How come there are no positive gay or lesbian characters in games?

[Gaskell]

I was referring to not making a big deal of their sexuality, but it being stated, and then the game carries on, it just being another level of the characterisation cake
If they're gay or lesbian, it's just delicious creamy fillin

 

[hippykiller]

It just occurred to me that very few games have gay or lesbian characters.
There are one or two exceptions to this, Fable 2 being the only one I can think of off hand, though I don't think this should count, as your character's choices are controlled by the player.
How members of the gay and lesbian community here feel about this?
Do you care?

well besides Fable there are others. like that gay guy from GTA 4 he was positive. but that is all that comes to mind.

 

[Velocirapture07]

Let me give you the one true and simple answer: Because it is unnecessary. Not just unnecessary to have homosexuals, but it's unnecessary to even announce characters sexualities. It serves no real purpose but to add complications, and moreover, it doesn't even matter.

No one really cares whether or not a character in a game is gay or straight. Announcing it will just create controversy.

I have to agree with this. I mean when a character's sexuality is alluded to in a game subtly and it's not really important I don't care. But making sure everyone knows exactly how gay or straight the characters is is pointless and would only serve to complicate.

 

[Flunk]

GTA IV has one but he's a prietty big stereotype, then again everyone in that game is a big stereotype.

 

[Velocirapture07]

It just occurred to me that very few games have gay or lesbian characters.
There are one or two exceptions to this, Fable 2 being the only one I can think of off hand, though I don't think this should count, as your character's choices are controlled by the player.
How members of the gay and lesbian community here feel about this?
Do you care?

well besides Fable there are others. like that gay guy from GTA 4 he was positive. but that is all that comes to mind.

Good point. I liked the fact that guy gave me a freaking Lamborghini.

 

[Flunk]

GTA IV has one but he's a prietty big stereotype, then again everyone in that game is a big stereotype.

 

[Velocirapture07]

I wouldn't say it's that much of a "No gays in videogames" thing as much as it is a "No minorities in games".
When's the last time you saw a Black or Asian protagonist in a game?

GTA San Andreas, Faith from Mirrors Edge

 

[Same River New Water]

I just wondered because I'm a Literary studies student at Uni, just compiling my dissertation on approaching to literary theory, and the sexual orientation theory was quite interesting.
With the gay/lesbian story, it opens up for deeper characterizations and stories, perhaps looking at the persecution faced by them, or how characters feel they have to excel so they aren't identified by their sexuality

How's this for "identified by their sexuality": the vast majority of video game characters never give the slightest indication of their sexual orientation, and yet you assume none of them are gay.

Maybe your dissertation should take a look at the concept of homosexuality as an Othered trait: that is, people are assumed to be heterosexual unless it's explicitly stated otherwise.

 

[Digital Baklava]

isn't gordan freeman gay?

 

[KeiraZodiac]

Many people on here seem to argue that "It's not a big deal so why include it?"
to that I ask "It's not a big deal so why NOT include it?"

 

[Spacelord]

What about the left Pong bat? Everyone knows he LOVES the cock.

 

[ix_tab]

As an interested queer I ask myself that a lot. I'd like to champion Mass Effect for the lesbians, because I felt that when you were female Shepard it wasn't a creepy 'for the boys' thing, it was an actual relationship between her and Liara.

It basically boils down to that mainstream games are marketed at a broad a market as possible. And if they have to disclude minorities to appeal to a close minded majority? They cheerfully will.

I think the closest we are going to get for a while is the option to be queer, but with the het side promoted. But I do believe that the game industry is taking steps in a positive way.

Also, an aside but: anyone who thinks Torchwood was a positive portrayal of ANYTHING gay, bi, het or otherwise needs their heads examined. I love Torchwood, but my god. World's worst secret agents headed by world's worst boss, and a prime example of do not shit where you sleep. Torchwood is trashtacular. Please don't consider it a positive portrayal of the queer community.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

I was referring to not making a big deal of their sexuality, but it being stated, and then the game carries on, it just being another level of the characterisation cake
If they're gay or lesbian, it's just delicious creamy fillin

Dodgy metaphors aside, when was the last time you told someone your sexuality, or had it stated?

People defined as "Gay" tend to be the worst excesses of a stereotype. If they just happen to enjoy sleeping with the same sex, where's the need in stating it? It doesn't define you who you are.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Many people on here seem to argue that "It's not a big deal so why include it?"
to that I ask "It's not a big deal so why NOT include it?"

Because it's unnecessary and promotes negativity. Heroes are defined as Everyman (or woman) for a reason. They're everything to everyone.

 

[Anachronism]

isn't gordan freeman gay?

Gordon is whatever and whoever the player decides he is. That's the beauty of having a silent protagonist.

 

[ix_tab]

I was referring to not making a big deal of their sexuality, but it being stated, and then the game carries on, it just being another level of the characterisation cake
If they're gay or lesbian, it's just delicious creamy fillin

Dodgy metaphors aside, when was the last time you told someone your sexuality, or had it stated?

People defined as "Gay" tend to be the worst excesses of a stereotype. If they just happen to enjoy sleeping with the same sex, where's the need in stating it? It doesn't define you who you are.

I tell people what my sexuality is all the time. That way, I weed out the homophobes in the room trying to talk to me.

They don't bother me, and I get to ignore them.