To quote Chris Matthews, “Oh, God.” It seems a woman was recently banned from Xbox Live because her sexual orientation—she’s a lesbian—has been deemed “offensive” by Microsoft. Let’s see how long it takes for Microsoft to “reconsider” this ban.
It’s like this: a woman, Teresa, had in her Xbox Live profile that she was a lesbian. Of course, the Xbox Live community, being the immature jerks that they are (I stopped using a headset while playing on XBL years ago), seized upon this, and immediately began harassing her in-game. At one point, she received a message from a fellow gamer containing a slur. That’s a hell of a way to treat another human being.
It gets worse. When Teresa went to Microsoft to complain, she was told that other players found her orientation “offensive,” so she was banned. Banned! What a foolish policy on Microsoft’s part. (Never mind the offensiveness and anti-socialness of half the games on Xbox Live: using “bodies as shields,” blowing cars up in the middle of a fictional New York City, etc.)
Let this news hit more “mainstream” news outlets, or Drudge or something, then we’ll see how long it takes before Teresa is reinstated.
Update: It should be mentioned that Microsoft has clarified their position on this issue. The actual offense was that her sexual orientation was part of her name, and they have a blanket ban on that. This wasn’t part of the original reporting. So, as I saw mentioned elsewhere, all the Gaylords and such are going to be out of luck too.
You know, all over the internet are people treating other people like dirt. The reason is that most of them are either kids who have yet to mentally mature enough to behave in a civil way, or they are adults who are hiding behind the cover of the net so they can be a badass without actually having to face anyone.
I for one would really like to see a change in the attitude of people in forums, x-box live, etc etc.
The woman proclaims her sexual orientation, so what? Statistically 1 of every 5 men is either gay or bi and it’s even higher for women, peopl are simply not aware of it unless someone tells them they are gay. I would bet a paycheck or two that some of those doing the bashing on this woman are not so straight themselves.
It’s pretty rediculous now and days……the kind of stuff that kids post on forums or say online are the kinds of filth that you would find written on bathroom stalls….racial slurs etc….the reason is that these kids think that they can do and say whatever they like and it’s “cool”. It is AMAZING how many young kids that act like hardcore racists on youtube and the funny part is that 99% of them wouldn’t say ONE word of what they spit on the internet. It would be amazing if for every ingorant kid that hides behind their computer screen there was a man that would kick down their door and punch them in the head. I don’t say anything online that I wouldn’t say in real life.
I’d like to know where you get the “1 of every 5 men is either gay or bi” statistic…
Would this be the same Microsoft that allows a dude with a penis between his legs to use the womens restrooms on the MS campus because he has breast implants and calls himself by a womans name?
There is nothing more offensive to me than a trans sexual that refuses to give up his bat because he has a wife at home that still lets him pretend he is a man while he goes to work and pisses in the womens toilets.
That’s ok with Microsoft, but a straight up lesbian is banned. I, for one, love lesbians and MS can suck it.
i find no reason to ban Teresa, until unless the true facts are known. Is that the lesbianism seems offensive?. Dont they know the celebrity LL(you might know who she is) is a lesbian. Its just like criticizing the lesbians. Am i going out of topic Afterall the let see how the microsoft reacts to this issue.
Here is a link to the article by the way:
http://valleywag.gawker.com/tech/transitions/microsofts-sex-change-309008.php
This absolute freak Michael is permitted to place every female on the campus in the uncomfortable position of knowing that a DUDE could walk in the door at any second when they are sitting on the can pinching a loaf.
But lesbians can’t play games online. Brilliant!
After reading your first comment, I wasn’t going to say anything. But this pushes me over the line.
You are exhibiting the very same quality as the immature people on XBL that had Teresa banned. Your labeling of Meghan (yes, she’s transgendered, and therefore should be referred to by *her* new name) as a “freak” only tells me that you are just another bigot.
I am frankly amazed that you “love lesbians”, but have such trouble accepting that someone was “born into the wrong body”, as I’ve heard it described.
Had you not considered simply the logistical issues with “giving up [one's] bat”? That it is an entirely different, much more invasive procedure than breast implants? Even if cost is not an issue, it certainly puts her out of action for a significant amount of time. Maybe one day she will be able to take the time to have that procedure done, and I hope she can. But in the meantime, I believe that she should be able to use the woman’s restroom because she truly believes she is a woman.
Isaac- I would just guess by their comments that dualsub is a troll in training. The comments bring very little value to the discussion and purposely agitate others. Pointless to feed them since there is a good chance they aren’t listening and/or don’t care.
I agree the comments made are exactly the same as those made on XBL to Teresa- juvenile, hurtful and ignorant.
Regardless of what Michael believes, he is a man. According to his wife he has the equipment to prove it AND he still uses it in the way the good Lord intended for it to be used. He isn’t confused at all.
That makes him Michael. The male.
Was the ban really “because her sexual orientation” or because she decided to promote it?
Do they have box labeled “sexual orientation” where everyone proudly says, or was this information that the individual decided to promote in this case?
What are Microsoft’s policies about other profile information that causes a person to be scorned?
