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[Cryoflar3]

OK.

So....was the presenter not aware she was a male at birth and still looks like one but prefers to be called a women?

Or was the presenter aware, and just being a dickhead?

I need some context here? Is there a video of this?

What's the story behind it?

He called her an "it" twice. You don't refer to someone like that unless you know. Even if they still look like a man its much more respectful to refer to them as a man than an it. At the very least you're not dehumanizing them.

 

[leadbelly]

Calling someone it makes your argument kinda moot. He understood who the transgender was.

No. In either case it would be a poor misjudgment on his part, but the difference is, in one scenario you could be a little more forgiving of.

 

[Monty Mole]

Nvm

 

[Replicant]

"still in shock"?

don't patronize her now

Don't mean to. I'm just speaking from personal experience after hearing insult as a gay guy (the F word) from someone I considered a friend. My first thought process was "Ah, he probably didn't mean what he mean, did he?", trying to cope with the shock of hearing the word in the first place.

 

[Warmijwilf]

He called her "it," so I'd say it was fairly intentional. When was the last time you called someone "it" in regards to their gender?

Sigh. We have no context as to what "it" was aimed at. Like I said, the guy was referring to avatars as "it" when I was there (yes I was there and fully know what comedian people are talking about) so she could've taken offense to something not even aimed at her in the first place and she could've just understood.

All we have is one side of the story and people have already made up their minds. Wonderful.

 

[Warmijwilf]

His job there was representing Microsoft, it is why Microsoft will offer an apology and denounce what the guy said.

I guess, but I wouldn't call him a "Microsoft rep" in the traditional sense.

 

[Amalthea]

You just don't call people "it". This term is humiliating beyond gender. It's humiliating your dignity as a human person.

 

[jonno394]

I call babies of indeterminate sex it/thing like "aww, isn't it cute" or "aww that's an adorable little thing".

 

[TheStevo]

Calling someone it is never justified and removes any room for confusion in your argument.

Oh please, let's stop with the high horse mantra. The world is not black and white; stating declaratives when none of us have the context is silly.

 

[macewank]

The guy was improvising for the most part, he wasn't given a script and brief representing Microsoft's views and policies. Or if he was, he ignored it. Thus, he wasn't representing Microsoft.

when microsoft pays someone to get on stage and talk at a microsoft event, they are a representative of microsoft.

 

[Loofy]

So... Im gonna say this probably didnt have anything to do with gender. Mainly cause I just dont think anyone is that stupid to cause that much controversy.

He probably referred to her as 'it' because he thought she was some weird otaku person. Hes a comedian.

 

[katkombat]

At this point microsoft might as well just fire their entire xbox PR. It's been one disaster after another since E3.

ya since e3 2005 oooooooooh

 

[KaiserBecks]

Yes, let's blame the victim, who's likely still in shock and trying to rationalize that people can't possibly be that hurtful to another person.

Do you live on cotton ball island? It was a joke in bad taste and uncalled for, but some people here need a reality check. Would you be "in shock", because somebody made fun of you? There are plenty of people out there who probably don't like you. Screw them, move on.

 

[NoMoreTrolls]

Holy shit that's reprehensible. This kind of garbage doesn't benefit anybody but bigots; the comedian should have known better than to make tasteless jokes of this nature.

The people who are trying to make this about Microsoft are jumping the gun a bit, though. It's not like Microsoft explicitly allowed him to be a bigot on stage. Microsoft is generally known for being a great LGBT employer, as far as I know.

 

[inherendo]

So because some one was insulted/humiliated, the ENTIRE Microsoft staff that worked that day has to be reprimanded?

You're a little bit extreme aren't ya?

They allowed that shit to go down. Extreme? They should be punished in some way. They knew it was wrong as soon as the lady asked for their names and they refused to give her them. If you do something wrong at work, they aren't going to ignore it. There has to some kind of consequence for your actions. Depending on how big this gets, I don't expect them to go unscathed.

No company wants to offend a group of people unless they are willing to take the bad pr and I don't think MS will allow this to slide since they are in WA state.

