Wow. I can't believe how many people just don't understand what it's like. Ever heard of heteronormativity? It's when people talk as if there are no gay people around, like they don't exist (basically ignorance). And it can be really hard for gay people. It makes them feel abnormal and especially over the internet (where anyone can be on the other end) it's disheartening. You don't want to come out to everyone you meet, but at the same time, people make assumptions about you being straight everywhere you go. So what are you supposed to do? Hide it? It's a very difficult issue. No one would say "I'm straight" in their profile because, well, there is no gay equivalent to heteronormativity, at least not on Xbox Live. But if there were a gay-heavy online gaming service, I'm sure a lot of straight people would put "straight" in their profile. As well, maybe this woman was asking for a little sensitivity to all the hate-speech. There is simply nothing wrong with it. The way people act turned me off of Xbox Live immediately. It's ridiculous. My solution is to not subscribe, but I shouldn't have to do that.
If Microsoft strictly forbids mentioning your orientation, that's just strange. Are gamertags like 'Angelinaishot' wrong? What about furry references? Sexuality comes out in all we do, even across the internet. It would be nice, in theory, if none of the stereotypes were true (straight or gay) and no one ever came across sexual behavior or content over the internet, but we don't live in a vacuum. It happens and people try to cope or explain or ask for tolerance or understanding, or whatever. Anyone that believes that gay people 'advertise it' clearly don't understand and, not to make assumptions, but I really doubt they know any gay people very well. This ignorance needs to stop. Instead of living in a bubble of FUD, learn a little bit about what it's like being gay in our culture.