If the case is really one of “don’t put crap in your profile that causes yourself to be a target (with no judgment on the validity of the scorn)” as opposed to “you are bad/wrong/evil and we don’t want your kind on here” … how should Microsoft go around handling people who either intentionally or unintentionally basically virtually put up billboards next to their sign that says “If you want, here is a way you can hurt me, please do!!!”
I don’t know what is going on, just trying to understand *why* a decision maker came to the decision they/he/she did & the situation.
The real question is is she hot?
Is this story even true?
Aside from the lesbian issue- why would Microsoft ban someone who is being harassed? Personally, regardless of why- if someone jumps on XBL and starts being the worst of the worst and sends messages ‘they’ should be the ones banned.
Who cares if you choose to announce that you are gay or Christian or anything else- if you get harassed as a result you shouldn’t be banned. C’mon, Microsoft step up and kick the punks to the curb.
Holy crap son, can we say shit storm?
This is a very touchy subject, I could go on and on about how I feel. But I’ll just say this, plain and simple. This is completely wrong and I agree with all previous statements that once this hits the mainstream MS is in for a load of shit.
I’d also like to touch upon what everyone said about all these immature kids making ballsy statements, that may be true for the most part. But as a completely socialable gamer, that gets laid occasionly, and actually has a slight tan, I have met some of these gamers. The type that go into forums, speak on mics while they game , and talk in chatrooms. That make rediculous comments, harrass people, act like complete fools.
The majority of them are all grown ass men! They hide behind their cowardness in life. Without the protective sheild of the internet and several 100 miles, that would never think of harrassing anyone.
Me? I’m just an asshole online and offline.
Plus, I always apologize for this when it’s the god damn truth, I apologize for all the grammar and spellings errors, I’m drunk as almighty fuck and I can’t believe I’m even completely this statement or thought into an semi-organized piece of writing.
I find people with certain political persuasions offensive. I find people who “like getting drunk and doing stupid stuff” offensive. Will xbox ban those people too? I think not. Providing the statement on her profile didn’t cause her to preach to others, or affect the way she played the games online, there shouldn’t be a problem. I think those who were offensive to her should be banned because of their harassment on the poor woman.
And they wonder why people aren’t comfortable with voicing their opinions. Maybe they should just sack everyone in the company who put anything other than heterosexual on their application form, under the discrimination section.
There are rules in place to avoid such instances – She shouldn’t have to hide the fact she is a homosexual, but neither does anyone else HAVE to know – i’m on Xbox live and I don’t need to TELL everyone i’m straight. In a gaming community it makes no difference whether you’re straight or gay – it has no bearing on whether you can play games – do we have to have a Gay only section on Xbox live now? Are Gay individuals incapable of playing games without mentioning their sexual orientation? IT IS A GAMING COMMUNITY!!!!! about GAMES – not sexual orientation and if I believe my facts to be correct the idea of NOONE mentioning their sexuality or religious and political views is so that there is an issue free community of Gamers.
There are millions of biggoted individuals out there who hate indiscriminately, hence you keep your personal life to yourself – Yes you SHOULD be able to live your life how you wish but if you make yourself a target expect the hateful out there to come after you – grow up, avoid the issue and follow the rules!
Bravo Microsoft
Well, as is often the case I’m sure the story will change a bit, BUT this is the sort of fun you get to have when your call center and half your 1st tier management team is off in India somewhere.
Bad MS no donut
Microsoft don’t allow you to put any details about sexual orientation in your profile, full stop. It’s not anything to do with being homosexual or heterosexual. Your account will be suspended until you change it if you do. I believe this applies to race and religion too, actually.
While online voice chat is unmoderated on Xbox Live, profile information is moderated.
This story is being misreported. The headline should be “Microsoft bans user for including statements about their sexual orientation in their profile” and not because she is a lesbian.
http://consumerist.com/5161145/microsofts-policy-regarding-identifying-sexual-orientation-on-xbox-live
What an immature judgement! I am sooooo glad I am a MAC man and do not support microsoft in any way ;)
Microsoft is pure fail, no question. They patent the PgUp/Dn keys, send a cease and desist to autopatcher, and then ban gay people from Xbox Live.
What a bunch of turds.
gays do not have rights and they shouldnt have rights i hate gays as do 79% of the normal population i say this angrily make it illegal to live in the u s a if your a freak of nature i cant stand gays and they should al move to hell were they belong god didnt create freaks likee you he made normal people that can actualy keep his love going gays cant do that if i were him ide strike them down right now but i cant even compare myself to my savior and 79% cant either go to hell fags………….
oh and microsoft is awesome and you should all be judged and humiliated for your hatred twards mentaly challenged people i cant seem to figure out how bill made billions trillions maybe and yoou judge him he should take her to court ya faggots
If you do not have a choice of whether too be gay or not (which you don’t, its in your hormones) then its not offensive. That’s like banning someone because they are black and that offends people. I’m sick of this issue being brought up EVERYWHERE! If you can’t research it enough to have even the most basic of knowledge of it you should shut your fucking mouth and let intelligent people handle it until you find out about the subject. Have you seen on the news? Igorant people are everywhere putting down people! There is always some “other” that people put down. Christians, Jews, Blacks, Homosexuals, and a host of other types of people have been treated wrongly. And what scares me the most is, who’s next?
You should be banned for being black… actually. Because if you are black then you are gay, double no no.