As reported on The Consumerist, a woman who identified herself as a lesbian on her Xbox LIVE account was suspended from the service because of it.
The woman, known as “Teresa”, told The Consumerist;
I just recently saw a thing on your site about someones gamer tag being banned because it had the word gay in the tag.
I had a similar incident, only my account was suspended because I had said in my profile that I was a lesbian. I was harassed by several players, ‘chased’ to different maps/games to get away from their harassment. They followed me into the games and told all the other players to turn me in because they didn’t want to see that crap or their kids to see that crap.
As if xbox live is really appropriate for kids anyways! My account was suspended and xbox live did nothing to solve this, but instead said others found it offensive.
Today I received a message from another gamer calling me a fag. I am a lesbian, so they aren’t too smart if they cant get their anti-gay slurs right.
Microsoft does nothing to stop this or prevent it, but instead sides with the homophobes. No one will help me get the word out about Microsoft’s anti-gay policy. Not even the HRC who says Microsoft has a positive image with them. Not to me it doesn’t!
So why is Microsoft full of homophobes? Why even create a “Bio” section if these people can’t even say who they really are? I understand there are immature kids out there who see it as a big joke, but when it comes to the end of the day, these people shouldn’t be harassed over their sexuality, and they certainly shouldn’t be banned from Xbox LIVE over it.
The anonymity of the internet (XBL, PSN, etc) makes everyone think they're a keyboard hero. This is just f***ing ridiculous.
LOL.. you know.. it's true.. unfortunately the ignorant 12 year olds are the ones that cause the majority of the problems on XBL.. maybe they need to make it age restricted? Would make me happy.. but then again.. why wouldn't these people who are getting harassed just block the people who keep giving them shit? That's why there is an option on your dashboard to mute everyone except those on your friends list.. so you don't have to deal with puberty all over again.
I think microsoft may have crossed the line…..but what else is new……. People don't want their kids to see that huh?……thats like saying being homosexual is wrong….. people in this world need to grow up. That situation is also something you could file a lawsuit for, they just can't ban you from xboxlive for expressing who you are on your bio. Specialy for expressing something like that.
Yeah.. they really should look into the harassment.. that's an actual law that these people are breaking. Where is the BanHammer when you need it??
It's also disturbing that they didn't do anything about the harassment….not even looking into it…..
I've got nothing against lesbians.. or gays for that matter.. and bottom line.. Microsoft should shut the hell up and let people be who they are.. The gov. shouldn't be monitoring people's relationships or sexual orientation.. and neither should Xbox..
But apparently the same guilty parents will buy Mass Effect and GTAIV for their foul mouthed, close minded, mouth breathing spawn. It's harder for me to even want to get on Live in random matches because I end up pulling off my headset for fear that I am losing IQ points.
The more people shoved into one place, the lower the collective IQ gets. Airplanes, concerts, the internet :P
LMAO.. very very true.. but then again.. when the IQ of the actual individuals doesn't even break 90… then the numbers don't add up too quickly
ha….very good point Ty. It's quite funny how stupid society can be sometimes.
Oh man, you have NO idea. I work in this gaming retail hell, and half of parents should be shot. Typical conversation: "ma'am, you're aware this game is rated Mature for Excessive Violence, Sexual Situations, Nudity, Repeated Drug Use, and Foul language?" Mom looks at 9 year old boy who is drooling at the mouth, and says "It's ok!"
Please stop spawning until you can take responsibility for your children.
That is sad. When I was at my local Gamestop picking up my pre-order of Killzone 2, I heard a father justifying his purchase of GTA IV for his 7 year old son by saying that is all they will play… This world we live in makes me sad sometimes.
The HRC actually lists Microsoft and Xbox in a guide they publish on companies, products and services that support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. I guess that needs to be revised!!
But then you don't get to talk to the descent people on xbl either. And with all the 12 year olds with multiple accounts, it's hard to just block them. Some seem to have an endless arsenal of accounts. Then if you do manage to block and mute them all….they get all their girly voiced friends to chip in….