LGBT in Video Games

[BlindedHunter]

I wish they'd stop demanding things be inserted into games just for them, I also wish they'd stop crying about a representation of their group they dislike or think is a stereotype.

Essentially I want them to stop acting like every other group of people who thinks they're "special" and that video games should cater more to them.

If video game designers don't want any gay characters in their game, it's their choice. If they want their game to be full of flaming hard gay stereotypes, also their choice. If they want their games to paint a representative picture of society, still their choice.

None of these decisions should be influenced by pressure from outside sources.

I've seen a lot of posts like this, and I wonder: is there really such a large push from the LGBT community to stick homosexuals, bisexuals, and whatever else have you into games?
I've been under the impression that the main group of people that has found that a topic of interest is a number of not-particularly-aligned game designers or aspiring game designers that feel the topics games cover would benefit from becoming broader and more significant in their importance - including explorations of the human condition in the market instead of just another game of x killing y.
Additionally, if this push is from the LGBT community, can one really say it is for them, or in order to better represent reality, and to further peoples understanding of the issue instead of letting those people continue to wallow in misinformation.

 

[semal]

I'm writing a Essay in my Critical Thinking Class about how the LGBT(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community is viewed by the gaming community. *snip*

I'd really be interested as to how your essay turns out - would you be willing to share it once it's done?

 

[klausaidon]

I'm writing a Essay in my Critical Thinking Class about how the LGBT(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community is viewed by the gaming community. *snip*

I'd really be interested as to how your essay turns out - would you be willing to share it once it's done?

Sure, I'll probably post it here. My proposal is due next Tuesday.

 

[Blade1130]

Personally, I couldn't care less about LGBTs (weird acronym). I feel the same way about then as I do about most religions, you can do/believe whatever the hell you want, just don't bring me into it and we're cool. I'm not gay/bi/transsexual, but as long as you don't try to do any of that stuff with me, I don't care what you do in your personal life.

If you're talking about in games, I wish this was explored further. So far the only one I've heard of that really mentions sexuality at all is Persona, and I've never played it. The only other thing I can think of in this category would be in Mass Effect 3, how you can apparently be gay now (though I would've sworn you could do that in the first one). Again though, I don't care what you can/can't do, if someone really wants a dude-on-dude sex scene, they can have it. Just don't force it on me, I don't wanna look at that...

 

[klausaidon]

The only other thing I can think of in this category would be in Mass Effect 3, how you can apparently be gay now (though I would've sworn you could do that in the first one). Again though, I don't care what you can/can't do, if someone really wants a dude-on-dude sex scene, they can have it.

In ME 1 and 2, Shepard could be lesbian, but not gay. ME3 is gonna change that, allowing for optional gay relationships too, on top of Lesbian, and straight options.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

I love the LGBT community. Fantastic fun.

As for LGBT in videogames. I wish that there was better representation. Bioware seem to be partially paving the way for mainstream LGBT relationships but there needs to be more. An actual investigation of how and why being LGBT is different to being heterosexual.

Of course, while I'm wishing for the stars I might as well highlight the moon. We also need games that offer a true interpretation of positive discrimination, a real interpretation of how race and gender affect people in the work place and how ageism can be a detriment as well.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

Being Strait is fine
Being gay/lesbian is fine
Bisexuality doesn't exist, it's just someone resisting the knowledge that they are queer.
Transsexuals have a mental disorder. I've never been sure why they were lumped in with the gay and lesbian community, but if you want to put a knife to your penis then you are fighting your natural biology.

I know you probably meant to be controversial to get opinions. I know I shouldn't respond to you, but goddammit this is one of the few things that still makes me legitimately angry.

Bisexuality is not resisting. You clearly know nothing about it personally, and I doubt you know anyone who is, so let's set the record straight.

There are multiple different levels of sexuality, ranging from fully heterosexual down to fully homosexual. In between there are hetersexual biromantics (people who want romantic relationships with both gender, but only sexual relationships with one gender) heterosexual homoromantics (sex with opposite gender, romance with same gender), bisexual homo- or heteroromantics, and homosexual bi- or heteroromantics.

Personally I identify as Hetersexual Biromantic. I've had romantic relationships with men and women, but I just don't feel sexual attraction towards other men.

And as for your comments about transsexuals. If you'd known some of the transsexuals that I've known, horribly confused people who are convinced they are in some way 'wrong' because of how they feel, but knowing that they do not feel comfortable in the body they are in? I actually can't even bother to take the time to argue with you on that one, suffice to say that I have rarely known anyone to be so wrong about a subject about which they obviously have no understanding.

 

[Drunkfather]

I don't agree with what you wrote here. Anders only ever forces his sexuality on you in 1 occasion (where you have no other options but to accept or deny his options) and does this for both the female and the male Hawke. Apart from that you can always chose to ignore the romance options much like you can do with the other characters.

I didn't say he forced his sexuality upon anyone. I said that he broadcasts his past love interests. That is typical of almost every clearly homosexual characters in video games. Typically, and in Anders case, (iirc) there is little to no mention of previous relationships with any other character in the game. However, Anders continually mentions his previous male lover. Again, no problem with it being there. I just feel the lack of any other characters love history makes Anders feel like the token homosexual, to me that is.

 

[Darh Abdomino]

As long long as they don't annoy me, with gay stereotypes or anything else, and they play well, I have no problem with them. Those are really my only requirements when gaming with others, straight or no. Besides, I don't really care to know about your preferences, as long as you remain civil and competent. hetero male here, if it matters.