Homosexual Representation

[MrSnugglesworth]

Grrrr, I hate gay people, always being normal, and having slightly high pitched voices that are so interesting to listen to!

 

[Spleeni]

Dumbledore.

That's the punchline: normal homosexual people look normal.
No one notices, and its not much brought up.

That's non-canon!
...
I...think. I dunno, but I didn't get that vibe from the books. Maybe it's me.
/off topic

I really don't see the need to emphasize that this character is gay, or that one is. I mean, it's the same sort of thing as making the main character having a black side-kick, giving him a love interest, and killing his parents. Unless being gay pertains to the gameplay or the story, what's the point?

 

[SyphonX]

In the media today, I find that their is a huge lack of "normal" homosexual couples. Often, in TV shows, the gay community becomes the butt of many jokes, or gay and lesbian characters are often cliche. In games, they are simply absent. I am yet to play a game which features a homosexual couple that are just normal people.

Do you think that adding "normal" representations of gay people in game, or in fact the general media, will make society more accepting? Is this a need?

No, it isn't a need. If you feel so strongly about it then produce and release your own game. Really, political correctness is out of control if someone can't make a video game unless they parade around a couple's sexual preference simply because some feel it's too biased to not do so.

No thanks. I'm not alone in saying the gay community shredded the normalcy they so seek to gain when they have extremely flamboyant gay pride parades. I don't care if you're straight, gay or bump uglies with dogs. How about this one folks; Don't impose your sexual preference or needs on my everyday life.

 

[Cesasse]

Dumbledore.

That's the punchline: normal homosexual people look normal.
No one notices, and its not much brought up.

That's non-canon!
...
I...think. I dunno, but I didn't get that vibe from the books. Maybe it's me.
/off topic

I really don't see the need to emphasize that this character is gay, or that one is. I mean, it's the same sort of thing as making the main character having a black side-kick, giving him a love interest, and killing his parents. Unless being gay pertains to the gameplay or the story, what's the point?

To add to the off-topic and on-topic a moment, I will say this: His sexuality had no effect on the story. Why did she even mention it?
This is part of the point you could have made. His sexuality had nothing to do with the story, it didn't effect anything. It may explain his interest in Harry, and how nicely he treats him (at least most of the time), but it really means absolutely nothing. Window dressing. Not even that, since I found out about this about two weeks after six deaf men in a temple in Tibet found out about it.

Sexuality has no role in the story of most games, and therefore is irrelevant. Unless its a sexually-based game. Then yeah, sure, why not. But I'm pretty sure there's already 'gay' sex games.

 

[SyphonX]

Isn't that the whole point?

You want them to be normal people, right? Well in what game that you play would it just happen to be very important to the gameplay to know your character's sexual preference?

For all we know, Gordon Freeman could be homosexual. I don't think he's expressed attraction towards a woman.

If a character has to announce whether he's homosexual or straight, well, then, that alone is falsely representing things, isn't it? I don't see many people go around doing that. And I don't think games need to have cutscenes where a character is staring at a guy or girl's ass to explain their sexuality. Most of the time it just simply isn't relevant.

That said, I agree with you completely - if they're there, they're always terrible, terrible stereotypes. But the point that I was trying to make is that it's hard to insinuate that a character is homosexual without them being stereotypical because, well, if they weren't stereotypical, most people wouldn't even notice. Unless, like I said, it's specifically stated (like, say, if Dominic Santiago was homosexual and was it was his husband he was agonizing over instead of his wife), it won't happen.

Anyway, things will change over time. Don't worry.

This.

It shouldn't even be an issue. That's a perfect example with Gordon Freeman and his absence of a declared sexual preference.

Whenever I play a game that openly depicts the protagonist's sexual preference either by comic relief or what have you, then I am immediately put off from taking the rest of the game seriously. The instant this happens with a character (gay or straight) I feel like I'm playing a juvenile game and I find it hard to care for the character in the slightest, because it's always an over-the-top unrealistic love story or one underwhelming slapstick joke after another.

It's important to remain somewhat neutral in games, where unlike a movie telling you what the story is, you're playing a game where you take another step into relating to the story, characters and game world. If the developers decided to cast their characters as openly gay it would immediately put off a lot of people, simply because many people wouldn't relate to it. This is also a double-edged sword for many people because maybe a lot of gay gamers don't want to have to sit through another cliche straight couple love story.

There is room for love stories in games, but it has to be Very well done or else it's always going to be cliche. The perfect example is the American 'blonde love interest' that always seems to be a staple in nearly every game. Totally irrelevant and completely unnecessary, just like the 'token black guy' for comic relief usually found in said games.

 

[CWestfall]

Sexual preference is one of the golden three things you should have some sense of reserve when talking about, (Next to your politics and religion.) so most game developers probably wouldn't shout it from the rooftops if a character were interested in the same sex, just like they don't when a character is interested in the opposite sex.

