I don't get why people are angry. It's not like it's a convention where they're going to announce the newest PS4 launch exclusive and all the straight people can't go. It's just a convention targeted towards like minded individuals within the gaming community. Could have used a better name though.
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San Fran. Hosts GAYMERX, The World's First Gay Video Gamer Convention Last Weekend
- Thread starter lenovox1
- Start date
Palette Swap
Member
I'd bring half a dozen hot chicks back home and my wife would be totally annoyed.
DigitalSmoke
Banned
But setting up a straight convention its gay hate right? ..
This shit pisses me off, same as the latest sexist bullshit spread across the web.
This shit pisses me off, same as the latest sexist bullshit spread across the web.
I attended and was a big contributor to the Kickstarter. It was a neat event with some interesting panels by Bioware and EA. I honestly felt a bit out of my element as the crowd was a bit more uh... bizarre than I'm used to, and there's nothing wrong with that. It was a safe space for people to be themselves, with people of varying tastes and preferences that would undoubtedly get ridicule in most venues.
I think it'll be a lot larger next year.
I think it'll be a lot larger next year.
freenudemacusers
Member
ZQQLANDER
Member
At the end of the day it doesn't really matter what I or anyone else thinks. Fortunately people have the freedom to do what they want in America. You wanna create a gaming convention for "X" reason? Have at it. Kind of makes me sad though that the LGBT community doesn't feel comfortable at the mainstream gaming conventions; not really surprised though unfortunately.
Oh my fucking god, hahaha
Massive Duck. C.M.
Banned
0/10
I was going to reply but when people start calling me ignorant and short sighted there is no point.
Enjoy the thread because I have better things to do.
My only gripe is the name of the convention is kinda cheesy lol.
"Electronic Entertainment Expo" also don't have news about blu ray players, tvs, apple products and other eletronic entertainment stuff ... nobody is perfect
Ohmygodthatcameoutofnowhere. Amazing. xD
K
kittens
Unconfirmed Member
The thing is is that straight people (like me!) already have a ton of privilege and visibility in gaming culture (and the larger mainstream culture at large). We live in a heteronormative society -- a society that treats being hetero as more valid, normal, important, correct. Every run of the mill gaming convention is made for us by default. Because straight people are seen as the norm, no specific measures are taken to even acknowledge sexual orientation. It's assumed that you're straight. This marginalizes gay / queer / non-straight people, not to mention anyone who just wants to have a discussion about queerness in games.
Does that make any sense? Can someone explain this better than me? haha
They originally wanted Gaymercon, but then a legal dispute kicked in. It was pretty ridiculous.I wish the amount of bashing in this thread would stop, on both sides. I understand that while people may not agree with people opinions calling them ignorant and idiotic helps nothing. My only gripe is the name of the convention is kinda cheesy lol.
there are just no words...
there is actually no reason to explain anything in this thread. most of the posters didn't even read the thread nor will they bother reading the replies. also Stumpokapow's post was fantastic!
Nah, you got it. I didn't wanna bring up the word heteronormativity, but that's what it is lol.
Massive Duck. C.M.
Banned
I wish the amount of bashing in this thread would stop, on both sides. I understand that while people may not agree with people opinions calling them ignorant and idiotic helps nothing. My only gripe is the name of the convention is kinda cheesy lol.
Calling people out on their ignorance =/= bashing.
If they're uncomfortable, they could stop, you know, being ignorant. Some people have had a turnaround, but some people would rather believe that everything is a threat to them.
So this is the gaming equivalent to wanting a White Entertainment Television. Sad.
K
kittens
Unconfirmed Member
Yeah, I hate busting out the academic-ish jargon, but sometimes it's actually helpful!
faceless007
Member
guys why do people want to hang out around like-minded people without being judged or mocked i don't get it
Massive Duck. C.M.
Banned
Thought you had better things to do
Poltergust
Member
I would have loved to go if I lived anywhere near San Francisco plus I only found out about it after it finished.
Did you not read the previous posts in this thread? A convention like this allows gay gamers to gather together, discuss things, and enjoy themselves without fear of discrimination.
