Panel can accomplish with this.

Perhaps we will see finally learn more about Master Chief and his buddies in Halo : Reach.

SolidTy

Well... considering that Master Cheif never took off his helmet and showed no signs of sexuality, there is always the chance that we will learn more about his character and his background in Halo: Reach.

[QUOTE="rybe1025"][QUOTE="Brownesque"] It's called a mute button.hakanakumono

That doesn't have anything to do with homosexuality; it has to do with sex in general.

[QUOTE="hakanakumono"]

[QUOTE="rybe1025"]No it is called a person acting like they have no class if they have to talk about their bedroom habits on XBL or PSN. Children should not be hearing stuff from people that do not have the lack maturity to not be able to speak in a normal fashion on a company internet service.rybe1025

That doesn't have anything to do with homosexuality; it has to do with sex in general.

[QUOTE="rybe1025"][QUOTE="hakanakumono"]

That doesn't have anything to do with homosexuality; it has to do with sex in general.

Brownesque

Just wondering on psn and xbl should people be able to call blacks the N word non-stop if they want or other insults to minorities? Can people laugh and make fun of gays and say they want to beat them up or something similar?If a person knew some really embarrassing or shamful about you are they able to spread it around no matter how bad it is. I mean freedom of speech right and if they do not like they can just mute them right so they should be able to say what they want and it not matter if it bothers other parties.

To many people misunderstand what freedom of speech allows. Like I said before xbl and psn are owned by companies. YOu have to go by their rules. YOu do not have freedom of speech in those areas.

[QUOTE="hakanakumono"]

[QUOTE="rybe1025"]No it is called a person acting like they have no class if they have to talk about their bedroom habits on XBL or PSN. Children should not be hearing stuff from people that do not have the lack maturity to not be able to speak in a normal fashion on a company internet service.rybe1025

That doesn't have anything to do with homosexuality; it has to do with sex in general.

It doesn't matter if someone is talks about being gay or straight as long as it doesn't involve (explicit) sexual content.

[QUOTE="Brownesque"][QUOTE="rybe1025"]I agree. The way I see it it xbl or psn are both for gaming. There is also kids on there and people that just do not care to listen to it. I should not be able to tell if a person is gay or straight while I am playing Gears or Killzone or whatever.rybe1025

Just wondering on psn and xbl should people be able to call blacks the N word non-stop if they want or other insults to minorities? Can people laugh and make fun of gays and say they want to beat them up or something similar?If a person knew some really embarrassing or shamful about you are they able to spread it around no matter how bad it is. I mean freedom of speech right and if they do not like they can just mute them right so they should be able to say what they want and it not matter if it bothers other parties.

To many people misunderstand what freedom of speech allows. Like I said before xbl and psn are owned by companies. YOu have to go by their rules. YOu do not have freedom of speech in those areas.

I'm all for freedom of speech, however I agree there must be some boundaries and rules to be adhered to.

Bottom line is, try and respect those around you.

Peace out.