 

[Deleted member 10571]

Holy shit, the fact this situation exists is pretty ridiculous. I was there and saw the whole thing. The presenter genuinely did not know whether or not is was a man/woman and didn't really say anything that could have been taken in offense.

Except for "it" and "thing", you mean?

 

[Sorian]

All we have is one side of the story and people have already made up their minds. Wonderful.

People don't want the truth, you know that

Regardless, Microsoft is still going to have to apologize for this even if this entire thing is off base. As for me, I react to the information I have and this is all we have right now.

 

[stargateheaven]

Yeah, a comedian isn't going to go call a gay person a "faggot" or a lesbian a "dike." Not unless they are a shitty comedian going for shock value. Anyone defending the comedian doesn't have a leg to stand on and should feel bad for even trying.

you have a point.
and to others, i wasnt trying to justify someone calling someone an "it", that's rarely used unless its non human or a baby.

 

[NoMoreTrolls]

when microsoft pays someone to get on stage and talk at a microsoft event, they are a representative of microsoft.

Pump your brakes. Let's not take it too far. A witch hunt benefits nobody.

 

[redcrayon]

I call babies of indeterminate sex it/thing like "aww, isn't it cute" or "aww that's an adorable little thing".

Do you question what they are or are not in front of a room full of people for a cheap laugh?

Bit of a difference between calling a baby a neutral term in front of their parents to limit offence when you don't know any better and deliberately aiming to humiliate a grown adult in public.

 

[Warmijwilf]

when microsoft pays someone to get on stage and talk at a microsoft event, they are a representative of microsoft.

I get that viewpoint, but I don't think MS should be blamed for one guy's actions. MS doesn't have a magical transphobe scanner that they can scan over people, and I very much doubt the topic of people's opinions and views of transpeople comes up when hiring comedians, so why is it their fault they got unlucky and hired a dick? Assuming this guy was even being one and not just painfully ignorant.

 

[freenudemacusers]

Pump your brakes. Let's not take it too far. A witch hunt benefits nobody.

But that's how it works for everyone. You put someone on your stage, that person becomes, at that moment, a face for the company.

 

[Nibiru]

I'm going to repeat alot of people here, that man is a disgusting piece of shit. It wasn't just a slip up either, he repeatedly insulted the poor woman. I don't entirely blame microsoft (although I am going to say jesus christ your pr guys) but this man is a fucking monster.

Ok he's insensitive and dumb but hardly a monster lol.

 

[jonno394]

Do you question what they are or are not in front of a room full of people for a cheap laugh?

Bit of a difference between calling a baby a neutral term in front of their parents to limit offence when you don't know any better and deliberately aiming to humiliate a grown adult in public.

Comedians humiliate grown adults for countless things ie weight, ugliness, taste in clothes etc. I admit this is a different context altogether though. I was just stating there are situiations where you can refer to people as it/thing ie. When they are babies, as yous aid, in a room full of people is not the right situation.

 

[LeeRoyBrown]

This story reminds me of this.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/03/25/adria-richards-fired-donglegate_n_2948161.html

You can't ever call someone IT or the incorrect Sex if you have been working with them all day and are quite aware, if that is the case he should be fired.

I feel sympathy if this poor woman was honestly made fun of in public, however I also feel sorry for this presenter IF it was said in jest because honestly, she's ugly as fuck. If she walked on stage and I'd never met her and looked at her head, I'd call her a guy. If I then had a double take and saw what looks like tits, I'd be really fucking confused and maybe a bit in scared of what to say. The English language really needs a middle ground word like Swedish does.

Hon = She
Han = He
Hän or Hen = Gender Neutral.

Again, I need to see the whole context.

EDIT: I want to hear the presenters defense before I get my pitchfork.

 

[MWS Natural]

Calling anyone an "it" or "thing" is fucked up but I honestly wouldn't have known to call her a "he" or "she" either.

