Microsoft admits to, defends banning Lesbian Xbox Live user

Ben Kuchera writes: "Xbox Live isn't known for the social graces of its users, and one gamer was harassed for outing herself as a lesbian... with Microsoft then banning her account. The company tells Ars that gay or straight, discussion of your sexual orientation in your profile is verboten, but "don't ask, don't tell" doesn't work too well."

[Foxgod]

plain and simple, dont mix live with sexuality, and youl be fine.

This is the same situation as a company getting seud for racism for firing an ethnic minority.
And later on it turns out that the ethnic minority sucked at his job, and was fired legit grounds.

[Timesplitter14]

It has absolutely nothing to do with this. Revealing your sexual orientation isn't a lack of performance.

It's just that Microsoft is a bunch af friggin retards that think sexuality is "ewwww!"

[Foxgod]

ofcourse, a company thinks sexuality is eewwww.
a company is not a living breathing entity.
A company is a stack of policy's that enforces its rules trough roles.
Live does not have a minimum age specification, so children can get on it as well, which means sexuality has no place on live.

MS protects this girl from getting herassed, and makes sure that no children get exposed to sexuality, this way Live remains a clean platform that can also be enjoyed by minority's.

[II Necroplasm II]

"Microsoft is a bunch af friggin retards"

I think their wallets and bank accounts say otherwise bud.

Edit*

Microsoft and 50 cent is two different worlds. MS don't make rap music for kids and wannabe gansters they make software.

'To throw that in your point is simple and cheap

But with the story, first of all her homosexuality should have not been brought out into a gaming community online cause it will not go well with the rest... Then MS will have to deal with the harassment complaints. and who knows she could have been preaching her homosexuality to others.

You know they do have community management policys they have to work with..

[Timesplitter14]

The problem here is that you seem to think that homosexuality is ''filthy'' and immoral. Stop listening to the pope for a second and start listening to reason. There's nothing wrong with children acknoledging the fact that some people are homosexual.

And do you REALLY believe that MS saw this and said "Guys... this poor girl will be harrassed if we do nothing. Let's ban her."

@ II Necroplasm II

Yeah well I guess 50 cent is a genius too

[Foxgod]

i dont give a flying crap what someone sexual preference is, and neither does a company.
Fact is sexuality doesnt belong on Live, doesnt matter wether your straight or homo or asexual, it doesnt belong on live, its a video game service, not a meet and greet for people wanting to get sexual.

Oh, and i dont give rats about the pope either, i believe in a creator and an afterlife, but religion is crap in my opinion.

[LightofDarkness]

I've been thinking about this. At first I took the stance that everyone seemed to take, the "Bah, who cares, shoulda read teh polisees..." position. But then, I realised something. Why should someone being gay offend anyone?

Now, the usually first resort tactic is the "Think of teh childrunz!" otherwise known as the "Soccer mom" approach. Thing is, by agreeing to those terms of use you are *certifying* that you are 18 years old (or the age of majority, dependant on country or region), otherwise known as a discerning adult. Those little kids shouldn't be there in the first place.

As well as this, perhaps it is this aversion to exposing children to homosexuality that is the problem. We have no problem showing them heterosexual emotion and love, and they find it normal. I believe it's when you shield them from it until they're older that it becomes an issue. At that point, it's considered abnormal behaviour by someone, as they've been very accustomed to the idea that romantic love only truly exists between men and women. Might just explain why this girl was harassed so vehemently.

The second defence that is usually is usually brought up is the big brother tactic, the "saving them from themselves" idea. What a load of crap. They should have to hide or change aspects of their personality to appease the disagreeing and harassing masses? Remember the 18 years old certification, that means that they are discerning adults, willing to accept the responsibility of deliberately outing themselves via their profile. This is often a significant aspect of their lives, it is a character defining milestone. They had the guts to tell everyone how they really think, which is something that should be celebrated, not silenced and banned.

[Foxgod]

calling something a soccer mom, or a big brother tactic really isnt going to change the fact that MS did this on valid grounds.

[Ryudo]

I agree with Microsoft There's nothing wrong with being gay or lesbian. But I never understand the reason someone would feel the need to shout if from the rooftops with out being an out and out prick. At the end of the day being gay and going to a gay bar only offends idiots. But think about the xbox live community It has alot of children. Being gay going to a play ground wearing a pink shirt with your nipples showing making out with men on the park bench would offend people. And people would have the right to be completely offended.

At the end of the day if your gay then cool you have a sexual choice and a brave one at that. But does that mean you have to tell 10 year old children about that sexual choice instead of just letting them make there own minds up in life no. There is no need what so ever to have "I am lesbian" in your profile its a gamer tag for gamers. Besides your only inviting your self to get stalked by extremely sad 16 to 22 year old gamers.

