A change to the Xbox Live code of conduct this morning now allows gamers to express their sexual orientation in Xbox Live profiles or Gamertags. The new policy states: "You may use the following terms to express your relationship orientation in your profile or Gamertag: Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Straight. Other terms regarding relationship orientation are not allowed. In addition you may not use these terms or any other terms regarding relationship orientation to insult, harass, or any other pejorative use against other users." Last April, Microsoft officials met with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to discuss the way Microsoft was handling the banning of players for using terms to describe sexual orientation. This morning Stephen Toulouse, head of Xbox Live policy and enforcement, wrote on Twitter that he was "proud to announce" the worldwide changes made live today with a "Special thanks to GLAAD and Microsoft's LGBT community for guidance on the terms."
lmao. Ahhh, isn't that just great. People actually took time to make this possible. Time well spent! (sarcasm)
I agree and disagree with this Xbox Live policy. First of all, on allowing you to put your sexuality in your profile. Who the hell gives a damn? Its an online gaming community, no one cares if your black or white, if your gay or straight or anything. When playing against someone on Xbox Live I dont WANT to know someone's personal business. I am there to play a game and don't care about who I am against, apart from there skill in game. Id sooner the policy be for Straights and gays, that "No one wants to know, keep anything to do with men/women and sexuality away from online gaming altogether". A fair policy for all. If people want to tell there friends, fair enough, but some random person on matchmaking does not give a damn. Secondly, on the policy inforcement on homophobia, that is a good improvement. The law in America doesnt give any protection against homophobia, so Microsoft didnt have to enforce this policy, but its good they did. All those Americans on Xbox Live can finally grow up like the rest of the world and stop insulting homosexuality at every corner. People might be able to enjoy Halo, without being called gay just because they killed someone, which is the aim of the game!
Great for people who feel the need to make a big deal over there sexual orientation i'm sure... although last time i checked Xbox Live wasn't a dating service. In honestly who cares either way? the last thing i'm thinking about when playing an online game is if the girl on the other team is a lesbian or if my teammate is gay. Really it should have never not have been allowed in the first place, now everyone is going to make a massive deal over it.