Frustrating relative lack of LGBT NPCs in this game

[MilitaryVet123]

FF14 is a wonderful game. It's beautiful, the gameplay is fluid, the lore rich, and the graphics stunning, especially in the Azim Steppe.

Part of the reason why it's so wonderful is because it is possible to fully immerse yourself in this game. Characters all have a backstory, many NPCs are fleshed out, have their own personality, and you really feel like Eorzea is a place you can live in.

However, the lack of representation of LGBT characters in this game is frustrating for a billion-dollar video gaming company. While I applaud SE for allowing the Eternal Bonding to take place between two people of the same gender, there is not much else in this game that represents LGBT characters, other than a token gay couple in Upper La Noscea.

Some people will also bring up characters like Alphinaud (weird) or Haurchefant, and say they're "WOL-sexual". But you know that they're not actually designed as gay characters. They just happened to be perceived as LGBT because of the fandom.

Many other RPGs are already fully embracing the need to represent minorities in their game, because minority representation is an important issue that affects the psychological development of minority youth.

I hope to see Square Enix do more to represent LGBT characters in their game, because by doing so they'll let LGBT youth feel like they have a place in Eorzea and feel welcomed.

I know some people will think I'm joking, but I'm not. As a LGBT PoC myself, I am deeply invested in this issue.

[PeachShampoo]

I'm a Transgender Girl myself and identify with LGB+ (not just T) and I can agree with this post!

There are very good LGBT couples in this game (though they make it very natural and don't really flat out yell it) don't get me wrong.

But I agree with this because though I know how many LGBT characters there are, it does feel like very little, and then some people don't quite catch that they're LGBT! Good part of this can be because they're also not key to the story or any major side stories which can be a bit of a let down for us LGBT+ folk.

I also won't spoil it, but I think there is an LGBT character blooming from the most recent patch *eyes*

[MilitaryVet123]

I'm a Transgender Girl myself and identify with LGB+ (not just T) and I can agree with this post!

There are very good LGBT couples in this game (though they make it very natural and don't really flat out yell it) don't get me wrong.

But I agree with this because though I know how many LGBT characters there are, it does feel like very little, and then some people don't quite catch that they're LGBT! Good part of this can be because they're also not key to the story or any major side stories which can be a bit of a let down for us LGBT+ folk.

I also won't spoil it, but I think there is an LGBT character blooming from the most recent patch *eyes*

Yeah, but he's WOL-sexual, which means if you play a female character he's no longer LGBT (because in your universe, you were always female).

[MPK]

How do you know that? Are you just assuming every NPC is straight? Just because they're not flamboyant?

Edit: Emet Selch was probably 101% gay.

[Jin-]

So your sexuality makes your character and not the person? Is this just an another political tick box check request?
I'm fine with a homosexual character but it has to be character first and sexuality later. Not like most Western games do it. Soulless characters with the only purpose to tick that check box.

[Gemina]

NPCs in the game don't need a giant banner saying whether they are LGBT. I am not quite sure why people these days obsess over a sexual orientation that has next to nothing to do with the game. The game isn't a pride event, nor are they obligated to represent a minority. The vast majority of NPCs the WoL interacts with are neutral considering the WoL can be male or female. Very few characters are like Thancred, whose orientation is very clear. Just let your imagination run wild.

[KDSilver]

I would have gladly dig in into the debate and believed you if you weren't purposefully creating thread to start mini-war on forums on touchy topics, and if you weren't that troll wandering around :

https://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes...549970/member/
https://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes...075027/member/

If you like wasting your time on such things, I don't care.
But I don't want the LGBT community taking another internet backlash because of somehow who obviously doesn't even care or really feel concerned.

You may find it fun, I don't.

[NanaWiloh]

[Edax]

I hope to see Square Enix do more to represent LGBT characters in their game, because by doing so they'll let LGBT youth feel like they have a place in Eorzea and feel welcomed.

Why are you assuming they're not welcome?

[LaughingBanana]

Im surprised to see such a seemingly innocent request from a minority is being given "Oh not this shit again" by some in here.

I mean, does an inclusion of an LGBT character hurt anyone? Does the TC actually requested said character to hold the big "I AM GAY" banner with flashing siren as he or she is introduced? No? So why the seeming hostility towards the idea? Is it one of those "please don't politicize my game" sentiment?

I think a minority representation in something extremely popular like FFXIV is always gonna be a positive thing, and there's no need to reject the idea or to push it back due to some silly notion that it will "ruin" the game or anything like that, it's not going to hurt anyone or anything.