There's a time and a place for everything being gay in a gay bar or giving your partner a quick kiss down the street, Doing what the hell you want in private places is fine. Making out with your partner in the middle of a playground is pushing it in peoples faces that don't want there kids around it the same apples to xbox live. Microsoft are stuck between a rock and a hard place keeping Xbox live child friendly and having to cross messy area's of human rights.

If I had that choice I would of asked it been removed and explained my reasons behind such actions. If they for some reason felt to get petty over it and demand it remains for some foolish reason I would of taken the same action and banned them.

[Arsenic13]

Ok so hetero ppl dont spread their sexuality by saying, "shes hot, i did your mom" Thats saying they like the opposite sex, so thats sexuality. Plus the thousands of gamertags related to heterosexual sexual innuendos. Its a double standard. And its BS

[SL1M DADDY]

Are gay and want to run out in the middle of the road and scream your sexuality for all the world to hear but keep it at that and leave it off Live. I am on Live to game, not hear about your sexuality. It has nothing to do with your sexuality being "eeww", it's about respecting those of us that don't want/need/care to hear about it.

[skimming]

Just don't bring up sexuality at all so that as a parent, I don't feel like I have to filter for content. It's one thing to just mute an idiot spouting nonsense on a Live mike, it's definitely another to be told continually that a lesbian just killed you, over and over again.

Believe me as a parent, if I have to filter for stuff like this, Live gets cancelled the next day.

[Parappa The Rappa]

HE got insanely rich thu some investment deals. He made a sh*t ton of cash off Coca-Cola thru the Vitamin Water deal(about 400mil--100mil after the IRC took their share).

Not every wrapper out there ends up as broke as MC Hammer, lol.

If youre gay, good for you, but nobody needs to hear about it.
I dont get up in the morning and say "Oh my god....im soooooo straight, its crazy! I do chicks all day!" to every person I meet.

[Cryos]

There is only 1 way to determine if this is not right, ask these questions,

"if someone was declaring they were straight, would they be banned?"
"if someone was declaring they were celibate, would they be banned?"
"if someone declared they were Christian, would they be banned?"

if the answer is "no" or "probably not" to any one of those, then banning her was wrong.

[ExXxilE]

Homosexuality is "filthy" and immoral, not to mix religion and our political debate here, the bible states that a man should love a woman. Not a woman and a woman, nor a man and a man. The facts are that this practice is out there and I don't believe for a second that it is right for a company to ban a person for expressing their beliefs. They need to accept the fact that some people who play their games are going to be of the homosexuality variety.

What Microsoft did was way out of line and I think that there should be some sort of reprimanding happen to them. They need to learn a lesson and not just say "oops, we did a bad thing, here is an 'apology' we are 'sorry'".

[Elven6]

Microsoft is one of the few companies to hold a 100% fair work employeer rating with the LGBT which is why I find this matter odd. I think what may have happened was a bot is simply sent to look through this stuff, once something is reported it scans for unacceptable words and takes appropriate action?

I personally don't have anything against people of a different orientation, although if someone just publicly goes out and announces this kind of stuff to get attention I might have a problem with them, but not the community as a whole.

[incogneato]

Yup. I am very proud of Microsoft for this one. Standing up to the cry baby liberals, wow. There are very few companies who will do that. They all want to be politically correct.

Microsoft just earned some of my respect.

[darthv72]

I would expect sony to be as strict with their service as ms. I think sexual preference falls in line with religious belief and should be a personal thing.

This same thing will happen in home you can bet on that.

[XxZxX]

want more freedom? PSN welcome you.

[uie4rhig]

no matter 'how much they want to defend this girl' microsoft is going against the law.. i cant remember specifics, but i think it is the sex discrimination act 1986.. they can legally be sued and it is very hard for them to come out on this..
@foxgod
you seriously don't have to defend microsoft.. microsoft is liable for discriminating against an individual over their sexual preference and they shouldnt discriminate.. i doubt you'd like it if you were gay and you were banned..

meh either.. MS is wrong here, and they shud put this right rather than defending such an action!!

[Elven6]

^^^^You bring up a interesting point, although Microsoft will have records that may shed more light on just what she was banned for (aka did she send a message to her friends saying "Ban me so I can do XXXXX", times are tough and people are doing some pretty insane stuff to enter into law suits and such. IF that is the case.

Although wouldn't that law only apply to the workplace? An area where Microsoft is already on good terms with various HR groups including the LGBT?

[TheDude2dot0]

I may be wrong, but I think they banned her because they might be misconstrued as a dating site or whatever. Not something you want for Xbox Live.

[ps3d0]

I love how these so called "journalist" make up head line to blow this all out of proportionjust just to get people to look at there sites. MS didnt banned anyone they suspended her there is a HUGE difference. With a suspension all she has to do is change what her profile says and she can get back online. If she was banned she never be able to get back online. Also she broke the toa so MS was right to suspend her. The toa says you can not talk about your sexuality on your profile no matter what it is.

