WTF Stories of the Week

[alphabassettgrrl]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Heterosexuals proclaim their sexuality daily but homosexuals don't because of fear?
...
Really, do you REALLY think people are going to physically attack you if you do? Is the number of current gay bashings really that high in comparison to the population?

I ride a line between "showing" and "being quiet", absolutely. While the sheer number of gay bashings isn't large, it's small comfort if one is targeted.

So yes, fear does keep things quiet. I'm with JWBear in that I'm tired of hearing how gay people "flaunt" their sexuality by holding hands, yet when an opposite-sex couple does it, it's not flaunting anything. BS. It's the same, just one is approved by the larger society, one is not (yet).

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

It is my opinion that the best long-term solution to homophobia (short of a time-traveler who goes back and eliminates the founding of all religions) is to be out and honest with people you personally encounter. It's a slow process, but in the long run the more people who are shown that we are just like them, the better our chances of achieving equality become.

Definitely. Those of us who can, will make it easier for those of us who can't yet.

[bewitched]

As an aside, here is Microsoft's response:

As stated in the Xbox Live Terms of Use, a member may not create a gamertag or use text in other profile fields that include comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate content of a potentially sexual nature. Profiles that do are asked to change the language and suspended until changes are made. In regards to sexual orientation, for gamertags or profiles we do not allow expression of any type of orientation, be that hetero or other. Players can, however, self identify in voice communication where context is more easily explained to all players involved.

So presumably, if someone had a tag of "straightman" and it was brought to MS's attention (which seems to be some part of the mix), MS would suspend that person as well.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Somehow this makes me feel better.

Originally Posted by bewitched

As an aside, here is Microsoft's response:

So presumably, if someone had a tag of "straightman" and it was brought to MS's attention (which seems to be some part of the mix), MS would suspend that person as well.