Harassment of players (LGBT)

[Perditioner]

Has anyone else had issues with being harassed by other players using the in-game report system? Since the GM's refuse to discuss, who, what and why they were reported the system can be, and is, used to harass players by reporting players they don't like.

This seems like a major oversight in the system which is allowing people to harass people, many of my friends have been falsely reported recently leading to them being banned. Surely the GMs need to check that the person reporting is the target of what is being said, which they don't seem to be at the moment. Also do they not check for the same user repeatedly reporting people?

What is everyone's thoughts on this?

[MicahZerrshia]

From what I have seen in the past 15 years is that when they choose to actually do something either they ban for the silliest of things (like minor swears) or they bring the hammer down hard and quick on the things that need it. But that being said, if a lot of your friends are getting banned, they are likely not as innocent as they are making themselves out to be.

As a gay man myself, I see a lot of lgbt players that deserve bans for the way they handle any homo/transphobia directed at them or those around them. Just because you are right, doesn't mean you are acting or responding correctly to a situation and we should be able to call out and report bad behaviour even when its from ppl who are responding to bad behavior. Be an adult, handle a situation well and no need to worry about SE banning you. However, throwing a tantrum like a child or being nasty right back is grounds for a ban, and should be. Being part of our community does not make you exempt from reprocussions if you do not know how to handle yourself well in the face of adversity.

[Perditioner]

Minor swears is not harassment, waiting around a community for someone to say a minor swear then reporting them maliciously is.

[MicahZerrshia]

Minor swears is not harassment, waiting around a community for someone to say a minor swear then reporting them maliciously is.

If you don't want the potential of getting a ban, don't use minor swears or any other language that will get you banned, it really isn't that difficult. I swear like a sailor on shore leave irl, but my language in game, even around friends, is squeaky clean.

But since you said "many of your friends" are getting banned, well I do not think your pals are as innocent as they are making themselves out to be since the minor swears thing is one of those weird outliers that do not happen often. And frankly, something that may not be offensive to you, may be to someone else, even within the same community. For instance, irl I use the f word a lot to describe myself and my friends, who do the same. To us it's like the n word, its ok for us within the community to use it, but used by others it is racist and derogatory. However, my husband gets highly offended by it, even from myself or other gays and will report it. Therefore I only use that word around my friends who are of the same mindset and would never even think to say it in game or even irl if I do not know how someone feels about it. I know I see a lot of behaviour from ppl in this game, even from our community, that makes me cringe. Just because we are part of the lgbt community, does not mean we all have the same views on what is acceptable.

So, while you may have someone being malicious, you may also have others in our community that just have different views on what is acceptable, which is ok. The main takeaway you should get from this though, is there are rules on how to act in public spaces and if you wish to act or talk differently, you need to be in a more closed group where everyone is on the same page.

[SalamanderIX]

The GM's do seem to air on lighter touch when it comes to social stuff. But if anybody calls you anything remotely upsetting dungeon or other duty, they'll be suspended so fast.

[Perditioner]

Its many because we are being targeted. Don't diminish my friends from your experience.

[MicahZerrshia]

Its many because we are being targeted. Don't diminish my friends from your experience.

I'm not. I am simply questioning your story and logic because of how vague it is. Multiple ppl from a single group don't get banned for being polite and considerate of others in public spaces with clearly defined behavioural rules. Esp considering this is not a widespread problem, which it would be if your group was as innocent as you say.

And are you being targeted or are you just breezing over everything I said? Cause someone just like my husband may be part of your group so it may not even be malicious. Don't make accusations off of feelings. And don't ask for ppl's thoughts on a subject if you are going to get mad when someone questions your own role in what happened. If you want an echo chamber, there are plenty of them out there.

[brinn12]

I don't like the fact that there is no discussion with GMs, but how can you possibly defend that your friends are innocent, when the GM isn't saying anything? You seem to be making a lot of conclusions for cases when there should be no information

[Perditioner]

I was with the person who last got banned, in voice chat. I know what they said in say. Yes they said a naughty word in an adult game, but why him specifically targeted and not others who also said naughty words, including me?

[MicahZerrshia]

I was with the person who last got banned, in voice chat. I know what they said in say. Yes they said a naughty word in an adult game, but why him specifically targeted and not others who also said naughty words, including me?

To me that sounds like a personal beef. And it also sounds like someone not in the lgbt community maybe seeing things that may not be there.

Listen, we face a lot of slander, violence and abuse on a regular basis. The stories I can tell about my experiences with violence and hatred blow most of my straight friends minds. But let us fight our own battles. You can be supportive and fight alongside us, but it is still not your fight. If a lot of members of the lgbt community are getting banned, let us call it out and then stand beside us. It is not your place, however, to just grab the megaphone and start yelling. Activists within a community that are not actually part of the community, from my experience, usually cause us the most problems for us.

Play a support role, but do not tank.