[Timesplitter14]

I'm not sure if I understand what you said.

Basically, we agree but your first sentence says homosexuality is immoral.

[ambientFLIER]

"Plus the thousands of gamertags related to heterosexual sexual innuendos. Its a double standard."

Microsoft bans people when they have enough complaints about them. Gay people don't complain about straight people, so Microsoft doesn't ban them. It's that simple. Microsoft doesn't seek people out to ban. They are forced to do what the community demands.

[FrankenLife]

I will side with freedom of speech at all times. Censoring this kind of speech is not the right thing to do despite MS having the right to do it.

On the PSN you can say whatever you want.

[ps3d0]

FrankenLife your one of the biggest idiots in the world if you actually believe that fanboy BS your spitting out. PSN has the same clause in their toa plus when home 1st came out the words lesbian and gay were censor to *** and ******* sony only removed them after they got enouhg complains about it

[ambientFLIER]

"On the PSN you can say whatever you want. "

The difference is you're not paying for psn. Sony doesn't care. Paying customers on live don't want to be subjected to some kind of gay rights agenda, and Microsoft has to listen.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

Read this:

http://majornelson.com/arch...

This applies to both Sony and MS. MS is known to be fair with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.

In addition, the person supposedly banned was actually supsended. Banned means the person completely lost the use of account, but in suspension you can rectify it and use the account again.

I'm frankly suprised at the ignorant comments getting so many agrees. I'm wondering if it is fanboyism or just plain ignorance?

[slayorofgods]

Is this really still a big deal in this day and age. Banned and harassed for using the L word. If you haven't heard what a lesbian is by now, you are way too closed off from the world and it is about time that you learned anyway. Banned for saying you are a lesbian is the stupidest thing I've ever heard and it should not be defended by ant means!

[uie4rhig]

yes in deed that would be a very different story, however, from what i have gotten so far, is that such thing has not happened between people beside other people harrasing this girl..

@IdleLeeSiuLung
that still doesn't change the fact that MS is discriminating at a community.. may this be in the ToS or not, its still discrimination..

i guess MS knows what they are doing and that is why they're defending their decision..

[Jerk120]

I think a ''don't ask, don't tell'' policy is absolutely fine.

[BLUR111]

Just don't ask a envy droid it's useless

[Evilavatar]

This title is deceiving...
Microsoft dont defends Lesbian banning.
They just dont want sexual names.
A person can be lesbian and write her normal or nick name and Microsoft wont ban her just because she is lesbian.

[boodybandit]

I have been asked by several people online if it is a gay reference. Several people have made fun (and trust me it rolls off me like water on oil) of my name and even kicked me off of some servers for having this gamertag (homophobs most likely). Why hasn't MS banned me?

I am not taking a stand one way or the other but I honestly don't understand MS's policy on this. Especially when kids runs rampant online screaming all types of sexual and racist profanity. Seriously who are they trying to protect? It's the kids on XBL that are usually the biggest Aholes spewing filth and talking trash.

This just seems really inconsistent on the part of Microsoft. I have seen tons of people on XBL with gamertags and personal information that are extremely offensive and insensitive. (Hitler, Bin Laden, racial, sexual, etc...)

If they are going to go down this road and take this stand they need to be more efficient and consistent at it.

[Handsome_Devil]

that is exactly what I had in my mind, its either all or non :)

[DARK WITNESS]

@boodybandit

well i am not sure on this, but if enough people report you that name will get banned.

i don't know if people had reported this girl or what. i had a friend who's tag was pumpumstaber he got banned because of it.

anyway, i hear what you are saying and if they are just enforcing it like that then ya it is very wrong. if they only get informed by the feedback left by gamers then they would only know of the names that people highlight.

[IVYvsTAKI]

...it sucks that this happened anyway, because so what if she is a lesbian? Do you go on XBOX LIVE to play games or do you do it to harass the sh!t outta people? It doesn't make any sense...

She made her sexual orientation known to that community and I guess she shouldn't have(it was in the rules after all), but it just sucks that somebody had a problem with her and now she can't use her account anymore.

You wanna go online and play videogames with the world, you should be ready to encounter some people that live their life a little differently than you do. And when you do, just play the damn game.

That's what it's all about.

[hi-tower]

The way I see this it comes down to how much Live (or PSN, or Wii Online) wants to be a gaming portal and how much it wants to be a social networking platform.

I think we can all agree the sexuality has no impact or affect on your ability to play games, therefore as a gaming portal sexuality is irrelevant.

However the more Live (and HOME etc..) want to become social networking and interaction platforms, the more they will have to deal with these kind of issues. On a social level (see MySpace or Facebook) sexuality can be more relevant to interaction and personal identity.

I understand Microsoft's position, but as a service Live (and HOME) needs to define itself and it's purpose and not bury it's head in the sand over these issues.

