Homophobia in game?

[mistergrey]

So, the other day there was this big flamewar in town because a player was sitting on random people claiming he loved them, and a few other players kept making slanderous remarks about gay people and how much they hate them. I don't think discriminating against people for their sexuality is anymore acceptable than discriminating over their race, age, etc, but while a few people showed some backbone and told those players off, most peoples' attitudes were "let's get off the gay topic, inappropriate". Anyways, I was kind of amazed at the reactions in town - if someone was there calling a player the N word or saying they hate black people, or some other race, I'm pretty sure everyone would be against them, yet when I stood up to the homophobic players, just as many were bugging me to drop the topic. Even the players I was arguing with were saying "why are you protecting the gays", which to me is stupid: I'd as easily defend anyone, and for all they know I could be gay too lol.

I guess the point of this topic, without making it about the GMs, is this: Is it more acceptable to spew hateful homophobic remarks in town than racist ones now? I'm usually the first to chime in with a good gay joke, or marry a male player for fun, but when people are outright hateful that's a different thing. I mean, that argument lasted a good while, and Narus did threaten to kick players who made anymore gay jokes, but apparently they kept harassing another player after I signed out in disgust. I don't think the subject of homosexuality is inappropriate in anyway, provided noone's making graphic jokes of that nature, but I do think players who want to insult people because of it should be dealt with just as harshly as the occasional blatant racists that show up. I mean, I saw one of them tell a player they hoped he got AIDS (or SIDA lol), and eventually I got sick of players asking me to "drop it plz", when those ones were in the wrong and weren't showing any signs of stopping. It seemed to me people were more disturbed about the topic of "gays" than the player abuse going on, and that's pretty ridiculous to me. Does anyone else see something wrong with that picture?

[meway]

Homo's hmmm I have my own opinion on the subject. I am straight. I have no problem with gay people. I don't use homosexual terms as insults. But if I gay guy or any guy for that matter hit on me knowing I am straight thats when I call him a faggot.

[mistergrey]

The fact that you'd use that word at all has lowered my opinion of you somewhat, sorry to hear that. If a girl you're not into hits on you, you probably don't call her rude names, even if you've told her you're not into her before. Instead, rather than simply assert that it'll never happen, you'd call the guy a terribly offensive name. I don't see that as justified from a guy hitting on you, maybe one that keeps grabbing and touching you, 'cause that's creepy as hell, but not that. Noone ever said you have to like a group of people, but to discriminate against them because of what they are is a nasty thing to do.

[alastrim]

I have never seen this kind of attitude in game yet, but if it is really happening, I think it must be repelled just as any kind of hateful remarks about race, religion, country, etc.

[Frost]

Homophobia is seriously uncool. If you fear someone for loving, you misunderstand terribly. If you hate them for loving, well, you've lost the plot.
Find something actually worth opposing, like poverty, gang violence, institutionalized rape, political corruption...it doesn't take much imagination. If you really need to spew hatred in the game, cuss out a speed archer: those bastards deserve it.

This weekend's Pride parade was wonderful.

[DariusBane]

I can and will vouch for mistergrey about homophobia happening in game. Think I may have even witnessed some of the event/s he describes. My sexuality is private thanks. Sexuality has no bearing on a game so, it will remain private. But as a human being I'm compelled to step up and get mistergrey's six. ( No pun or innuendo intended. ) It is offensive to see discrimination and hate in the game. I don't like it for personal and professional reasons. This is something meant as fun for everyone. Keep it that way.

By the way I diffused the players running around sitting on random folks. They sat on me. I commented "a threesome, how lovely", and smiled. They left me be right away. *chuckle* I really didn't mind either way. It's a game, so what? No need to call them dirty pillow biters or worse. Heck they might only bite clean pillows. And no I'm not saying any of this in malicious or disrespectful intent. I am illustrating a point only.

I concur mistergrey, we need to leave hate and ego at the door when we enter The Mana World. Again, it lends toward a community. And yeah, I say it's a game, so what? The idea and spirit behind it deserve more credit, deserve more dignity and respect. People volunteer to make something basically good. Then others crap on it.

Here's your sign:

We Don't Need Your Stinkin' Crap! Go Play Somewhere Else!

