Hate Speech in Gaming Media (Or "Playing Medics is for Girls.")

While there are still many, many hardships facing gays, lesbians and transgendered people nowadays, life for these people is far better than it was before the 1969 Stonewall Riots.  Indeed, the years that followed have gotten us that much closer to equality, and the open hatred that fuels discrimination today will be felt in only a few niche groups, including radical right-wing religion... And gaming communities.

Not to say that all gaming communities are homophobic, but the casual nature in which insults of sexuality and sexual identity are thrown about in the gaming community are rivaled only by men's professional athletics, a haven of cave men if there ever was one.

Of course, for examples, I could go to any gaming forum of blog and see such insults, but the forum jackasses are really only a symptom of a bigger problem - tolerance of such mindsets in the gaming media.  Of course, I'd be negligent if I didn't mention everyone's favorite troll, Yahtzee.  His recent Gears of War 2 "review" has him going out of the way to make tasteless gay jokes.

While there are still many, many hardships facing gays, lesbians and transgendered people nowadays, life for these people is far better than it was before the 1969 Stonewall Riots.  Indeed, the years that followed have gotten us that much closer to equality, and the open hatred that fuels discrimination today will be felt in only a few niche groups, including radical right-wing religion... And gaming communities.

Not to say that all gaming communities are homophobic, but the casual nature in which insults of sexuality and sexual identity are thrown about in the gaming community are rivaled only by men's professional athletics, a haven of cave men if there ever was one.

Of course, for examples, I could go to any gaming forum of blog and see such insults, but the forum jackasses are really only a symptom of a bigger problem - tolerance of such mindsets in the gaming media.  Of course, I'd be negligent if I didn't mention everyone's favorite troll, Yahtzee.  His recent Gears of War 2 "review" has him going out of the way to make tasteless gay jokes.

Those gay jokes in that video were completely necessary, I would be offended if they were not included.

"Those gay jokes in that video were completely necessary, I would be offended if they were not included.

 

I would also like to point out that certain times the stereotypes are either: ***A) Satirical of a culture, à là GTA IV or B) From Japan.*** The online community is another thing, understand that people are people and the anonymous nature of the online biz allow people to dish out their personal bias. Remember that homosexuality is the last acceptable prejudice left in this culture. Nobody can make fun of race/nationality (But people secretly do)/Gender/Ableism/Ageism, but one can hate the gays because it has been engrained into their culture (Probably because so many people have claimed biblical sanction, their hate is a devine hate inspired by the god of love if you will). But that progress has been excellent, as you have mentioned.

 

Then there are the online communities like Gaygamer.net, which is a whole other topic altogether.

"Ok....I start by saying "There is nothing wrong with gay jokes or making fun of people who want to be a medic or just retards in general".  Games are games and if there is any sign or indication of homosexuality in it, somone will be pointing it out very soon.  As far as guys who want to be a medic, of course thats the pussy job.  I  mean who in the hell wants to sit around and carry a pistol and a bag full of sponge bob bandaids.  I want a M16 w/ grenade launcher and a huge bazooka.  Fuck all the pussy shit and give me somthing with a bang to it."

Insensitivity by them?
Or oversensitivity by you?

This is the internet dude, anything goes and that includes sexism and homophobia

Nice close-minded post there Yuko. In an attempt to explain why gaming should be more accepting of alternative sexual lifestyles you're also insinuating that the only proper view is one of total acceptance and good-natured friendliness, and you wonder why sports appear to be homophobic.

YukoAsho said:

"...the open hatred that fuels discrimination today will be felt in only a few niche groups, including radical right-wing religion... And gaming communities"

"Not to say that all gaming communities are homophobic, but the casual nature in which insults of sexuality and sexual identity are thrown about in the gaming community are rivaled only by men's professional athletics, a haven of cave men if there ever was one.."

"Of course, I'd be negligent if I didn't mention everyone's favorite troll, Yahtzee.  His recent Gears of War 2 "review" has him going out of the way to make tasteless gay jokes."

"Perhaps a better example would be Jeff Gerstmann's assessment of the usual medic class when he talks about Resistance 2 during the nomination video for Giant Bomb's 2008 multiplayer game of the year award."  