[Jdoki]

Excellent point. +bub

As these companies move further towards social networking they are going to have to deal with these issues. However I don't think allowing sexual orientation to be used in Gamertags/PSN names is every going to be useful. It's just not necessary.

[SCThor]

That's true, both Live and PSN need to make clear what kind of service they want to be, just a hub for game multiplayer or a complete social network with all its pros and cons, like facebook,my space,hi5, etc..

[timmyrulz]

Damn they banned her???!!!

I was looking forward to playing UNO with my vision camera, her and a few of her Lady friends! ;)

[Diselage]

How is Microsoft following policy news again? They may not made the rule specifically for this type of behavior but it easily falls under what they have in their TOS. They ban all sexually related names, they just banned a bunch of tags for saying heterosexual and the like as well. Let me guess next article that comes out will say that Microsoft hates straights as well?

[proliferazor]

I think it proves my point that if they can't microshaft you they don't want you around =)

[Baka-akaB]

It sucks , but indeed sex orientation shouldnt be a part of Live at all , hetero or gay .

Now problem is you dont see hetero people getting reported or banned for constant sex talk or harassement .

BOTH should be banned .

[Jrome]

Lol as people said above me, they are banning sexuality related names. I'm black but I hate when minorities try to have rights over everyone else just because they are minorities. Sometimes you have to fight for your rights but other times your rights are the same as others...you can't turn everything into "It's cause I'm (insert minority here".

[Jdoki]

Should MS have banned her is one debate, but what intruiges me is why someone has to advertise the fact they are gay on a service that (so far) doesn't have anything to do with sexual orientation.

I don't stick 'Straight gamer' on my gamertag, so why does this person feel the need to broadcast? If a person wants to get in to a lesbian or gay clan/faction/guild or whatever, there are plenty of better ways to do that (try Google!!) than sticking it on their Live account.

I don't care if people in a guild/clan I belong to are gay or straight, or the people in the guild/clan I am fighting are gay or straight - I'm there to play games.

A persons sexual orientation is a personal thing - it's not a lifestyle choice (or shouldn't be) it's just the way we're wired up. It should have little to no barring on the melting pot that is society and make no difference at all to online gaming.

I don't think MS should have banned her, but perhaps a simple request to change her details would have sufficed.

[The_Truth]

The Truth believes that your sexual orientation shouldn't have to be hidden in the closet.

[Baka-akaB]

It's not about hiding anything . Imagine it like that ... my school teacher would come up to present itself on its first day and out of the blue would say "hey kids! i'm gay btw!" .

Nothing wrong here , except that no one should frickin' care and it's not the time and place for it .

Kinda the same here , it's a place for gaming , for kids and adults alike , and not a place to proclaim your sexuality ...
If you seek pro activiely , black , white , indian , gay , lesbian , black lesbian , indian gay , hetero radio amateur fans ... there are hundred of chat and community for that .

[NeloRisi]

and point out in caps: "I'm as straight as an arrow !! I luuurve girls !!"

And THEN, somebody else should report that person and we'll have a grand case of hemp fandango. Will Microsoft react in the same way they did to this specific case? The suspense, she is killing me. Anybody gonna try this?

[EvilWaterman]

i just dont understand why some gays and lesbians need to shout about it? Theres absolutley no reason to tell people on live that your gay/lebian. Its just like when SOME gay men have to flap about like a woman and talk in a strange voice. We dont want or need to know your gay/lesbian. I know this may sound mean, but like you Gays/Lesbians say, its my choice to be like it and proud of it.

[shaunempire]

That's what you get..

I don't remember any field for sexual preference on Xbox live, so keep your personal life your personal life. No one on xbl cares if you're gay. it's people that go out of their way to make sure everyone knows that get's burned. hopefully microsoft goes to her house, takes her xbox and smashes it.

[W S K]

wasnt there an option so only those people in your friendslist could see your profile??? im not sure but i think i saw something like that ( i never use such options )

so that would have maybe an solution for her problem...

[TheBand1t]

If I had an Xbox and put in my profile that I reproduce via spores, would I be banned?

[Scary69]

It's like the article also states " xbox live shouldn't be for kids" Yet parents still allow it. All I have to say is here is to another lawsuit. If parents don't want their kids knowing about homosexuality then why the hell are they in xbox live in the first place? There are worst things going on in xbox live then someone stating she is a lesbian on her profile.

[Kyur4ThePain]

If my profile had to say "26 year old African-American", could I be banned for racism?
This is just as stupid, I think.

[RealtorMDandDC]

Paid her hard earn money to be ban because she is not socially accepted...

a person made a great point..if she said she said was a christian would she be banned?

If she said she said was a serial killer would she be ban...?

Also I thought you have to be 18 years old to sign the agreement to to be on LIVE?

If she was in banjo kazooie proclaiming she was gay yeah there is some wrong with that...but if she was playing COD 4 or 5 which you should be 18 to play who cares...