P.S.

Frost,

That in PA or where? Liked the whole Agenda sign, hilarious.

[meway]

Mrgrey I am mean to girls that I'm not interested in you don't know me bud

[yourmistakes]

relevant to the topic at hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfXPdJhGelk

[mistergrey]

lol, first of all, dammit Mistakes .

Secondly, Meway if that's what you focused on out of what I said, you totally missed the point, not to mention being mean to people for being attracted to you is probably not something to be proud of, since it's sort of a dick move unless they hit stalker status.

Last, I'm not even complaining about the word faggot, though it's kind of on par with other racial slurs to me, but using it to make someone feel bad about their sexuality is the worst way to use it... in fact, that's what using a "homosexual term as insults" means exactly, I know plenty of gay people who wouldn't care too much about the word itself, as long as it wasn't being used to insult them.

[yourmistakes]

im gay



no homo

[meway]

lol, first of all, dammit Mistakes .

Secondly, Meway if that's what you focused on out of what I said, you totally missed the point, not to mention being mean to people for being attracted to you is probably not something to be proud of, since it's sort of a dick move unless they hit stalker status.

Last, I'm not even complaining about the word faggot, though it's kind of on par with other racial slurs to me, but using it to make someone feel bad about their sexuality is the worst way to use it... in fact, that's what using a "homosexual term as insults" means exactly, I know plenty of gay people who wouldn't care too much about the word itself, as long as it wasn't being used to insult them.

Generally Its when they hit stalker status that I start being a dick. The word faggot I don't see as an insults because its not the way I use it, I have gay friends and straight friends and they mess with me on-purpose so I told them when a dude hits on me knowing I'm straight thats when they become a faggot. My friends know how it is Its not mean its just my view on the word. Faggot is not a gay person in my eyes, Its just the male alternate of the word Cute Kitten that I don't use often, for an example I tell some dude don't touch that fence it will hurt, and they do, I'm going to say thats what you get faggot. I don't use the other word in question as much as I just did in this post either. Your right btw I did miss the point of the topic because I only read the first sentence. Sorry if anyone feels opinionated about what is being said. Now the word Dike Is just insulting IMO

[Frost]

...being mean to people for being attracted to you is probably not something to be proud of, since it's sort of a dick move unless they hit stalker status.

Last, I'm not even complaining about the word faggot, though it's kind of on par with other racial slurs to me, but using it to make someone feel bad about their sexuality is the worst way to use it... in fact, that's what using a "homosexual term as insults" means exactly, I know plenty of gay people who wouldn't care too much about the word itself, as long as it wasn't being used to insult them.

The word faggot I don't see as an insults because its not the way I use it, I have gay friends and straight friends and they mess with me on-purpose so I told them when a dude hits on me knowing I'm straight thats when they become a faggot. My friends know how it is Its not mean its just my view on the word. Faggot is not a gay person in my eyes....Sorry if anyone feels opinionated about what is being said. Now the word Dike Is just insulting IMO

Mistergrey, thanks for explaining it better than I could have.

Meway, by replying with a long list of your opinions of what certain words mean, and what others will or will not consider hateful or threatening, you merely display a deep ignorance of the situation. Stop digging yourself in a hole and take the opportunity to learn.

P.S. DariusBane, I agree, and I like your style.

[meway]

No, It is what it is. I don't like the slang meaning and I use words how I please. Thats my right as an American.

[mistergrey]

Alright, well I'll give you that you're right about that Meway, a word is only as insulting as somebody chooses to take it, but then words mainly used as "bad" insults are obviously more likely to really offend people than other words you personally might use as insults. I might not totally agree that it's cool to use a word like that as a normal thing, only 'cause it's a word mostly used to insult a specific group of people, but that wasn't really the topic anyways. It's mostly that players seem to get away with bashing this one group and even the people around will hardly intervene, except maybe to hush the topic in case some kids are listening lol.

[Len]

1. Do not abuse other players (it means insults, swearing etc. directed to a particular person/s)

You can hate whomever you wish, for what ever reason you deem fit in real-life (dam frogs). But in TMW your freedom of expression/speech does not extend that far, end of story.

Thats my right as an American.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiyH4QS8nCk