"No other mainstream entertainment - again, with the exception of men's athletics - is so insistent on hammering home the notion that unless you fit a very narrow archetype for a man (or woman), you are inferior to those who do.  Personally, I reject such a notion, and long for the day when gaming breaks this last barrier.  Last thing we want is for gaming to be associated with other havens of bigotry."

"Nice close-minded post there Yuko. In an attempt to explain why gaming should be more accepting of alternative sexual lifestyles you're also insinuating that the only proper view is one of total acceptance and good-natured friendliness, and you wonder why sports appear to be homophobic.

YukoAsho said:

"...the open hatred that fuels discrimination today will be felt in only a few niche groups, including radical right-wing religion... And gaming communities"

Radical right wing religion? Are you implying that only leftist, liberal thinking should be allowed?

YukoAsho said:

"Not to say that all gaming communities are homophobic, but the casual nature in which insults of sexuality and sexual identity are thrown about in the gaming community are rivaled only by men's professional athletics, a haven of cave men if there ever was one.."

Insults of sexuality are simply insults, they usually do not imply a broad hatred for homosexuals, as I'm sure your real-life experience has tought you. What people say in a game server is not the way someone is going to act in public discourse. If, for example, I called you a fag, I'm not saying "You are a homosexual and by virtue of that you are lower than me," rather it is a way of saying "You're an asshole and I'm better than you." See? You know exactly what people mean when they make these kinds of jokes.

YukoAsho said:

"Of course, I'd be negligent if I didn't mention everyone's favorite troll, Yahtzee.  His recent Gears of War 2 "review" has him going out of the way to make tasteless gay jokes."

Yahtzee is funny, and for the most part accurate regarding his game reviews. Just because he's not afraid to speak honestly, he's a troll, his content is trash? That's like me saying that because you don't find gay jokes funny, you're post is meaningless. See how easy it is to bash someone for no real reason other than one you make up on the spot?

YukoAsho said:

"Perhaps a better example would be Jeff Gerstmann's assessment of the usual medic class when he talks about Resistance 2 during the nomination video for Giant Bomb's 2008 multiplayer game of the year award."  

It was a joke spoken in a non-threatening, non-serious, non-bigoted way by a man who has never expressed word one of anti-homosexual opinion. I'm sorry but you're an idiot making up an argument when there isn't one.

YukoAsho said:

"No other mainstream entertainment - again, with the exception of men's athletics - is so insistent on hammering home the notion that unless you fit a very narrow archetype for a man (or woman), you are inferior to those who do.  Personally, I reject such a notion, and long for the day when gaming breaks this last barrier.  Last thing we want is for gaming to be associated with other havens of bigotry."

Men's athletics is a field where one must be as strong, fit, swift, agile, and mentally tough as possible. If you consider that a "narrow archetype" then yes, anyone else is in inferior within that sport because IT'S FUCKING SPORTS YOU PHONY DOUCHEBAG. You're a thought-policing asshole, assuming a holier-than-thou position because of your opinion of homosexuals. If someone says something you don't like, here's a thought: Ignore them, or bash them right back you limp-wristed faggot. Oh snap, I said it.


"

this thread is for girls.

So, you're complaining that a bunch of dudes who play video games make gay jokes?

God I can't stand Yahtzee. I agree with your blog my friend! 

"God I can't stand Yahtzee. I agree with your blog my friend! "

"Those gay jokes in that video were completely necessary, I would be offended if they were not included."

I like Yahtzee, condemn me if you will YukoAsho.

"SathingtonWaltz said:

"God I can't stand Yahtzee. I agree with your blog my friend! "

"

I think you're reading into it too much. It's just a joke, it doesn't mean anything. I do agree that it's wrong that gays are one of the few groups left that it is OK to joke about, but rather than stopping people saying harmless jokes about gays, we should make it acceptable to make fun of other people. It's a joke, and people should understand that. There's nothing wrong with a harmless joke. Just because I found a gay joke funny doesn't mean I'd treat someone who's gay differently in real life. The same for racist, sexist, agist or anything-elseist jokes. They're harmless.