Not to mention that straight people can attend, too.
Did you not read the previous posts in this thread? A convention like this allows gay gamers to gather together, discuss things, and enjoy themselves without fear of discrimination.
Not to mention that straight people can attend, too.
K
kittens
Unconfirmed Member
You're talking as if we don't bring our identities into everything we do. Yes, it's a gaming convention, but that doesn't suddenly mean we check our identities / socialization / privilege / life experience at the door.
Also, it's just nice to be around people who are like you in an environment where you feel safe.
Pound_lb003
Member
We've come a long way when you put it like that.
I don't expect them to get why things like this exist, they're just annoyed that it seems exclusionary. But i just wish they knew how every day life feels for someone gay - and therefore why events like this exist.
It's not about saying 'fuck you' to straight people, it's about knowing you can be 100% comfortable with the people you're surrounded by.
I am not a fan of 'personal displays of affection', but it's horrible to have to be aware of my surroundings and others before patting my partners leg in a restaurant.
Hope they read this and take it at face value.
What did they discuss on their panels? If there's one thing I can congratulate EA its over their inclusivity on this topic.
Because sexuality is a component in many, many games. The thing is, as mentioned, since heterosexuality is the standard it goes by unnoticed. But think how many AAA games have casual references to relationships, romantic cutscenes, romance subplots or, hell, straight up pandering. Not everything is in your face like Dead or Alive but even innocuous games like Braid have sexuality in their story. It's inescapable.
So you can't just say "Well, it's just a bunch of games so sexuality doesn't matter" because it's omnipresent. You could no more dismiss sexuality in video games as you could gender and race.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
Why do you think a "gay convention" (actually, it's a convention for gay video gamers) was set up? ________
How do you apply what you just said to a "straight convention"?
Not that I've ever been to a con of any kind, but people who attend usually seem pretty open minded and young and blah blah. Do gays feel unsafe or unwelcome in any way at a 'normal' con?
Not that I think something like this convention shouldn't exist, but when people say it's a place where like minded people can feel safe and not judged and etc, is that specifically re: other cons or just in general?
Not that I think something like this convention shouldn't exist, but when people say it's a place where like minded people can feel safe and not judged and etc, is that specifically re: other cons or just in general?
TurnipFritters
Member
Often times LBGT folks feel unsafe and unwelcome nearly every single place they go.
I dont think sexual orientation should be tagged with a gaming show just to alleviate the fears of people, I think it makes such an event less focused on what it main purpose is.
rain elbows
Member
How would you know their sexual preference, and what does that have to do with games?
Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
I wonder if some folks who normally enjoy life as part of a majority experience feelings of paranoia, loss, or alienation, when presented with a social space in which they are not catered to with the highest priority.
Kind of like a simulation of what it feels like to be in a minority surrounded by a culture which is constructed to be set against you at some level. But with an added lack of familiarity over such feelings, resulting in almost uncontrollable outbursts of frustration at the situation.
Kind of like a simulation of what it feels like to be in a minority surrounded by a culture which is constructed to be set against you at some level. But with an added lack of familiarity over such feelings, resulting in almost uncontrollable outbursts of frustration at the situation.
Says someone who has probably never had to give much thought to their gender identity or sexual orientation.
As a 22 year old gay male, going to typically male-dominated forums with my bf (such as conventions), you get quite a bit of snide remarks and - if you're really lucky - groups of guys who either yell insults or decide to talk loudly behind your back nearby of how gross we are. All of which has happened to me. Detracts quite a bit from what you are there to enjoy - which is games.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
I would suspect that a gaming convention is more welcoming than gaming as a whole (because there's a self-selection among enthusiasts that I think would probably tend to be a little more inclusive than the audience as a whole). But there's still going to be hurdles in a general gaming convention, and the other thing is that this one is actually going to have gay-focused content and that's going to be interesting to attendees too.
