Binge Gamer

It amazes me the number of people who think saying “you’re so gay!” is an insult. It isn’t. Get over it. You probably have friends and family members who are gay, but you don’t know it because they’re too afraid of your reaction to tell you. Trust me, being gay is not all of who you are as a person. It’s actually just a really minute part of who you are.

And that’s why I was so flustered to hear that Microsoft banned the person using the name “thegayergamer” on Xbox Live. Ok, well they didn’t ban HIM…just the name. Grant, aka thegayergamer, was asked by Microsoft to change his name before he’d be allowed to play again.

This story is being reported on a number of sites right now, and the comments intrigue me. There’s a ton of support for the gay community. There’s a ton of idiot homophobes leaving messages of hate.

Then, there’s a tiny third category - people who support the banning decision even though they also support the gay community…and it is in this category that I’d put myself. Yes, I know that this will make me a bit unpopular, but I support the banning of the name “thegayergamer”…and here’s why:

• I don’t want to encourage hatred on Xbox Live.
  

Really, this name is asking for trouble. I’m not saying that it is right that there are 13-year-olds running around and calling people faggots, but at the same time, why do you want to encourage that kind of thing? It seems to me that this name is sort of a taunt…like, come on, make fun of me. It is great that this Grant person is comfortable with his sexuality, but if you want to discourage discrimination, there’s a better way to do it - play with them, earn their respect, become their friend…and then mention that you’re gay. Close-minded people will just shut you off right away if you’re throwing the very thing you hate in their face.

• To some people, this sounds like an insult.
  

Because much of the Xbox Live community is discriminating towards gays, this name can very well be seen as a tongue-in-cheek insult. Multiple commenters on multiple sites noted this.

• MOST IMPORTANTLY: Being gay is an adult topic, simple as that.
  

Any way you look at it, being gay means that you like sex and romance with people of the same sex. I’m no prude, but I don’t think that it is appropriate to bring that up on any kind of online community where there are people under the age of 18. No, I don’t think that you should have to hide the fact that you’re gay. Really, though, it is up to parents when they want to talk to their kids about sexuality. Your name is an adult topic if it has “gay” or “lesbian” (or for that matter, “straight”) in it.

Bottom line, I just want to know why this is even an issue. Seriously. If being gay is really your entire identity, then I feel really sad for you. Sexuality is just a small part of who a person is, so pick a name that isn’t “adult” and just freaking play your game already. Geesh.