Gamer: A label unto itself.

I'm sure you've all seen the recent news surrounding "Gaymercon"; the gaming convention for the homosexual community. If you haven't, I will now give you a brief summary of it. Gaymercon is currently a kickstarter project. It is a gaming convention designed specifically for gamers who are homosexual but, according to currently known information, is not excluding the participation of the heterosexual community.

As with all things that have a social background or impact, a gaming convention for homosexual gamers has gained all kinds of attention; both positive and negative. I will discuss, hopefully briefly though that isn't a certainty with my style of writing, both sides of the coin.

The Positive Attention: This is, largely, from the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) community who see this as a step forward for their rights and a venue for them to gather with people of common status, free of being subjected to heterosexual themes and any recriminations. In defending themselves against the negative views, they state that straight gamers (and people) can't know what it's like to be gay and thus can't understand why a convention like this is both progressive and necessary.

The Negative Attention: This, unfortunately, can be seen as coming from 2 sides. The one side is homophobic and hateful. The other side is only in the negative area because it isn't in the positive area. That is to say that it has nothing to do with homophobia, more about a different kind of logic. Many, and yes this includes myself, do not see any reason for such a convention to exist. The stance is that sexual orientation is irrelevant to being a gamer. What you do in bed has no impact on your games or your gaming skill or why you love to game. In defending themselves against those on the pro-convention side, they state that this convention is creating more divisions among people and fostering further segregation. It is now not a matter of being gay, it is a matter of being a gay gamer.

In the world we live in, we have far too many labels separating us. We create these divides and state that they exist so that they won't exist. It is a vicious paradox that seemingly has no end. Some say Gaymercon is a safe haven for the LGBT community to gather and discuss their favorite hobby. Others say that it promotes homosexuality as a difference that should be separated from the gaming community at large. This is a topic that will see no resolution.

I submit to you though that there should be no additional labels in the area of gamer. I say that "Gamer" is its own label. The only qualification to be a gamer is that you game regularly. Your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or breakfast choice have nothing to do with your ability to pick up a controller (or keyboard, phone, or tablet) and play your favorite game. When you're playing online, you'll win or lose based solely on your skill (unless someone is cheating) and not on any other aspect of your being. That label, the label of Gamer, should be the only one that matters. Girl Gamer, Guy Gamer, White Gamer, Black Gamer, Gay Gamer, Straight Gamer, they all have one thing in common. At the end of all of those labels is the word Gamer. Eliminate the other labels and exist solely as Gamers.

Anime conventions, sci-fi conventions, comic book conventions; all of these things have something in common. They aren't labelling the people who go to them as anything other than fans of the specific theme of the convention. There is no "Gay Anime Fans Convention" or "Asian Star Trek Fans convention." So the idea that a Gaymercon is necessary is pretty illogical. Games aren't a platform for fixing society, they are entertainment. Games shouldn't be used to further an agenda, they are for fun.

Just be a gamer. It doesn't matter if you're gay or straight, black or white, short or tall, fat or thin. You're a gamer, that's all that matters. If you're going to separate yourself from the rest of us, don't get upset when it works against you.

Happy Gaming my fellow Gamers. I think this issue should be an eye opener to developers/publishers to release games in the summer so that we don't have so much time on our hands.

[SilentNegotiator]

I just think that the two labels together for a convention is silly. I'm not saying they can't, I'm not saying it's discriminatory, I'm not saying they aren't allowed.

But I am saying that "gamer" and "homosexual" have no immediate connection what-so-ever. It's no more a "sub-category" than race, gender, eye color, bra size, height, weight, etc.

So, yes, I wholly agree with your blog.

[Christopher]

Regarding the necessity:

I really don't see why it's a problem that the Con exists. If you don't want to attend, then don't attend. If you don't see the point, don't attend. Why you would argue and debate over the purpose of it seems like you are wasting more time talking about something you have absolutely no care over rather than just letting people enjoy what they want to enjoy.

---

Regarding "labels":

It's easy to talk about labels being a barrier when there is no barrier to the individual making that statement. In an ideal world, we'd all recognize one another as equals. We'd never say "I have a black friend, so..." And we'd always know that when someone makes a joke that there's nothing racial about it.

We don't live in that world. We live in the real world where people are racially profiled. Jokes are made about black people taking over basketball and football because "that's what they're good at." Jokes are made about gays being neat and stylish "because they all do that."

Furthermore, we live in a world where people find it okay to spew words. Words I can't type here because it's against the ToU. But, you know them. One begins with 'F' and ends with 'T' and the other begins with 'N' and ends with 'R'. You can throw in the word 'sand' before one to make it another racial slur, and this happens a ton. And people who play games deal with this on a daily basis because the world hasn't learned that saying something on the Internet like this isn't okay. The Internet doesn't suddenly release you from following common decency and respecting other races.

