Gamer suspended from Xbox Live after saying she's gay
No sex please - we're Xbox gamers
A gamer has claimed that Microsoft suspended her from Xbox Live because she identified herself as a lesbian to other members of the online gaming network.
The woman – identified only as Teresa, by a Consumerist online report – claimed she was harassed by other gamers who were peeved that she'd dared to state her sexuality in her online profile.
Teresa also alleged that Microsoft "suspended" her Xbox Live account because other gamers supposedly found her sexual orientation “offensive”.
Microsoft’s yet to comment specifically on the case, but Stephen Toulouse, an Xbox Live employee, stated on his blog that Gamertags and profiles may not be used for expression of sexual orientation, a rule stated in the Xbox Live Ts&Cs.
Maybe not, but the company doesn't seem to have done anything about the harassment Teresa claims she suffered as a result of her profile.
"Microsoft does nothing to stop this or prevent it," she said, and accused the software giant of effectively siding "with the homophobes".
Toulouse stressed that "harassment of gamers of any type be it homophobia or racism or other, is expressly forbidden and my team will take action against it, up to and including a permanent ban".
He called on Teresa to come forward so that the situation can be sorted out. ®
COMMENTS
there's a reason for 'coming out'...
... and it's been shown by some of the ignorant comments on here.
The 'default' sexuality for humans is mostly heterosexual. It an individual does not state their sexuality explicitly, then you are 'lying' by default.
Harvey Milk was right to make sure that all his supporters were 'out' to their family and friends - this makes sure that homosexual people are not an 'invisible' minority.
If the microsoft gaming environment does not allow declarations of 'sexuality', that's fine - but all gamer tags and profiles should be gender and sexuality neutral - for consistencies sake.
Incidentally, 'anonymous cowards' & vetis & mark above, by declaring myself as a gay man here, I refuse to be treated as an invisible 'oppressed' minority. The comments about a 'pickup' joint further show ingorance and stupidity about gay people.
Re: Immaturity
Games consoles are frequently played by 'kids' right ... so immaturity is pretty much to be expected isn't it? And, as others have stated, it seems pretty sensible of MS to have explicitly banned the statement of sexuality for this very reason.
Not to say that immaturity amongst adults is not endemic in any anonymous forum ... except El Reg of course (ha ha).
Offensive?
"...because other gamers supposedly found her sexual orientation 'offensive'."
They were probably just pissed off because she didn't post videos.
Paris, because she'll always post quality videos on request.
Microsoft got it right.
The terms of usage on XBox Live are said to state that a user's account will be banned if they indicate their sexual orientation therein. Microsoft aren't banning this woman's account because she's a lesbian, they're banning the account for a breach of the terms of usage. To repeat a sentiment echoed by others before me on this thread, a gaming community isn't the forum to shout out about one's sexual proclivities, however mainstream.
This account was banned for breaking the rules. I'm confident there are other accounts where the gamer states that they are hetero/homo/bi-sexual and, if Microsoft find out about them, then they should be banned too. Unless Microsoft allow people who state that they're heterosexual to stay 'in play' whilst banning others who state that they are homosexuals, then the corporation cannot reasonable be accused of discrimination. Blame people who don't read the rules which are put in place to make life easier for everyone involved and avoid controversy just like this.
I'd also like to second the opinion of Waldo regarding the immaturity of users who thought it would be a good way to spend time tailing and teasing a fellow gamer. Although it wouldn't have happened had the usage terms been abided by, that's absolutely no excuse for a collection of people in an escapist world to start targeting and cyber-lynching others.
agree with AC
It's a gaming network, your orientation should have no place in it.
Unless she was using it to try and pick up others as that is the ONLY reason to include it. I think this is one of the reasons why, they dont want Xbox live to turn into a pickup joint.
Agree with AC in that why do people need to shout about certain things when it clearly has no place in the arena they are venting it in.