It's all about the context of the situation she should of not been ban...that is why I am not renewing my MS membership...and plus I have a PS3...I play for FREE

[LilMissGoddess]

its common sense, you get on live or psn for GAMING...not to see how much attention you can get from guys or girl...we are all there for that purpose...i think if she is exposing herself or talking about it and somebody find that offensive then so be it, she would deserve it. im a girl gamer and i don't get on to see how much attention i can get from guys. i'm there to play, that's what a gamer does. there's rules and regulations for both live and psn.

as far as it goes for the whole 18 to be on live, your parents can sign up for it and let you play they have to monitor it. i know lots of parents that play and also let there kids play with there friends which look out for them when they are online, parents shouldn't have to worry about there kids getting on and having to go in a room with people that wanna be idiots and say obscene things that shouldn't be spoke of. think about it, would YOU want your kid getting in a room and having to hear someone talking about things little kids shouldn't hear? i wouldn't want my kids to have to hear something like that until they are old enough to know what that stuff is!

when signing up for live if you look in the rule and stuff that you agree to it does say in there that your aren't suppose to bring up religion and other personal preferences on live. there for if you are talking about that stuff you deserve all that comes to you, sorry i don't feel sorry for anyone that chooses not to follow there rules. i have been playing on live since the 1st xbox and never had a problem with any of it!! i have also met alot of great people online that i play with with no bs what so ever.

[Timesplitter14]

Ok I'll go on Xlive and say I'm straight. I'll see if I get banned.

Face it. MS is homophobic, just like half of the people here

[LilMissGoddess]

so if than its safe to say the same for PSN then? you are just like all the other IDIOTS who would think it's ok to expose yourself to little kids that have no idea what it means. your pitiful, you belong behind bars. i feel so sorry for anybody that ever lets you around kids, being that they are looking out for the kids get on live and others that don't care what preference you like better, people that get on PSN and LIVE are mainly there for 1 thing, and that's for gaming...guess we know what YOU get on there for!!

[JaPo]

...

Shut the hell up. Why would they even have profiles, locations, chat etc. if it was all about 'gaming'?

You're clearly a total moron thinking that children should be shielded from the realities of life. I can imagine you think it's more appropriate that children play gore-filled, murderous games than to see 'lesbian' harmlessly pop up on the screen. If so, you're wrong!

Hahahaha at people trying to claim MS were 'protecting her'. Yeah, right. If that was the case they'd have offered her a change in GT. It's corporation policing peeps, get used to it.

I see that all the fanboys are the ignorant bigots. What's funny to me is I actually find the exhibiting of one's sexuality perplexing, yet I wouldn't care so much as to want them banned from a gaming service. Sure as hell aren't gonna raise as much of a fuss with my kids.

[IncredibleGames]

I'm not an advocate for homosexuality or anything and If a person was to tell me that they are gay or lesbian i'm not going to harrass them because that is how they are as a person and i have no right to judge them. But I think Microsoft knows good and well that people do get harrassed on Xbox Live. And no matter what ayone says, IT IS HARD TO POLICE SUCH A LARGE ENVIRONMENT. There are so many servers and so many games on Xbox Live that the expenses for moderating on such a large scale with be catastrophic. I play games on xbox live all the time and i get harrassed sometimes becuase i'm of African American descent and people for some reason have an urge to cal me the N-word becuas they have nothing better to say. Its not in my gamertage that i'm black, and its not in my profile that i'm black either but i guess i may tend to sound like what a "typical black guy" would sound sometimes. I don't go out of my way to let people know that i'm black and i don't go around yellign black power or some sort of nonsense like that. It just happens and I have to deal with it. Now concerning this lesbian chick. She should of known that if she was to do something like that that it would cause a lot of problems. I'm not saying it is right or not, but it is reality and it will happen. Xbox Live is an outlet to play your games online, not to promote your sexual orientation becuas it is irrelevent online. Just like me being black is irrelevent online.

And is it just me or are the ones say the most homophobic or racist things on Xbox Live are little kids??

[Kyur4ThePain]

The MS should ban you too, for your own protection.
See how DUMB this is?

[IncredibleGames]

the differnce is i don't go around procaiming my ethnic background like this chick did....no they shouldn't of banned her...they were completely wrong for that, they should of suspended it like they said they would of...but i was talking more about the initial actions she chose to took that led to this...i'm not justifying that MS should of banned her

[PS360PCROCKS]

Ok seriously? How many stories do we need to tell us about people being banned for the SAME stuff!! It's LISTED in the xbox live TOA. I don't get people sometimes, Microsoft doesn't care if your gay, their trying to control their community to make sure that isn't a way for people to be harassed.

[Karum]

I have to ask why anyone would be expressing their sexual orientation in their profile for an online gaming service?

That's what the likes of MySpace and FaceBook and even youtube are for surely?