Saying that stuff like the "playing medics is for girls'" statement is a stab at homsexual people or can be taken seriously in anyway is nitpicking and REDICULOUS.  Sure, making fun of gay stereotypes is overused and can be seen as offensive, you're just making it more offensive by reacting to it.

Exhibit A:

"YukoAsho said:

"Perhaps a better example would be Jeff Gerstmann's assessment of the usual medic class when he talks about Resistance 2 during the nomination video for Giant Bomb's 2008 multiplayer game of the year award."

It was a joke spoken in a non-threatening, non-serious, non-bigoted way by a man who has never expressed word one of anti-homosexual opinion."

Dude, I always played as the medic in Battlefield 2. It was a well rounded class and killing people with the shock paddles was just plain cool.

"Dude, I always played as the medic in Battlefield 2. It was a well rounded class and killing people with the shock paddles was just plain cool."

I don't think Yhatzee was saying those things in an offensive way at all, it was obviously a joke and not meant in a harmful way. Same with Jeff, I severely doubt he's homophobic.

some are far too sensitive to stuff like this. this blog bost is a victim of it

i found the yahtzee review quite funny and i effing love gears 2 so yeah...

"some are far too sensitive to stuff like this. this blog bost is a victim of it"

lighten up, if you cant take in these jokes, the internet isnt a safe place for you

This post is old, but I just wanted to say I absolutely agree. Supposed gender roles and using "gay" (or the equivalent) as an insult are absolutely disgusting. The ironic thing is that I have friends who supported gay rights long before I did using the word "gay" as "stupid". I can't really understand that.  Though when it comes to Jeff's type of joke, I would mostly just roll my eyes.    

"

This post is old, but I just wanted to say I absolutely agree. Supposed gender roles and using "gay" (or the equivalent) as an insult are absolutely disgusting. The ironic thing is that I have friends who supported gay rights long before I did using the word "gay" as "stupid". I can't really understand that.  Though when it comes to Jeff's type of joke, I would mostly just roll my eyes.    

"

"@fireflys_locket said:

"

This post is old, but I just wanted to say I absolutely agree. Supposed gender roles and using "gay" (or the equivalent) as an insult are absolutely disgusting. The ironic thing is that I have friends who supported gay rights long before I did using the word "gay" as "stupid". I can't really understand that.  Though when it comes to Jeff's type of joke, I would mostly just roll my eyes.    

"

That's gay. Also old and big deal. If I was homosexual and someone called something gay, I shouldn't feel emotionally compromised by something that's not directed towards me. "

i take offense to what the OP wrote, let me write a book about it in a video game forum

Why would anyone bump this thread? Seriously, I sense a lock coming in the near future.

" @YukoAsho: Are you gay? I know a lot of gay people and I am completly confidant that none of them would be offended by any of those gay jokes.   And the medic or healer class is for girls. Simply put: Its a much less action oriented role, seeing as how the males of our species are the hunters, while the women are the gatherers, since women are capable of producing babies and are generally more responsible for taking care of them it would make sense that a woman would have the roll that would be the least dangerous and most suitable to their maternal instincts, plus people would rather be taken care of by a woman than a man. (Research has also proven that women who are very active are much less fertile and often miss their period completly)  So yes, playing medics is for girls, its true, thats why there is no male word for nurse.  Basically, fuck off and mind your own business. Nobody wants you to go and fight their battles for them, if the women and gays are offended, they can all get together, do something about it, and it will change. History has shown us that this is true.   Also, while I don't care for Yahtzee at all, you are wrong, he isn't a 'troll', in that he isn't purposely instigating hatred in a place where he knows his comments will do so. His videos are intended to be taken as comedy, and since you are going to his website to view them, you really have no business to complain about them.  HOWEVER, You are the definition of a troll. You come to our website and start on with this garbage nonsense about a worthless, meaningless topic and then * I GUESS * try to antagonize Jeff? I mean, its his website, we are here because we like him and his website ...so obviously we are going to rally behind some random douchebag going on about nothing.  So duder, shut the fuck up and mind your own business.  And while your at it, get off this website, we don't need any retarded douchebags here. (Oh man I said retard! Better post again about how the media is discriminating against mentally handicapped people! OH SHIT!) "

" @Xeiphyer said:

