Identifying Yourself As A Lesbian Gets You Banned On XBOX Live

[Brad.]

Still, a ban is pretty damn harsh. Maybe a stern warning and blocking her from writing anything in her motto or bio.

[Eric Veteran]

Can I call it discrimination if I am forced to buy Coke since that's all the Cinema serves but I only drink Pepsi?

I meant some Neowin member was banned on XBL for shouting etc. I replied to someone else.

As I stated earlier, Coke and Pepsi are products, not people. You can choose not to purchase the Coke if you prefer Pepsi.

Is there a law preventing a business from discriminating against sexual orientation?

Last I heard religion, sex (not sexual orientation), and race are protected.

Besides, I consider it in MS's best interest to maintain as much member annonimity as possible. Less, they end up being sued by the lesbian for being harrassed by it's members.

Agreed. They should not allow profiles. Gamertag and achievements only.

[0sit0]

I agree a ban was a bit harsh. She probably didn't know she couldn't do it and a warning would have been nice.

[Digitalx]

because of the controversy view on such topics/opinions ranging between people specifically in the US i'd say don't flaunt something you know may backfire on you and as i said earlier there's a time and place for everything and flaunting sexual orientation needlessly in an environment not suitable for it. It's no different for an older male to talk about having sex with a female in a room full of 13 year olds he'll get banned too. It's a place for gaming not politics or opinions or battlefronts on sensitive social topics such as public acceptance of a sexual orientation.

It's poor judgment on her behalf. She was obviously being a bulleye for shooting for bringing up such a topic in such of place as xbox live. So no i don't think she should be given the attention or time of day for her actions. I don't have nothing against gays but i have a problem with people who think they need to justify it and flaunt it in everyones face like it's ok. Once she gets some common sense she can then probably be accepted without being banned.

Don't bring sex or porn/sexually flaunting discussions to neowin you won't get banned or warned. (i know subscribers can get away with it but it's a general rule for majority of board). This is example of common sense. Don't put yourself in a position to be flamebait and you won't receive negative attention like she didn't do. So show her no pity at all.

/thread.

[Sethos]

Start up another Neowin clan while you're at it, "Muff Divers Inc." :|

[BajiRav]

As I stated earlier, Coke and Pepsi are products, not people. You can choose not to purchase the Coke if you prefer Pepsi.

Agreed. They should not allow profiles. Gamertag and achievements only.

I am somewhat confused about your reply :p

But I was hoping the analogy works like this

Xbox Live ~ Cinema

Sexual Orientation ~ Soda

Similar to how I can choose to not insist on Pepsi since the cinema doesn't allow it - this girl can choose to not insist on putting any sexual content in her profile.

She was not banned for being Lesbian - she was banned for putting it in her profile. There is a difference.

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*shakes head at sexual orientation ~ soda and slaps himself.

[Sillysam]

Start up another Neowin clan while you're at it, "Muff Divers Inc." :|

HA,HA! Love it :) so true, I do not give a rats *** if you are gay so yah keep it to your self. Your Gay pride blinds you to much.

[Kronir]

Only thing I can see in the TOS related to this is being banned for having any thing related to sexual content. Is saying you're gay/lesbian REALLY sexual content? Or did she say it to stop the many perverts on xbox live who hit on female gamers?

Given it is a family service, yes it would be in this case, I think. I'm sure there's plenty of parents out there who don't want younger children exposed to the whole gay, straight, and lesbian thing as much as possible. That's not the place to be detailing every detail of your life; its a family-oriented gaming community, not your personal soapbox.

[0sit0]

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.

Ok... now I agree with her.

[BajiRav]

Given it is a family service, yes it would be in this case, I think. I'm sure there's plenty of parents out there who don't want younger children exposed to the whole gay, straight, and lesbian thing as much as possible. That's not the place to be detailing every detail of your life; its a family-oriented gaming community, not your personal soapbox.

