The web is currently buzzing due to Microsoft and their stances on sexual orientation on Xbox Live. According to a report on The Consumerist blog, a girl named Teresa says she was being harassed by other gamers on Xbox Live due to her profile identifying her as a lesbian. When she spoke to Microsoft about the situation, she claims they told her other gamers found her orientation “offensive”.
Teresa has said:
“…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.”
Microsoft was reached for a statement regarding the incident. They claim that they don’t allow expressions of any sexuality in Gamertags or profiles. They also reminded that they take harassment very seriously and don’t condone any form of it.
Microsoft’s official statement:
“As stated in the Xbox Live Terms of Use, a member may not create a gamertag or use text in other profile fields that include comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate content of a potentially sexual nature. Profiles that do are asked to change the language and suspended until changes are made. In regards to sexual orientation, for gamertags or profiles we do not allow expression of any type of orientation, be that hetero or other. Players can, however, self identify in voice communication where context is more easily explained to all players involved.
“Harassment of any kind is not condoned and is taken very seriously; we strongly encourage Xbox Live members to immediately report inappropriate behavior through the compliant tools in the service so that it can be investigated and the appropriate action taken.”
“The Xbox Live community grows daily, and we continue to explore methods and levels of enforcement to enhance the ways our members connect and have fun, while adhering to a code of conduct that encourages respect and keeps the service safe and fun for all our members.”
GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) has spoken to both Sony and Microsoft regarding their harassment policies for online games. Since the launch of Sony’s Beta for Home launched last year, GLAAD has been actively working with the companies to ensure a comfortable atmosphere for all gamers. GLAAD has this to say regarding the policies:
“After talking with both Sony and Microsoft, GLAAD began to notice a common thread in both of the gaming giant’s policies – they were both put in place to fight and/or prevent defamation. It sounds counterintuitive to some, and to even us at first, but upon further review and discussion, the issue at hand became clearer.”
GLAAD has also stated that both Sony and Microsoft were openly willing to discuss these policies as well as possible new ideas. Microsoft even invited GLAAD to its headcourters in Redmond, WA for multiple meetings with executives, policy enforcers, and developers.
It’s a good sign to see that Microsoft is willing to discuss ways to make an environment that is safe and inclusive to all gamers. One thing that still upsets me personally is that certain gamers are still harassing people much like Teresa to such a level (she claimed they used homophobic slurs against her.) As a gamer, I feel that when I play games it gives me a chance to escape the real world and enter a place to get away from reality for a few hours. When other people try to take that away from me or someone else, it kind of defeats some of the purpose of online gaming. In any case, Microsoft and Sony’s willingness to cooperate shows their dedication to providing entertainment to everyone.
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