[Droid Control]

My names bdvjhsdvb and i like to wear womens clothing!

Why?
Totally pointless...

[Rhezin]

of course they would be welcome on PSN, but not on xbox live and gaylo. Xbots just hate lesbians.

[zanthox]

Not surprised this became a big deal, especially with how big homosexuality is in the media these days, but it is hilarious how it became such a big deal when if someone not gay had been banned it wouldn't have matters.
The main problem is many of these 'kids' the censuring is for are the ones starting this... frickin' hormone crazy preteens.

[ForROME]

MS is right on this one, keep your personal life out of conversation and your tag, thats like putting I like to suck Co$% as a sticker on your windshield and saying, its who I am....... Riiiiiiiiiiiight do it at home not for the world to see

[artsaber]

No matter if we agree or disagree on this. According to the LAW, Microsoft is discriminating against this person BY DEFINITION. The is no User Agreement that can superscede the law. The same as if Denny's cannot have a restaurant "User Agreement" on their restaurant saying that they only serve people of certain skin color, race, or sexual preference. Microsoft cannot BAN XBL users if they say I am Lesbian or Gay. Would they ban me if my comment said " I am straight and have a girlfriend?" No they would not, so it is CLEARLY discriminatory.

By law, Microsoft has violated this person's basic rights in using their service REGARDLESS of what they claim their intentions are... it does not matter. So too keep all men who believe they are gay
from being with other men, Microsoft would cut their c*cks off to prevent such action and say it was for their own good?

If the SOLE reason for disabling her account was BECAUSE she simply CLAIMED to be lesbian... then Microsoft is CLEARLY in the wrong and they are begging to be sued. This act by itself is by definition discriminatory and there ain't a lawyer firm in the world who can write a UA to bypass it. It is in the core basic principal of the law and civil rights.

Why don't XBL moderators ban half of those racists that spew hateful stuff daily on XBL? Oh, it would probably include half of N4G's XBL users and half of paying XBL customers. Just my opinion.

[Ldubbz]

Dont try to paint XBL gamers as a bunch of racist or offensive a-holes. The vast majority of XBL users are NOT that way at all. If anything, the moment anyone says anything stupid like that the other users shut them up quickly.

And get off your high-horse with this thing, acting as if MS took away her civil rights. She is not on the street somewhere, but using a paid service run by a private corporation, and its fully within their right to administer it as they see fit. Sony does the same thing in Home, which is meant solely for social interaction, not even letting you type "Jew".

Neither MS nor Sony wants to be caught up in any legal issues they dont need. Bottom line.

[PS360PCROCKS]

supercede the law? seriously? It's their TOA! They make the rules of what is allowed and what is not. I agree you may not get banned if your profile said "I have a girlfriend and am straight" but the difference is that's completely normal and no one would think twice about it. You may find it "discriminatory" but it's clearly not. When people starting shouting from rooftops that they're gay, it clearly makes a reaction. Look how much stuff gets brought up in the media over gay marriage etc. Microsoft is not saying "don't be gay" their saying "don't broadcast it by putting it in your name or profile". I really feel you're missing the entire point. As for your RIDICULOUS Denny's example, ya you would get kicked out of Denny's if you were standing up and yelling in the restaurant "I'M A LESBIAN!! I LOVE VAGINA, BLAH BLAH BLAH"

[Obama]

I doubt she will get banned if she said she's straight and have a boyfriend.

[Condemnedman]

Live is for a gaming community for all ages .Why do you need to put what sexuality you prefer ?? I don't care if your gay/lesbian/straight I don't need to know it and you don't need to tell the whole of xbox live . There will be loads of gay rights people waving arms in the air demanding blood off Microsoft but what about the rights of straight people who don't want their children reading stuff like this until they are old enough to make their own minds up? Like I said I don't have a problem with this lady or any other lesbian/gay person , if you want to shout your sexuality from the rooftop do it on a adult networking site .

[prejur]

Talking about sexual preference should be considered offensive to anybody. Gay and proud vs straight and proud...same thing.

Keep your sex off of my games.

[JHUX]

Thats offensive? Man everytime I have been on live Im called a n*gger or (insert racial term here)that all the 12 year old kids have just picked up. Someone saying they are a lesbian is the least of there problems on live, especially when it comes to "offensive".

[HarukoHex]

Then report them, I'm sure there was enough people who reported this person.

[TheOutsider]

I thought x-box live was just for Fa*ets and Di*es? It is x-box the place for gay gamers!!

[HarukoHex]

I'm Actually glad that this person was banned. It is offensive to some people. and M$ says that if you have offensive content in your Bio you will be banned. real simnple.

[killnotic]

Sexuality doesn't belong on Live? Huh. That's weird, considering all the times I've heard people get called all manner of sexually offensive things, including gay on Live. But that's okay, because those people said it through a mic, not write it on their profiles. God forbid little kids read about a girl being a lesbian because it will warp their fragile little minds (even though kids online seemed to be the most foul-mouth gamers).