 

[RoboGeorgeForeman]

Just going off appearance I'd have been a little confused myself, but calling the journalist "it" is pretty mean spirited.

 

[Diebuster]

Thought I should post this before Kotaku inevitably stealth-edits the article

http://kotaku.com/xbox-one-presenter-humiliated-me-on-stage-says-transge-1421596988

Oh Kotaku, at least they didn't use "it". And that's the real issue.

The 'him' in that line is referring to the presenter.

 

[Replicant]

Do you live on cotton ball island? It was a joke in bad taste and uncalled for, but some people here need a reality check. Would you be "in shock", because somebody made fun of you? There are plenty of people out there who probably don't like you. Screw them, move on.

You know for a fact that it's just a joke in bad taste and not anything more? Even if it is, why should that kind of joke be acceptable? And no, I don't have to accept people making fun of my sexuality. I'll also bet you won't like it if people make fun of you. You want to move on and let them do it again and again to you and others, have it your way. But I'd rather confront them and let them know that their behavior is offensive and unwelcome.

 

[Deleted member 10571]

aaand she just put her phone number out there. This will end well.

 

[Sorian]

I get that viewpoint, but I don't think MS should be blamed for one guy's actions. MS doesn't have a magical transphobe scanner that they can scan over people, and I very much doubt the topic of people's opinions and views of transpeople comes up when hiring comedians, so why is it their fault they got unlucky and hired a dick? Assuming this guy was even being one and not just painfully ignorant.

Companies do have to take responsibility for outside people that they hire. That is the risk to "outsourcing." Even for some of us here who can alienate him from MS, the general public won't because he is on stage with other MS employees.

aaand she just put her phone number out there. This will end well.

*sigh*

 

[Alo81]

Oh please, let's stop with the high horse mantra. The world is not black and white; stating declaratives when none of us have the context is silly.

Alright then how about this.

Calling someone a "thing" is never justified or excusable.

 

[macewank]

Pump your brakes. Let's not take it too far. A witch hunt benefits nobody.

oh, i'm not advocating a witch hunt. merely stating that the guy was representing microsoft.

personally, i don't have enough of the story to light the torch and grab a pitchfork. the facts, as presented, paint a pretty bad picture for the guy, but i don't have context and context is key.

 

[Warmijwilf]

People don't want the truth, you know that

Regardless, Microsoft is still going to have to apologize for this even if this entire thing is off base. As for me, I react to the information I have and this is all we have right now.

I agree MS should apologise, purely out of professionalism, but I don't think they're to blame at all, and people using this to trash the Xbox One is just hilarious...

 

[inherendo]

I think MS shouldn't be blamed, but they should own up to what went down. Those employess should have known better.

 

[Azull]

Thought I should post this before Kotaku inevitably stealth-edits the article

http://kotaku.com/xbox-one-presenter-humiliated-me-on-stage-says-transge-1421596988

Oh Kotaku, at least they didn't use "it". And that's the real issue.

Oh loltaku...

Who needs editing amirite guys?

 

[ipukespiders]

DON'T READ THE COMMENTS

Not all of the comments are shitty.

 

[Amalthea]

Pump your brakes. Let's not take it too far. A witch hunt benefits nobody.

Tell that transgendered who are constantly harassed (sometimes violently), because that's a true witch-hunt.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

Did she really just tweet her phone number, uh oh.

 

[Deleted member 10571]

Oh loltaku...

Who needs editing amirite guys?

It's "confront him" as in "the manager". It's not that hard to see in context

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Oh loltaku...

Who needs editing amirite guys?

did you actually read what you quoted?

 

[KoopaTheCasual]

Yeah, a comedian isn't going to go call a gay person a "faggot" or a lesbian a "dike." Not unless they are a shitty comedian going for shock value. Anyone defending the comedian doesn't have a leg to stand on and should feel bad for even trying.

Indeed. And those are not even as bad as referring to someone as non-human. The people, who relate this to fat jokes have zero perspective about this. Calling an overweight person "fat" is rude, but it's actually loosely based on facts. Calling a trans individual being an "it" casts aside their humanity, and reduces them to something they are not at all. The situations are not parallel at all. It's not fucking hard, guys.

