Goodbye everybody
Posted: Tue May 15, 2001 5:43 pm
I'm leaving the board, and like to say goodbye to all of you.
The background to this is stated in my 5th post (the one addressed to Buck) in the "I don't believe my eyes" thread.
I know the thread about being a gay gamer was not closed because of the member's sexual preferences. I know GB doesn't have a discriminating attitude toward anyone. If the thread has not been closed, offensive, prejudiced and outright unacceptable replies had been posted. None of us would have wanted to see that.
I'm not saying closing the thread was the wrong decision, I'm sure it was the right decision for the majority of the members here, including the 2 gay gamers that had posted. I'm very happy Lee seems satisfied with the solution, and have continued to post here. I'm also happy to see many people have welcomed him.
BUT
My personal opinion still differs.
Freedom of speech has its price, like all freedom.
By closing the thread, inevitable insults and flames were avoided. But the price in this case, is that gay gamers aren't allowed to discuss the game freely under the same condition as straight gamers. To me, that is discrimination in effect, even if the reasons for these conditions are not meant to be discriminating.
Heterosexual romances can be discussed in detail with explicit sexual and sexist remarks from both genders. Lesbian romance in BG2 (possible with the romance patch) can be discussed. But discussion from a gay perspective by a member who states he is gay, was not allowed since homophobic users posted offensive material in response.
As I see it, this is letting intolerant and prejudiced people influence the board too much, as they have the power to get a topic closed just by behaving badly.
This is not a moral standard I can accept, and since I'm at this board by free will and just to enjoy myself, I will now take my leave.
@Buck, Flagg and the other moderators: I think you do a great job in keeping this board such a good place. I know it's certainly not your job to protect different minority groups in society from discrimination, it's your job to protect Gamebanshee and its users from flame wars, insults and generally unpleasant experience. This job, I think you are performing excellently. I certainly agree with you that keeping GB a nice place for as many members as possible, should be the ultimate priority. I just don?t agree with the methods you used, and consequences of that chosen strategy.
Thank all of you for making this great board what it is.
Should any of you feel like contacting me, I can be reached at c_elegans666@hotmail.com. I will also check back for PM:s in a few days.
Bye and happy gaming when ToB is released!
The background to this is stated in my 5th post (the one addressed to Buck) in the "I don't believe my eyes" thread.
I know the thread about being a gay gamer was not closed because of the member's sexual preferences. I know GB doesn't have a discriminating attitude toward anyone. If the thread has not been closed, offensive, prejudiced and outright unacceptable replies had been posted. None of us would have wanted to see that.
I'm not saying closing the thread was the wrong decision, I'm sure it was the right decision for the majority of the members here, including the 2 gay gamers that had posted. I'm very happy Lee seems satisfied with the solution, and have continued to post here. I'm also happy to see many people have welcomed him.
BUT
My personal opinion still differs.
Freedom of speech has its price, like all freedom.
By closing the thread, inevitable insults and flames were avoided. But the price in this case, is that gay gamers aren't allowed to discuss the game freely under the same condition as straight gamers. To me, that is discrimination in effect, even if the reasons for these conditions are not meant to be discriminating.
Heterosexual romances can be discussed in detail with explicit sexual and sexist remarks from both genders. Lesbian romance in BG2 (possible with the romance patch) can be discussed. But discussion from a gay perspective by a member who states he is gay, was not allowed since homophobic users posted offensive material in response.
As I see it, this is letting intolerant and prejudiced people influence the board too much, as they have the power to get a topic closed just by behaving badly.
This is not a moral standard I can accept, and since I'm at this board by free will and just to enjoy myself, I will now take my leave.
@Buck, Flagg and the other moderators: I think you do a great job in keeping this board such a good place. I know it's certainly not your job to protect different minority groups in society from discrimination, it's your job to protect Gamebanshee and its users from flame wars, insults and generally unpleasant experience. This job, I think you are performing excellently. I certainly agree with you that keeping GB a nice place for as many members as possible, should be the ultimate priority. I just don?t agree with the methods you used, and consequences of that chosen strategy.
Thank all of you for making this great board what it is.
Should any of you feel like contacting me, I can be reached at c_elegans666@hotmail.com. I will also check back for PM:s in a few days.
Bye and happy gaming when ToB is released!