Hypocrisy. Yum, it's what's for dinner!

Funny little anecdote that happened in a COD4 lobby (on the PS3): This one guy was arguing with some little kid who said he was eleven, the guy finally had enough of the kid's bragging and said, "I'm going to f@ck you so hard they're going to make a Dateline special about it."

Raping kids is not funny, but I almost laughed myself unconscious.

[HarukoHex]

the account has to be reported before anything is done, they didn't just go, HMMM lets ban her. if people swear or offend you on XBL report them. i know ive helped ban about 15 accounts on XBL so far. take it into your own hands don't just go well, oh well, nothings going to happen.

[Matpan]

This is pretty simlpe... is there anything in the end user license agreement when you sign up to Live? I mean, maybe it has nothing to do with the fact that she is homosexual... but rather with the "sexual" part of it...
I guess we should look into the matter and see if any guy who expressed in their profile that they like to be with women was banned too.

If that is the case, then it´s not a case of sexual-orientation racism... just a case of company policies, were the company wants sex completely out of the service, which, you may like or not, but is the service they provide, and the rules they make.

[_Q_]

Sexual orientation has no place. And it obviously leads to harassment from the ignorant. I understand ppl are proud to be who they but online they need To just game. If you end up discussing it because some guy is trying to hit on a girl then hey. Take it from there. If tis in the terms of use and the user obviously agreed to them. Then theres nothing else to say on they matter. People need to stop making a stir for things like this and report real abuse. Because Live has a serious racial problem.

[FFXI101]

These people would use their kids as excuse to file complain against this female gamer, they weren't "PROTECTING" they were harassing!! they probably use offensive language, which makes worst. Besides most kids I met online(live) are nastier than the adults. I bet half those people are kids themselves.

[killnotic]

Seriously, would she have been "outed" if her profile had stated she was heterosexual? I bet anything she wouldn't have been. No one has a problem with a straight girl stating her sexuality. Hell, she'd probably get a hundred requests for a date... or a bl*w job. I've seen that happen before.

That's what makes Live's policy so arbitrary and unfair, a lot of gamers are mostly bigoted to begin with.

[FunAndGun]

Sexual Preference shouldn't be allowed on a PROFILE, Live is just for gaming....

I also don't need to know how old you are, Live is just for gaming.

I also don't need to know where you're from, Live is just for gaming.

I also don't need to know any of your likes or dislikes, Live is just for gaming.

I also don't neeed to know.....you know, isn't that the point of a PROFILE, to find out information about a user? To possibly find like minded individuals that you can relate with and make friends?

Lets all just be cardboard usernames and NOTHING else, afterall Live is just for gaming and you don't need an information profile for playing online games.

Its not like she PM'ed everyone she met online and stated her sexuality, it was in her profile. YOU had to look at it.

Gay people do exist in this world, and they will until this rock stops spinnin. Why is it such a big deal to let kids know that gay people exist in this world? Being gay is NOT contagious, are people that retarded? Some of you people talk like you're ripped straight from the Reefer Madness video.

[devilhunterx]

muff divers FTL

[anubis12]

ps3 fanboys like this article....

fact is....if the chick was getting harassed she should of just took it off herself that dumb lesbo.....

and for all we know this "lesbo" is gothic and 400 lbs with missing teeth....ps3 fanboy just assume that she is hot.....and decide to talk sh!t about mircosoft because they are bored.....(SHOULDN'T YOU BE PLAYING KILLZONE 2.....i am)

[Trekster_Gamer]

XBL policy is clear, this is just another way that homo's are trying to push there UN-NATURAL agenda. You can defend this lesbo all you want, but she is the one who decided to break the rules.

Good frackin riddins!

[TruthbeTold]

http://n4g.com/NewsCom-2853...

[Ldubbz]

Like its work; no religion, no politics, no sex. Its that simple really.
Just like MS said, if you want to vocally identify yourself to another gamer that is entirely your business.

But putting something in your profile/gamertag is unacceptable. MS and Sony have a lot of responsibility when it comes to online policing, and stuff like this makes it no easier.

Especially because its not always clear to everyone what youre saying; are you gay, or are you making fun of gays? MS doesnt always know for sure, and they dont wanna get into semantics for something that is completely unnecessary.

Bottom line, its in your Terms of Service. You cant really argue with that after you hit the accept button.

[thematrix1298]

where is the freedom of expression/speech?
PSN is the true gamer's network. You can be lesbian, gay, even alien...YOU ARE ALL WELCOME TO PSN!!! PSN FTW!

[Tiberium]

funny you should say speech. when I'm on the PSN. Only a few people have mics to talk in. A little ironic that they aren't "speaking."

