Xbox Live is so gay (and bi, lesbian and transgender too) @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on March 05, 2010

News: Microsoft updates their Code of Conduct to allow gamers to describe themselves as gay.

Marc Whitten, the General Manager of Xbox Live, has posted a new letter to the community describing a change in the Xbox Live Code of Conduct. As of today, Xbox 360 owners will be able to describe themselves as straight, gay or bi in their Live profile or Gamertag.

Honestly, it's about damn time.

Here's the relevant addition to the Code of Conduct that reverses Microsoft's previous policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell on Xbox Live:

What you can do

You may use the following terms to express your relationship orientation in your profile or Gamertag:

Lesbian
Gay
Bi
Transgender
Straight

Other terms regarding relationship orientation are not allowed. In addition you may not use these terms or any other terms regarding relationship orientation to insult, harass, or any other pejorative use against other users.

The new policy ends a year-long battle between Microsoft and "gay gamers" over what is considered an appropriate Gamertag. While it's great that the Xbox Live team has finally come to their senses, its baffling that it took this long considering there are Xbox 360 games available with the word "gay" in the title (Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony) and others where players can enter into a same-sex relationship (Mass Effect).

We'll have more soon.