 

[inherendo]

The 'him' in that line is referring to the presenter.

This is a pet peeve of mine in any writing. If the pronoun used is ambiguous, rewrite it, or use a name.

 

[mr teaspoon]

Technically, this journalist is a man, so saying that you're offended by being called one is pretty ridiculous.

Nope. Sorry, no.

It's totally reasonable to wonder about the context of the situation and suggest that the comedian probably didn't mean to be rude or hateful. Maybe the comedian truly didn't know the gender of the journalist and it was an honest mistake.

But what you said does not hold up and shows that you haven't even tried to put yourself in the shoes of a transgendered person. The whole point is that they identify with the opposite gender, to say 'psh, I don't see the big deal, it IS a guy' is like....I don't even know. Doesn't mean you have to be on the side of the transgendered journalist in this situation, just means you're really missing the point with that remark.

 

[Evil Monkey DTT]

Ok he's insensitive and dumb but hardly a monster lol.

I disagree, the line "we need a woman on stage, any women here" and doing this publicly on stage.... to me that crosses monster level.

 

[Warmijwilf]

Alright then how about this.

Calling someone a "thing" is never justified or excusable.

ok, except we don't know she WAS called a thing. We just knew she took it that way. She could've misheard or the person was talking about something in-game: I was at Eurogamer and the same dude was using "it" and "this thing" to refer to avatars.

people are just assuming when we don't' have all the facts.

 

[SolidChamp]

aaand she just put her phone number out there. This will end well.

Saw that on her twitter. I don't even...

 

[Cryoflar3]

They allowed that shit to go down. Extreme? They should be punished in some way. They knew it was wrong as soon as the lady asked for their names and they refused to give her them. If you do something wrong at work, they aren't going to ignore it. There has to some kind of consequence for your actions. Depending on how big this gets, I don't expect them to go unscathed.

No company wants to offend a group of people unless they are willing to take the bad pr and I don't think MS will allow this to slide since they are in WA state.

They should punish the offending individual not the entire staff. Just because they were on duty at the moment doesn't mean they could control what was going to come out of the speakers mouth. The presenter was the one who said what he said so he should be the one in trouble not the entire staff. At worst everyone should get a stern talking to so it doesn't happen again.

 

[redcrayon]

So... Im gonna say this probably didnt have anything to do with gender. Mainly cause I just dont think anyone is that stupid to cause that much controversy.

He probably referred to her as 'it' because he thought she was some weird otaku person. Hes a comedian.

Honestly, I think that's probably quite likely, but it still doesn't make it a good plan to refer to either transgender people OR weird otaku people as 'it' in front of a room full of people, nor it is good for PR workers to weasel it by using the bullshit 'I'm sorry you're offended' rather than the actual commonly understood, all-purpose genuine apology of 'sorry'.

 

[mollipen]

Oh joy, I just love waking up to things like this.

First, my heart goes out to Laura. Seeing some of the stuff I've seen in this industry, I'm often surprised that anyone that's female or LGBT actually stays in it. That isn't to say there aren't some wonderful people, because there are, but it can also be a horribly offensive place.

I think it's good to tell Microsoft what happened that wasn't okay, but not right to crucify them. I doubt they expected this, and while they SHOULD have handled it better at the event when it happened, I also know full well how things like this can happen due to how chaotic live events can be. Hell, people can't even get proper set-ups for schedule appointments at smaller events, so not having the right people on-hand to deal with an event like this occurring doesn't shock me.

As for the comedian, I want to hear for sure that we know the right person (maybe that's been confirmed and I've not read it yet), but if it is, fuck him. Publicly shame him. I'm tired of the idea that people can pull shit like this and not receive any fallout over it. If he's going to get on stage and say something, he should be ready to answer for those words if they come back to bite him in the ass, and I've seen too many attacks on people who are trans to have much tolerance for it (beyond what is actual, unintended ignorance).