" @YukoAsho: Are you gay? I know a lot of gay people and I am completly confidant that none of them would be offended by any of those gay jokes.   And the medic or healer class is for girls. Simply put: Its a much less action oriented role, seeing as how the males of our species are the hunters, while the women are the gatherers, since women are capable of producing babies and are generally more responsible for taking care of them it would make sense that a woman would have the roll that would be the least dangerous and most suitable to their maternal instincts, plus people would rather be taken care of by a woman than a man. (Research has also proven that women who are very active are much less fertile and often miss their period completly)  So yes, playing medics is for girls, its true, thats why there is no male word for nurse.  Basically, fuck off and mind your own business. Nobody wants you to go and fight their battles for them, if the women and gays are offended, they can all get together, do something about it, and it will change. History has shown us that this is true.   Also, while I don't care for Yahtzee at all, you are wrong, he isn't a 'troll', in that he isn't purposely instigating hatred in a place where he knows his comments will do so. His videos are intended to be taken as comedy, and since you are going to his website to view them, you really have no business to complain about them.  HOWEVER, You are the definition of a troll. You come to our website and start on with this garbage nonsense about a worthless, meaningless topic and then * I GUESS * try to antagonize Jeff? I mean, its his website, we are here because we like him and his website ...so obviously we are going to rally behind some random douchebag going on about nothing.  So duder, shut the fuck up and mind your own business.  And while your at it, get off this website, we don't need any retarded douchebags here. (Oh man I said retard! Better post again about how the media is discriminating against mentally handicapped people! OH SHIT!) "

*facepalm*  Sometimes you amaze me, Xei. "

I'm sooooo tired of politically correct twats ranting about how insensitive the world is. Seriously, do you honestly think people are insulting gay people when they call their friend a "fag"? Honestly?

" @Symphony said:

" @Xeiphyer said:

" @YukoAsho: Are you gay? I know a lot of gay people and I am completly confidant that none of them would be offended by any of those gay jokes.   And the medic or healer class is for girls. Simply put: Its a much less action oriented role, seeing as how the males of our species are the hunters, while the women are the gatherers, since women are capable of producing babies and are generally more responsible for taking care of them it would make sense that a woman would have the roll that would be the least dangerous and most suitable to their maternal instincts, plus people would rather be taken care of by a woman than a man. (Research has also proven that women who are very active are much less fertile and often miss their period completly)  So yes, playing medics is for girls, its true, thats why there is no male word for nurse.  Basically, fuck off and mind your own business. Nobody wants you to go and fight their battles for them, if the women and gays are offended, they can all get together, do something about it, and it will change. History has shown us that this is true.   Also, while I don't care for Yahtzee at all, you are wrong, he isn't a 'troll', in that he isn't purposely instigating hatred in a place where he knows his comments will do so. His videos are intended to be taken as comedy, and since you are going to his website to view them, you really have no business to complain about them.  HOWEVER, You are the definition of a troll. You come to our website and start on with this garbage nonsense about a worthless, meaningless topic and then * I GUESS * try to antagonize Jeff? I mean, its his website, we are here because we like him and his website ...so obviously we are going to rally behind some random douchebag going on about nothing.  So duder, shut the fuck up and mind your own business.  And while your at it, get off this website, we don't need any retarded douchebags here. (Oh man I said retard! Better post again about how the media is discriminating against mentally handicapped people! OH SHIT!) "

*facepalm*  Sometimes you amaze me, Xei. "

YOU ARE HARSH. ALSO YOUR BLOGS ARE LAME. >=( "

I thought I was smoking fags.. 
And the Flintstones told us all that we would have a gay old time. 
But that's not okay? .. 

" @YukoAsho 
 
Perhaps you might consider growing a sense of humor? "

I just watched Yahtzee's Gears 2 review, the one linked in your post, and I will now disregard anything you ever say on this website, ever, because you said it was bad. Good day.

"

Exhibit A:

Someone who takes himself, and his surroundings, much too seriously. See: Original Post. "

  @RsistncE said:

" I'm sooooo tired of politically correct twats ranting about how insensitive the world is. Seriously, do you honestly think people are insulting gay people when they call their friend a "fag"? Honestly? "