 

[Mockingjay]

A good friend of mine is pretty much as gay s you can get, but he looks normal, acts normal and it's impossible to tell if he's gay or not unless he tells you. The media normally obsesses over the gay stereotype, making them more feminine than neccessary. It almost like they are not considered men. Many gay men find this insulting. There are normal gay men in the media, you just have to look, but yeah, the overwhelming majority of gay men in the media have their characters exaggerated.

Gay women are sympathetically portrayed in tv, leaving out the realms of porn. The lesban aspect is often subtle. This doesn't make people any more accommodating though...

 

[Skeleon]

homosexuality is certainly not normal
have you ever heard of gay animals? Yeah maybe one or two odd cases but they aren't gay because then they don't make babies, which is the point of having sex.

Well, no, that isn't really true.
There are several cases of homosexual behaviour.
Dolphins, penguins, apes are all well known for this.
Especially some ape-species (like the bonobos) have incorporated it into their society.
So, while it doesn't serve the purpose of procreation, it still exists.
Especially in more highly developed animals, apparently for the purpose of stress relief and enjoyment which, if you think about it, is the reason for most human sex (both hetero- and homosexual), too.

 

[acj540]

I dont think its needed in gaming, they are just normal people

 

[aperpheldy]

Not trying to offend any gays or lesbians.


But homosexuals are not "normal" they are wrong in having relationships with the oppisate sex.
Regular people dont want to hang out with homosexuals because then other people would assume that the straight people are homosexual.
I personaly dont like homosexuals because homoexuality is a sin against my religon.

Despite your good intentions, you have managed to offened homsexual people with this statement. Even if it is a part of your religious beliefs that gay people are "wrong", this does not justify your open dislike for them. surly your god will punish them, so you don't need to worry.

 

[Aussiboy]

Not trying to offend any gays or lesbians.


But homosexuals are not "normal" they are wrong in having relationships with the oppisate sex.
Regular people dont want to hang out with homosexuals because then other people would assume that the straight people are homosexual.
I personaly dont like homosexuals because homoexuality is a sin against my religon.

Ok I can deal with the fact that your religion finds homosexuality a sin but saying that ?regular? people would not want to be seen with a gay person just because they may be thought to be gay as well is complete and utter rubbish.

For example there are 7 people in my main group of friends and with in that there are 2 very open straight couples now by what your saying if I were to bring a boyfriend into the groups and act the same as the straight couples that would threaten how the public sees them so much that they would not want to be seen with me. You have a very warped view of reality.

 

[lava_lamp]

im for gay marrige and all

but i dont think homosexually is normal

I bet there are tons of things about you that you think are fine that others dont think are normal either. Being here, it is likely you enjoy things such as gaming, comics, or something usually called "nerdy" and I assure you there are still people who dont think we are normal. Normal is a stupid and vague word that can be really anything.

i dont want to be mean or anything, but homosexuality isnt normal because a male and female couple is normal

im not saying being gay is wrong

im just saying its not normal

 

[LockHeart]

To be honest, it doesn't concern me in the slightest. I don't need a PC diversity quota forced down my throat, I just don't care whether someone's gay or not. Putting them in games isn't going to make people suddenly change their opinions and not only that, gender/ethnicity/sexual orientation really doesn't define a good character: I want someone who's interesting, engaging and who draws me into the story.

 

[MercenaryCanary]

Dear sir, I do believe Mass Effect and a new casual MMO do enable you to be wild sex crazed homosexuals.
Signed with polysexual sarcastic love,
Mercenary57

My favourite part was when you misspelt your own name.
I think you may have just invented a new form of sexuality.
What exactly does polysexuality entail?

Polysexuality means that you can be bisexual, but instead of saying that, you say "I can fall in love with any gender, thing, or species."

 

[ManiacalZManiac]

Fable 2 had a couple of homosexuals. Most would come up to my character...

Also: Bloodstone male prostitutes... Oh, wow.

 

[Kage Me]

As stated many times, you won't know if they're gay unless they're in a relationship... Much like in real life ;D

 

[Rascarin]

Dear sir, I do believe Mass Effect and a new casual MMO do enable you to be wild sex crazed homosexuals.
Signed with polysexual sarcastic love,
Mercenary57

Mass Effect, whilst, shall we say, "open minded" does not really represent what the OP was asking for, i.e. "a game which features a homosexual couple that are just normal people."

Not exactly a "normal" couple when one of them is a 106-year-old mono-gendered blue alien. ^-^

Jade Empire might fit the bill though....

 

[xxcloud417xx]

In the media today, I find that their is a huge lack of "normal" homosexual couples. Often, in TV shows, the gay community becomes the butt of many jokes, or gay and lesbian characters are often cliche. In games, they are simply absent. I am yet to play a game which features a homosexual couple that are just normal people.

Do you think that adding "normal" representations of gay people in game, or in fact the general media, will make society more accepting? Is this a need?

The "normal" couples don't need more representation, that's not where the problem lies. The problem is that the media and much of the population is still homophobic and are really trying to bring out the worst in homosexuals by exhibiting them as freaks. Stop putting MAKING them look bad when they're not.