Same Sex Marriage

[Mihana]

I realize subscriptions are important, I really do. But as yoshida himself has said in interviews many times, he's mentioned the 3 pillars of graphics, storyline, and gameplay, with a strong community to top off those 3 pillars. If same-sex marriage isn't allowed, how can we have a strong community when a portion of it is ostracized due to antiquated moral beliefs?

Just look at the unofficial marriage poll thread. 97 likes for it and going up much faster than the 17 likes against it. That's 17% of the people playing who don't want it. Now, consider the fact that rough estimates place homosexuals/bisexuals around 10% of the general population. Now add on top of the fact that gamers in general are younger and tend to be more progressive. Add in another fact that other people who aren't gay are for it because they play the opposite gender on their character. (seriously, my linkshell alone has dozens.) I would say that if thats any indication, they would actually make a substantial gain in subscriptions by allowing same-sex marriages, and stick to their commitment to having a strong community as well.

Those are just on our side and don't account for the entire player-base. If enough feel strongly about it then I have a suggestion:

Try finding people who are both fluent in English and different languages to make a petition on each language forum. Get as many votes as you can to hopefully influence the development team into holding a poll on it to see how people feel about same-sex marriages. There's bound to be another poll eventually around the release if not before or after 2.0 that they'll want feedback on. If you can rally enough support for it to be added and show the player-base really wants it then that may be enough to change their minds.

But as it stands now just ranting about why they should add it won't actually get it done. Like the response said it's a very touchy subject so they're not sure about implementing it. They're considering it so that's a start, just rally enough support to turn it into a reality.

[EnkiOro]

I honestly can't believe some of you believe that if same-sex marriage is allowed, people will cancel their subscription. You can't seriously believe people will care that much.

I'm gay, and I met my husband in FFXI. Now I moved in with him from Spain to Norway, and I'm looking forward to enjoy FFXIV with him. I really hope we can get married, since we couldn't in FFXI. Honestly, it's a silly gesture but it's a cute moment for the couple, both IRL and in-game. I don't see how someone can have an issue with someone else's happiness, and I don't give two cents what other players will think about my sexuality or my engagement and commitment to my partner in life. My friends don't care, and that's what it matters to me. It won't cause any disturbances because I don't play with bigots and intolerant people, be it about race, gender equality or sexual orientation issues.

If it is not introduced, I will be upset but like people that would be upset with the introduction to it in-game, I won't cancel my subscription. (Really, who would do that?)

[Psion]

Let's not forget that valentione's day let same sex couples pair up. I don't remember seeing any outrage over that, just a lot of people commenting on how nice it was they let gay couples show their affection as well. Why would same-sex marriages be any different?

[Vilhem]

I agree it's a very delicate situation from a business standpoint. Just look at all the backlash Chic-fil-a got because their CEO expressed his views (which I don't agree with).

Square Enix isn't in the business to promote this kind of thing; they make video games. And if they tread into the wrong shit, the negative impact from homophobes and religious fanatics crying over same-sex marriage in a game could cost a lot of people at SE their jobs, and further bury XIV in the negativity shit hole it's been trying to shed for the past 2 years.

I support the implementation of same-sex marriage all the way, but I also support the company's decision to treat this carefully. Here's to hoping we will see it added in the future.

[Reika]

I agree it's a very delicate situation from a business standpoint. Just look at all the backlash Chic-fil-a got because their CEO expressed his views (which I don't agree with).

Square Enix isn't in the business to promote this kind of thing; they make video games. And if they tread into the wrong shit, the negative impact from homophobes and religious fanatics crying over same-sex marriage in a game could cost a lot of people at SE their jobs, and further bury XIV in the negativity shit hole it's been trying to shed for the past 2 years.

I support the implementation of same-sex marriage all the way, but I also support the company's decision to treat this carefully. Here's to hoping we will see it added in the future.

I don't think allowing it is the same as promoting it. Putting "We encourage gay marriage" on their game box or websites would be promoting it. They simply need to add in the possibility without a word.

[rina_inverse]

(Really, who would do that?)

Just in case someone really do it, IMO it better that SE avoid this issue

Let's not forget that valentione's day let same sex couples pair up. I don't remember seeing any outrage over that, just a lot of people commenting on how nice it was they let gay couples show their affection as well. Why would same-sex marriages be any different?

I think it still different with marriage
FYI, I pick a cute male Elezen

[Psion]

I think you forgot to mention the stance chick-fil-a took, which was against gay marriages. Now doesn't that seem like it would be a bad idea to take the stance against, considering where that got them?

equal marriage rights aren't a dangerous trend to bet on. civil rights have always trended toward equality as a whole, worldwide. This isn't going to change, and in places like the US, it's hit the majority.

[Vilhem]

I don't think allowing it is the same as promoting it. Putting "We encourage gay marriage" on their game box or websites would be promoting it. They simply need to add in the possibility without a word.

Right they're not the same, but you know what happens when the media catches wind of a "scandalous" story. It gets blown way out of proportion and then it leads up to all this press etc.

People who don't play video games find it easy to scape goat them: oh my child is violent because he plays shooting games etc, even though shooter games don't necessarily promote violence. They would be quick to assume all kinds of insane crap with this too.

Basically I'm talking about the soccer moms and the politicians that would use this kind of stuff as ammo for their own agendas.

And then there's the other countries with different religious beliefs (the Middle East and even in Japan). I'm not an expert in their culture, but I'd assume it's not readily accepted either.

[Reika]

I think you forgot to mention the stance chick-fil-a took, which was against gay marriages. Now doesn't that seem like it would be a bad idea to take the stance against, considering where that got them?

equal marriage rights aren't a dangerous trend to bet on. civil rights have always trended toward equality as a whole, worldwide. This isn't going to change, and in places like the US, it's hit the majority.

I don't watch the news a lot, but i remember someone sayin Chick-fil-a got backlash for being for gay marriages (people talking at work). I thought it was stupid for so many people to hate on them for that, but now it makes more sense for them to be backlashed now that i find they are actually against gay marriage.

I refuse to eat at chick-fil-a! (not that I ever ate there before)

But yea, if that is the case, it's its more likely that SE would get the backlash from not allowing it at the start as opposed to allowing it.

[charlemagne]

Discrimination is wrong. It really is as simple as that.