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GPFontaine
Joined: Dec 06 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 11244
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http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20015821-71.html
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So many people use humor to get through their days and their dreary jobs, but sometimes people aren't joking.
I am sure there is often juvenile tittering when neophytes pass through Intercourse, Penn. Perhaps the same occurs with Fort Gay, W. Va., home to a 26-year-old gamer named Josh Moore.
Moore apparently wanted to show his Fort Gay pride. Indeed, he listed "fort gay WV" as his location in his Xbox Live profile.
Unfortunately, the Associated Press reports that, ever alert for the japes of wrath, Microsoft suspended Moore for what it assumed was a rather crude and pejorative slur.
''At first I thought, 'Wow, somebody's thinking I live in the gayest town in West Virginia or something.' I was mad. It makes me feel like they hate gay people," he told the AP.
Moore, who is unemployed and plays shooters using the nametag Joshanboo, tried to explain to Microsoft that Fort Gay is a real place, with real people and a real ZIP code: 25514. However, the Microsoft representative was having none of the Fort Gay talk.
The representative reportedly threatened him with draconian cancellation unless he removed any trace of his Fort Gayness.
Yes, there's even a Pocahontas Street
(Credit: Screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk)
The mayor of Fort Gay got involved. WSAZ TV reported that Mayor David Thompson was told by Microsoft that it doesn't matter that the word "gay" is part of the city's name. It's a word that gets flagged. So there.
"I'm amazed that in this day and age they would flag the word 'gay,'" Thompson told WSAZ TV.
Perhaps you, too, aren't familiar with Fort Gay. It's around 800 strong and nestles as comfortably as it can on West Virginia's border with Kentucky. It's been around since 1789. And it's not even the only town in West Virginia that is adorned with the word "gay". Please bid a warm welcome to Mount Gay in Logan County and Gay in Jackson County.
I know that many of you will already be girding your fingers to write a heated e-mail of protest to Microsoft. Please withhold your enthusiasm.
The company has admitted that it erred. Stephen Toulouse, who enjoys the rather stern title of director of policy and enforcement for Xbox Live, told the AP: "Absolutely, a mistake was made here, and we've updated our training to account for that."
Fort Gay has been restored to the ramparts of Medal of Honor and Call of Duty. Moore will reportedly be receiving an apology and will be able to resume his battles across our great land with people of all political, sexual, and moral persuasions.
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This is the type of shenanigans I would expect from Blizzard, not Microsoft.
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Preng
Title: All right, that's cool!
Joined: Jan 11 2010
Location: Accounting Dept.
Posts: 1690
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If I recall correctly Microsoft also banned a dude whose legal name (which he also used for his gamertag) was Richard Gaywood.
Supposedly Microsoft is more forgiving nowadays with players mentioning their homosexuality in their bio, but this is just absurd since it was just a location. Hopefully not all Microsoft service hotline workers are as ignorant as this - I mean, there was a reasonable explanation and he refused to listen.
At least the mistake has been admitted.
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Syd Lexia
Site Admin
Title: Pop Culture Junkie
Joined: Jul 30 2005
Location: Wakefield, MA
Posts: 24886
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Oh, Microsoft. You so stupid.
Did they not realize their zero tolerance, incredibly reactionary policy to curb use of teenage perjoratives would backfire in serious ways?
Of course not.
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Blackout
Title: Captain Oblivious
Joined: Sep 01 2007
Location: That Rainy State
Posts: 10376
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Who's paying for his live account if he's unemployed?
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UsaSatsui
Title: The White Rabbit
Joined: May 25 2008
Location: Hiding
Posts: 7565
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I remember the NFL used to not let you get a "make your own jersey" with "Gay" on the back.
Fans of Randall Gay were annoyed.
True story.
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Syd Lexia
Site Admin
Title: Pop Culture Junkie
Joined: Jul 30 2005
Location: Wakefield, MA
Posts: 24886
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I bet you could have gotten Cocques-Sucre on the back of a jersey though.
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Andrew Man
Title: Is a Funklord
Joined: Jan 30 2007
Location: Annandale, VA
Posts: 5603
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FNJ
2010 SLF Tag Champ
Joined: Jun 07 2006
Posts: 12294
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whatever. I can deal with a few people living in fort gay or having last names like gaywood getting screwed if it curbs some of the "LOLOLOL UR GAY LMAO" shit.
I'm just glad I'm lucky enough to be born a Kowalsky that lives in Pine Bush, NY.
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The Opponent
Title: Forum Battle WINNER
Joined: Feb 24 2010
Location: The Danger Zone
Posts: 3495
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It's his fault for living in a town like that and not knowing better.
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 I'm not a bad enough dude, but I am an edgy little shit. I'll do what I can. |
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Andrew Man
Title: Is a Funklord
Joined: Jan 30 2007
Location: Annandale, VA
Posts: 5603
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| FNJ wrote: |
| I'm just glad I'm lucky enough to be born a Kowalsky that lives in Pine Bush, NY. |
Kowalsky is soo Jewish.
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My Muzaks! CHECK IT OUT!!!
http://www.facebook.com/hellodharmaband
3DS is very good, and Wii U!
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Pandajuice
Title: The Power of Grayskull
Joined: Oct 30 2008
Location: US and UK
Posts: 2649
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| FNJ wrote: |
I'm just glad I'm lucky enough to be born a Kowalsky that lives in Pine Bush, NY. |
You may be suspended someday for having the word "Bush" in your profile...
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FNJ
2010 SLF Tag Champ
Joined: Jun 07 2006
Posts: 12294
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Then I'll just remove it. It's no skin off my ass if somebody I play halo with can't see where I live.
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