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Xbox Allows Gay Gamer Identities


COMPUTER GAMES GAMERS X390 (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

Microsoft reversed course Friday and announced that it would allow gay Xbox LIVE users to identify themselves as such in their nicknames, or Gamertags.

The decision arrived after two years of pressure on the company, which maintained that the prohibition against gay nicknames was designed to prevent the words "gay," "straight," "lesbian," "bi," and "transgender" from being used in a derogatory way. Under the new policy, only those five words can be used for terminology related to sexual orientation.

According to PC World, Xbox LIVE general manager Marc Whitten explained Microsoft’s reasoning in an open letter.

“Under our previous policy, some of these expressions of self-identification were not allowed in Gamertags or profiles to prevent the use of these terms as insults or slurs,” said Whitten. “However we have since heard feedback from our customers that while the spirit of this approach was genuine, it inadvertently excluded a part of our Xbox LIVE community.”

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Mikey
    Date posted: 3/8/2010 10:14:09 PM
    Hometown: Florida

    Comment:

    It may be worthless news to you Davya. But to people like myself, because i'm a gamer, i'm interested in this. Not everyone wants to read depressing articles every single day about how religious groups are condemning the gay community, or how organizations are working towards putting a stop to marriage equality. If you see an article that you're not interested in, here is a simple way to take care of it, don't read it. I'm not being defensive, i'm just stating a fact. There's something for everyone to read on the Advocate, and this happens to be something that I wanted to read.

  • Name: Davya
    Date posted: 3/8/2010 6:35:57 PM
    Hometown: wynnewood, PA

    Comment:

    Every time, there's some pissing contest between commentators on this site. Stop being so defensive people. Sheesh. Also, THIS NEWS IS WORTHLESS.

  • Name: Black. B
    Date posted: 3/8/2010 5:40:43 PM
    Hometown: Buffalo, NY

    Comment:

    Steam needs to do the same thing now. My Steam ID was "The Gay Agenda" until I went to a server and they gave me some nickname regarding the fact that I was a homophobic jerk. I just like to let people know that they're getting gracefully owned by the velveteen touch of a dandy fop.

  • Name: Mikey
    Date posted: 3/8/2010 2:59:46 PM
    Hometown: Florida

    Comment:

    Hey Ken, I assume that "get a live" was directed towards me. If so, learn how to spell properly next time. It's spelled "life" not "live". Go back to school if spelling correctly is that difficult. Oh and by the way, I do have a life. Probably a better one then you. :)

  • Name: ken
    Date posted: 3/8/2010 2:04:04 PM
    Hometown: aliso viejo

    Comment:

    get a live

  • Name: Mikey
    Date posted: 3/8/2010 1:00:54 PM
    Hometown: Florida

    Comment:

    Cool. Maybe i'll change my gamertag, now that they are more friendly about it.



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