So, a white person who sits on XBL and gets called these names but isn't either gay or black or middle eastern or whatnot? Yeah, it's easy for you to sit there and brush it off. It's just an idiot on the Internet. But, if you are that, if you are gay or black, to hear someone say it so casually and in a derogatory manner? That's gotta hurt. It's gotta tell you that no matter what someone on N4G says in a well-written blog about us "having too many labels" and "being divided" that hiding away your religion, sexual orientation, race, and similar things isn't going to prevent those labels from disappearing. White people are calling other white people racially insensitive and derogatory names as if it's acceptable.

So, yeah, the ideal world of there being no labels? Awesome. The real world we live in? Not so awesome.

---

Regarding it being illogical:

If this is our biggest concern, I would say it would be more logical to continue educating and teaching others to be acceptable to the differences of others and treating them as equals as well as continuing to respect them by the words we chose to use in our daily life and gaming life than to waste time worrying over a convention we have no interest in in the first place.

---

Regarding the following bit from you post: "don't get upset when it works against you"

Truly a progressive statement to make. Essentially, don't get upset when people deride you for your choice even though you made the decision to start this convention because you've already been derided for your choice and wanted to come together with others of like minds and choices in life. Truly progressive.

[DragonKnight]

First, I'll say that you are pretty overly defensive on this subject. You are acting as though there is an attack when there is no homophobia or slurs of any kind in this blog or indeed in most of the opinions I have seen in regard to this convention. At least on this site. Whether or not I will attend or want to attend is irrelevant, as irrelevant as sexual orientation is to gaming. My attendance will not make the convention happen or not happen, nor will it make the topic disappear. What world do you live in where that actually matters in having the right to discuss the topic? If you would have noticed the overall theme of my blog, it is about labels more than it is about the actual convention. The convention is just a convenient topic to frame my blog around. Maybe you need to lighten up.

2. Get off the soapbox. This isn't a racial rights rally nor is it a Pride Parade. Race and sexual orientation have nothing to do with gaming. Also, what do you know about me? Your first paragraph implies that you think I'm a straight white male. While that is the case, you know nothing about me yet framed your response around that assumption. You don't know anything about any challenges I may have faced in life yet you assume you can label me and categorize me and thus dismiss my opinion as the result of the assumption you came up with. Is that progressive thinking? Your third paragraph suggests that society should be responsible for people's feelings. Yes, it is awful that internet anonymity causes such slurs and statements to be made, there is no argument there. But that is the world we willingly enter every day when we game or interact in such a world. If you can't be mature enough to know that there are morons in the world who will say anything because they know they can and get away with it, then the most sensible and helpful thing you can do for YOURSELF is to understand that and not let it bother you. If you as a person don't have the personal strength to do that, that's unfortunate but it also does not entitle you to the right to get up on that soapbox and make everyone else feel bad or awkward about it. You can't say that I do that anymore than I can say you do that. So again, it is awful that it exists, but that is a social problem that carries over into one aspect of the gaming medium, it is NOT the entirety of it. Gaymercon is saying there's a difference between gay and non-gay gamers. Where can you say that that is a good thing? And despite your farce of a list, there are no straight gamer conventions. There are only conventions. Where everyone is the same and only you create your own problems about them.

As for the logic, what you said is irrelevant. Again, gaming isn't a platform of social change and shouldn't be used as such. As I have stated ad infinitum, there is only one qualification for being a gamer, and that's that you game. Everything else is I.R.R.E.L.E.V.A.N.T. Your life's struggles don't matter in the gaming arena because you already are equal to everyone else there. If anything, gaming is the area of equality you are talking about. But attaching the labels will distance it from that.

Way to take my statement in your own context when you know what the original intent was. If you actively seek out to make yourself different by attaching labels to things that shouldn't have them, then you are responsible for accepting the consequences and reactions to that action. Just because you can't control what people say and do doesn't mean you can't be prudent and prevent reactions you don't want. If equality is the end road, segregation is a road block. Stop assuming you know people and ask yourself why you're so pissed off about something that in all likelihood doesn't affect you either.

[Christopher]

I'm overly defensive, but you're not overly aggressive considering you made a blog post about something you don't actually care about/find worthwhile?

Look, I'm just replying as I see fit. If you don't like people replying to your blog post in like, then don't write blogs. Easy as that.

***This isn't a racial rights rally nor is it a Pride Parade. Race and sexual orientation have nothing to do with gaming.***

That's one person's opinion.

I believe race and sex have a lot to do with how people are perceived in general. Gaming is becoming such a large form of entertainment, much like TVs and Movies, that race, sexuality, and similar tones will become something that people care about. How races are portrayed, how sex is portrayed, and so on will matter.

That's just another person's opinion.

Don't go stating opinions as facts.

***Also, what do you know about me? Your first paragraph implies that you think I'm a straight white male. While that is the case, you know nothing about me yet framed your response around that assumption.***

There is some assumption, I will give you that. But, I left it out of it as whole. I didn't make it a part of my argument.