+1

[Andre S. Veteran]

Although I think homosexuality isn't something to be proud of, I don't personally take offense if someone mentions that in their profile. This just shows how people are immature. Well, people on Xbox Live, that's to be expected anyway.

At the same time, she clearly ignored the terms of service, so Microsoft can't be blamed.

[Eric Veteran]

+1

Then they should make it family-oriented by doing something about the voice chat abuse. I'd much rather my child read that a player is gay than have another player scream epithets at them.

[Draken]

Bad move Kushan, we only know her part of the history, don't risk you gamertag and points ;)

[Brad.]

Then they should make it family-oriented by doing something about the voice chat abuse. I'd much rather my child read that a player is gay than have another player scream epithets at them.

Yup. The things i've heard from people that sound about 12 years old is horrendous.

[freeza]

Why do so many gay people feel the need to declare to the world that they are gay anyway? It's really very tedious.

With regards to this matter, it seems clear to anyone whose knees don't jerk at the slightest thing, that this has nothing to do with her being a lesbian. It is, quite obviously, about inappropriate content in an inappropriate medium. There are far more appropriate places and mediums for her to discuss her sexual preferences.

If she didn't have the puerile need to declare to the world "Look at me, I'm a lesbian", then this wouldn't be an issue.

amen!

[Kronir]

Then they should make it family-oriented by doing something about the voice chat abuse.

I would agree with that, too; the voice chat is out of control. Now, I will readily admit that I do not nor plan to own an XBox nor have XBox Live, but I have used it. And the immaturity of the kids on there is obscene. I suppose that's why I like PC gaming better; most of the servers I've gotten on have had proper use of voice chat (some folks can even be downright entertaining). I guess its because Halo isn't as popular on the PC platform. :p

[Brad.]

Oh my god.

Why is everyone accusing her of blurting it out to the damn world? Sure, she said she's a lesbian but what if she put it there as there were guys harassing her as she's female? I know i've said this before, but some people just aren't being considerate :rolleyes:

[.Kompressor]

I bet this whole thing started because she kicked some guy's butts in a game. lol

[karma]

Oh dear... :shiftyninja:

[Kushan]

Just because it's "family friendly", I do not see why that means people shouldn't be able to talk about being Gay or Lesbian. It's part of our culture now and there's no reason to hide people's exposure to it.

To be honest, I think the whole issue is silly (hence me making light of it here), but it does worry me slightly that a bunch of idiots on Live can cause so much harassment to someone.

Yes, it's true she didn't have to state that she's a lesbian and some might argue that she brought it upon herself, but I have a very good friend of mine who claims she is a lesbian online specifically to stop people harassing her. Apparently us horny males just go nuts at hearing a female voice in a game and it's much easier to just say "I'm a lesbian" than it is to say "not interested". And she's DEFINITELY no lesbian (although she does like girls, but I digress...). So what choice did this girl have? Either way she has to deal with idiots (I suppose we all do, but her moreso) and it's sad that it's come to this.

Equal rights for everyone and all that...and if you don't like it, gtfo.

[Sethos]

On another note, let's hook up Kushan. I'm lesbian as well. :wub:

[Kushan]

Damn straight!

Unfortunately, I'm in a bit of a relationship at the moment...so it'll have to be your place ;)

[Brad.]

Equal rights for everyone and all that...and if you don't like it, gtfo.

Amen.

I would side with MS's TOS if she put ''I'm a lesbian, **** off guys I don't dig penis''. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with a woman saying ''I am a lesbian'', but hell, my opinion doesn't matter :p

[Emn1ty]

What's the point of telling anyone their sexuality, race, etc.?

So I can correct them when they call me a fat thirty-year-old nerd with no life.

I'm the definition of skinny, white kid.

[BajiRav]

Damn straight!

Unfortunately, I'm in a bit of a relationship at the moment...so it'll have to be your place ;)

She has equal rights on XBL : MS confirmed that they would ban people if they had straight orientation as well.

edit:Arghh wrong quote..