Is it necessary to advertise "LGBTQ+ friendly"

[MellowMink]

The amount of bigoted comments in these forums, such as the transphobic garbage that keeps appearing on a continuous basis via frequent trolling threads or misgendering replies, are a good example of how having explicitly inclusive spaces still matters a lot.

[Seraphor]

Some people don't want to take the chance. While everyone is required to not be discriminatory or harass others, they may join an FC where members still have an issue with them and express it in other non-overt ways.

[DamianFatale]

-snip-

I disagree, and I'm gonna be frank, but all of you are wrong for thinking this. If evidence can prove that someones actions in game are influenced outside of the game, and it proves malicious behavior, then they should be dealt with. I once had a stalker come in my apartment, and harass me every day. This was a crush that I liked, but it turned sour. The GMs could do nothing but tell me to lock my apartment, because he never said anything malicious in game. He just stood there, and if I locked my apartment he would stand outside.

Out of game he would tell me he was going sexually assault, and continue to harass me via discord, even find me IRL (he lived close by). Finally with proper emails, action was taken, because he was harassing me irl, in game, and on discord with malicious intent. I also had made a police report by then, because he did actually start to follow me IRL. I was afraid to do anything by myself, or date for awhile, because he would always harass me if I went out.

Context does matter, and out of game sometimes has to lead to bans. You can all disagree with me, and not like it, but some situations warrant it. There are no excuses for not taking action in a crisis when the evidence is clear and there. I get when legal tape, and what not is involved, because lets be honest, anything like this tends to take awhile to deal with, but GMS absolutely can gather evidence, and make an order not to be in contact with the person who is being harassed, then continue the investigation.

[Vav2021]

Kinda narrow-minded for some people here to think it's just a bunch of virtue signaling or that it's mostly gay people bringing the fact that they're gay all the time, and it's narrow-minded people that make it so FCs feel the need to advertise as LGBTQ+ friendly because, in our case with my FC personally, we try to avoid any drama. We want our small community to be a safe space and there's nothing wrong with wanting that. If there's an issue in the FC we discuss it before it blows up just so we don't have to deal with drama. There's people from all walks of life. I myself am trans and having to come out as trans in previous FCs/guilds sucks because you don't really know if people are accepting of that or not.

I refuse to disclose my preferences without being asked, but understand that I'm definitely not straight. I have FC hopped for a long time, and I have seldom had the issues that folks are talking about. All FCs have been very friendly to me, and most knew of my leanings. Under no circumstances did I bring attention to what I am (I refuse to be defined by my sexuality), and I was mostly accepted by the majority of FCs I had joined. And the honest truth is that across the board, nobody has to accept me, they just have to tolerate me, and if they don't like me for my sexuality or the way I play, that's their right. But through my rather conservative measures of keeping my orientation close to myself, I was treated very well by people you wouldn't expect, and the folks that treated me like garbage are people you wouldn't expect.

I don't know if i'm just lucky, or if I'm doing something right, but I have never had these problems.

[Reimmi]

I don't understand, do people go around talking about their sexuality in a fc?
Not trying to be offensive here. just wondering how it comes up in chat that someone would be lgbt, unless the fc is making sexist remarks and it makes someone uncomfortable, (understandably) i suppose?

[SeverianLyonesse]

Some FCs and venues are queerer than others. And they can advertise as such.

I don't see this as other players being discriminatory so much as certain groups highlighting aspects that they prioritize.

All bars are supposed to be technically queer-friendly. That doesn't mean us queers want gay bars to stop existing...and as long as the gay bars don't exclude anyone else it's great for us to have a space to more easily interact with our community.

[Wilford111]

The amount of bigoted comments in these forums, such as the transphobic garbage that keeps appearing on a continuous basis via frequent trolling threads or misgendering replies, are a good example of how having explicitly inclusive spaces still matters a lot.

I don't see any bigotry happening in here. Recognize having a problem with someone's dumb ideas and mannerisms rather than having a problem with their identity.

[Cyd3l]

I refuse to disclose my preferences without being asked, but understand that I'm definitely not straight. I have FC hopped for a long time, and I have seldom had the issues that folks are talking about. All FCs have been very friendly to me, and most knew of my leanings. Under no circumstances did I bring attention to what I am (I refuse to be defined by my sexuality), and I was mostly accepted by the majority of FCs I had joined. And the honest truth is that across the board, nobody has to accept me, they just have to tolerate me, and if they don't like me for my sexuality or the way I play, that's their right. But through my rather conservative measures of keeping my orientation close to myself, I was treated very well by people you wouldn't expect, and the folks that treated me like garbage are people you wouldn't expect.

I don't know if i'm just lucky, or if I'm doing something right, but I have never had these problems.

That's great that works for you. I doubt many are seeking to flaunt their orientation in anyones face. That doesn't mean it doesn't just come up in casual conversation. Something as simple as a guy saying "Hey afk one min guys, my BF / husband just got home." is a potential identifying marker that to me is just part of normal convo. Likewise specifically having to hide your orientation to avoid potential recourse isn't exactly a solution to me either. If being tolerated is enough for you, that's great. But some people definitely also want to feel welcome and an identifier like LGBTQ+ lets them know at least that being a member of that group isn't going to be abnormal in that FC. In addition as this entire thread shows, many people don't want to "hear about it." So if you're someone that feels they need to discuss it without making others feel uncomfortable, then again a FC stating they're LGBTQ+ friendly is probably a good place to start. The big question is why does it even bother people in the first place.

[Klytania]

And I understand that they punish for off-game behavior. as well, so treating people like garbage outside of the game is punishable.

I've always thought this was an insane premise. Also really only applies to content creators. But still, who do game devs think they are? Trying to police people outside of their product?

[Veranolth]

I don't understand, do people go around talking about their sexuality in a fc?
Not trying to be offensive here. just wondering how it comes up in chat that someone would be lgbt, unless the fc is making sexist remarks and it makes someone uncomfortable, (understandably) i suppose?

Personally we don't talk about that in FC chat.

I refuse to disclose my preferences without being asked, but understand that I'm definitely not straight. I have FC hopped for a long time, and I have seldom had the issues that folks are talking about. All FCs have been very friendly to me, and most knew of my leanings. Under no circumstances did I bring attention to what I am (I refuse to be defined by my sexuality), and I was mostly accepted by the majority of FCs I had joined. And the honest truth is that across the board, nobody has to accept me, they just have to tolerate me, and if they don't like me for my sexuality or the way I play, that's their right. But through my rather conservative measures of keeping my orientation close to myself, I was treated very well by people you wouldn't expect, and the folks that treated me like garbage are people you wouldn't expect.

I don't know if i'm just lucky, or if I'm doing something right, but I have never had these problems.

Same. I have been lucky and did not have issues with FCs/guilds, but this isn't true for everyone.