[greenmeanie]

The people who were harassing her should get banned! They are the real problem. Did she really need to go all out and flaunt her gay pride to everyone on Xbox live? No she didn't. But that doesnt mean she doesn't have the right to! For example if someone said white power they would be automatically banned for racism. But if someone wrote black power they wouldn't get banned because if they did get banned the act of banning them would be "racist". See where I am getting at? Nobody is going to get banned if the write "I am a heterosexual" on their profile. But should they? Yes! Because if the terms are to not discuss sexual orientation, then it doesnt matter if you are gay or straight you shouldn't put it in their in the first place. The problem with this whole situation and the reason I am on the girl's side is because I know for a fact they wont ban anyone who says "I am a heterosexual" or "black pride" or anything like that. That is why it is not right for them to ban her. They should ban those who violate any term without discrimination and they should ban those who harassed her! She should get a second chance with the agreement of not putting her sexual orientation on their and those who say they are heterosexual (because I guarantee you there are) need to also take it off.

[No Way]

Two things.. "Players can, however, self identify in voice communication where context is more easily explained to all players involved." So, you can yell it in the games and such, but not written in text on your profile.. Uhm?

And, second. "although it sounds like this happened because a large group of people organized to complain about her description" If someone gets reported, they get "lit up" on a list at MS, and they can then see who, and what, the problem is.

Should MS have banned, or suspended her, for the content? No, I don't believe so. Not unless they treat everyone else the same way.

[tehk1w1]

Microsoft has the right to ban anyone they please from XBl if they violate their TOS. Explicitly stating your sexuality in your user name is a blatant violation of their TOS, thus the ban.

Believe it or not, Microsoft isn't the only one who imposes this. Try and make a character on World of Warcraft called "Bicurious" and see how long it takes before a GM tells you to change your name.

It's not sexual discrimination nor is it anything that Microsoft could get sued for.

[bonesmccoy]

Sexual preference has no place in online gaming - just as religion, ethnicity, and political affiliation don't either.

[oldsnayke]

Wasn't the information found in her bio? Shouldn't she have the ability to express her sexuality in her bio?

[deividpaulo]

they hate lesbians but they loves f**gs...because f**gs are the Microsoft public at all...uaehuaehu

[knightoftears]

This story is retarded, how can they limit you on who you are? So they want you to buy their games and pay to be on XBL no matter what orientation you are, but if that orientation is made public and it says you are gay then they will ban you from XBL?...idiots. I don't care how much money they make, they can't put mandates on who someone is. If they are so worried about sexual orientation, then every movie on Netflix that has anything to do with and/or contains any form of homosexuality, or lesbianism should be removed and not be made available.

[xg-ei8ht]

Lesbian or not.

They have no right to ban a user for it.

That is discrimination, fullstop.

Yes i understand people might not want to hear it, but it's a fact there are many types of people in this world.

You 360 guys call live a place for playing games, but from what i've seen and heard, alot worse then this goes on, live in itself is no place for kids, although alot of kids are on there.

And why would kids be offended by someone being a lesbian anyway. It's not like theres a pic showing her kissing another woman. Although most males would like to see it.(you know it's true)

And live is a place where people meet, either as well known friends or making new ones, and maybe, just maybe this girl put the lesbian tag, to say.

Hey i'm a lesbian, and if any other lesbians want to add me, and chat they can.

There is nothing wrong or even sexual in that.

I think it stinks.

[Horny Melon]

that are racist, homophobic,etc. Microsoft won't let you say you are gay, but they are perfectly okay with letting you be called f@g or a n!gg3r all day by other gamers? WTF.

[ofx360]

Ok, look.

She really doesn't have to put that she's lesbian but she did...expression i guess. The thing is people were harassing her so why no just change it? Its not like it would kill her to just remove the part about being lesbian; its not like she changing her sexual orientation for good; she's just just changing text. But instead of changing it, and ending the harassment she kept the name which is breaking the TAO. The TAO doesn't allow for ANY type of sexual mention. People must have been flustered with her being lesbian and kept on reporting her. Finally, MS responded, saw the violation, and suspended her account until she changed the unwanted info. This little, yet significant, change will make MS happy, the consumers happy, and subsequently, make her happy because stalking and harassing will stop.

Now if I were to have something like "I'm super-straight" in my description or whatever and enough people reported me, MS would take action, much like what they did for the lesbian, and suspend my account until i changed the unwanted info. There's nothing sexist or racist about the process.

You may also say, "how about those racist and loud-mouth-cursing-12yr olds?" Well, while i bet it's probably pretty hard to monitor speech like your can text, i'm sure MS would ban the delinquent if enough reports of racism or excessive explicit language(or whatever) is sent to MS.

Woo.../end

[wibble]

Jane: "mom, what's a lesbian?"

Mom: "it's a girl that sucks on another girl's crotch".

Jane: "mmmmmm..."

[TimeLord_Master]

The bible also states that a man can sell his daughter into slavery. What are your thoughts on that?