But just to imagine for a second--imagine there was a Call of Duty Con. And it had, like, military recruitment booths (DADT has been repealed for like a year and a half, I wonder when those gays are going to get over it and stop being sour about decades of systematic dehumanization and discrimination), t-shirts and merch, a paintball range, LAN tournaments, trick videos, podcasts, announcements for the next game... so basically exactly the kind of variety of activities you'd expect for a convention that centers around Call of Duty. Do you expect the average gay person would feel safe taking part? That they could be assured they wouldn't be called a "fag"? That they'd be able to hold hands with their partner while walking through? That they could dress in, say, if they chose it, pink camo? Do you think they'd be able to attend a talk on homophobia in the CoD community? On gay characters (or a lack thereof) in CoD? If those panels did exist, what do you think the average question would be? Who do you think would be in the audience? I don't think it's hard to let the scenarios run through your head.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
This is why humans have problems and stuff like this interferes politics. People get way too offended.
Steve Youngblood
Member
According to whom? I feel like a lot of these criticisms boil down to a lack of critical thought wherein you have a valid observation only insofar as you are looking at the issue in an incredibly superficial manner. Let's ignore any attention on the attendees for a moment. Some conventions are about promoting new games. Some are about retro games. Some are about a specific company's games. Others are about a specific genre of gaming. This other convention might encompass all Gaming (i.e. video, card, board, etc.), while another might focus on just board games.
So, when you look at it in that fashion, clearly, not all gaming conventions are created equally. Now, when you consider that there are many different answers to the question "what should this convention be about," does it still surprise you that there can be different answers to the question "who is this convention aimed at?" Because it doesn't strike me as a difficult thing to understand why some might find such an endeavor appealing (i.e. promoting a friendly environment for homosexual gamers) even if I don't think it's an event specifically aimed at me. As per the description, I can still attend if I should desire, but even if I don't feel compelled to, I can be happy for those who are eager to attend such an event.
Mind you, I do understand that some may feel like promotion of one type of attendee may prove detrimental to another resulting in a "what about my group?" response. However, that should be fleeting. Meaning, does anybody honestly think we need a gaming event targeted at straight people? Specifically, what I'm asking is does anybody really want such an event to occur aside from wanting to make a disingenuous rhetorical point?
But back to the question of "why is sexuality a factor at all?" Well, it doesn't inherently need to be. However, there are clearly people in the community that think this kind of convention is important. And I'm not sure why I should doubt their sincerity or concerns.
Winterfang
Banned
I'm still confused why the need of a Gay only convention but more power to then I guess. I'm assuming straight gamers can also go, so I'm fine with it.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
What do you think is more important, that every event ever planned can be 100% optimally focused on what its main purpose is (I guess we'll ignore all the gaming stuff at Comic-Con, all the comic stuff at games conventions, peripheral makers, energy drink people giving out gamer fuel, military recruiters, car companies, everything else, whatever)...
... or that a big group of people are safe from harassment in one spot at one period of time for a few days?
You are not being harmed. You are welcome there. They would love to show you a good time. They have their arms open. Well, except that they're playing games and talking and exchanging merch and everything else. If you go there, you'll find a bunch of people busy having a convention. If you stand in the lobby saying "Why does this exist? What is the purpose? Why couldn't you be at E3?" you'll be the only one there not at a gaming convention. Do you get it?
I see I see, good replies. Also Call of Duty, lol. "Do you expect the average gay person would feel safe taking part? That they could be assured they wouldn't be called a fag?" I don't think any human being walking through a CoDCon could be assured they wouldn't be called a fag. I get your point, but it's a little much as I meant your average con and not an imaginary one dedicated to, stereotypically, the most offensive community.
Acerac
Banned
Everywhere I play video games it is constantly assumed that the player is a straight male. Whenever there's a relationship happening in a game I'm always a guy hooking up with a girl, and I have seen so many digital breasts that it is mindblowing.
That's one reason I was taken aback by spelunky. The character the main character saves can be a man, woman, or dog! Little details like that are notable solely because it strays from what I expect as the norm.
Massive Duck. C.M.
Banned
Possibly that, plus people that have been here longer knowing to keep some of their thoughts inside.
Isn't it obvious? To find a partner who will have sex with you and play video games.
Unspeakable Evil
Member
Mods In here telling it like it is.