Can you point out where I said, specifically, that you are a white male?

***Your life's struggles don't matter in the gaming arena because you already are equal to everyone else there.***

Equal in a gaming match, sure. Equal in the gaming community? I disagree.

A straight person has absolutely no problems starting things like this:

http://forums.n4g.com/Strai...

http://forums.n4g.com/cars-...

How do you think many in the community would feel if a gay man joined in posting half-nude pics of men?

This isn't just about playing games, it's about the community that gaming has evolved into.

***Way to take my statement in your own context when you know what the original intent was.***

I took it as I understood it. You don't find race or sex to be at all important to the "gaming" community. You find it has no bearing. I disagree and I explain that it's easy to have that view point when it doesn't affect you.

[Christopher]

***If you actively seek out to make yourself different by attaching labels to things that shouldn't have them, then you are responsible for accepting the consequences and reactions to that action.***

Seek out to make yourself different as opposed to actually being different.

It's kind of hard for some people to understand the huge difference here when they aren't different. But that doesn't mean that people who are different are either looking to be treated poorly or should be treated as such.

People want equality and that oftentimes requires that people understand that not everyone is like them and their buddies. That doesn't mean because they are different and they show it that they should be treated poorly.

And, your statement is a poor one considering you don't do anything to say that but instead say that if you do act differently then they should accept being treated poorly.

As I said, a very progressive statement to make.

***Stop assuming you know people and ask yourself why you're so pissed off about something that in all likelihood doesn't affect you either.***

I'm not pissed about anything. If you are perceiving anger, it's all in your head. You should note that as I believe you have a much stronger attachment to defending your side of the argument than I do of expressing my opinion.

[DragonKnight]

1. Not at all. There was no aggression in my blog, but there was definitely aggression in your first response. The entire tone of it was a stance of defense against an attack, an attack that didn't exist. You chose to see my blog in a certain way, that's your prerogative but it isn't an accurate representation of my blog.

2. No, it's not an opinion. Gaming is not a racial rights rally or a pride parade. That's fact, not opinion. Your beliefs are irrelevant as they have no bearing on the ability to game or be a gamer. If people choose to have certain perceptions and attach those beliefs to their hobbies, that's their choice but again isn't an accurate descriptor of the hobby. You choose to be upset about how, say, a person acts in a game. The game is only trying to be an avenue of entertainment, not social commentary.

3. No I can't point it out because I never said you specifically stated I was a straight white male. Re-read my statement and you'll see the word "implies" in there.

4. So now you're going to split hairs and try to claim levels of equality? Social problems exist all across the internet. Go to a music forum and you'll eventually come across a thread labelled "sexiest rock singers" or something like that. That isn't a commentary about the medium, it is a commentary on the immaturity of people. You're trying to attach social issues to the gaming community but the problems exist independent of the community. Threads like that are seen coming from miles away, and just as you tried to say that if I'm not going to attend the convention why am I talking about it, if that gay gamer doesn't like seeing those images why is he looking? There are times where you have to be proactive in avoiding things that make you uncomfortable, and that applies to both sides of the fence. Because the way things are going now it will reach a point where either people will have the maturity to just accept that people will say what they want, or everything will have to go through an approval process to make sure it isn't offensive to some group no matter how big or small it may be.

5. If that's how you understood it, then you understood it incorrectly. But I'm not going to explain further as I'm not interested in doing so.

6. I never said you have to accept being treated poorly, I said that if you purposely label yourself as being different (and pay actual attention to that instead of applying your own context to it) then you have to acknowledge that you are going to have consequences to deal with. If I waived any part of my life in your face, you would be within your rights to say something about it and I would have to accept the fact that had I not done so, you likely would not have anything to say to me.

And finally, it's very fortunate for both you and I that I only have 2 bubbles. You have turned this discussion into a straights vs. gays argument that it was never supposed to be and I wasted my bubbles replying to such nonsense. If you think that labels will be a good thing and a solution, then I can't wait for the day when the proverbial sh*t hits the fan and a big "I told you so" can be written all over the sky. I won't have to say it though because I have no intention on replying to you any further on this topic since you are intent on approaching it as an attack.

[Christopher]

***but there was definitely aggression in your first response***

Again, you are perceiving aggression where there isn't any. At no point did I attack you. Sure, I made a bit of a snide comment about being "very progressive" but that was it. I would say that your comment was just as harsh as mine was snide, though.

***Gaming is not a racial rights rally or a pride parade. That's fact, not opinion. ***

Neither is GaymerCon. It's a convention for like-minded people in the gaming community. It's not just people who get together to game next to each other. It's about the community.

Do you think people go to PAX just to play games or do they go for the events and to meet others? That's part of the community and how people are represented and what is discussed comes in a wide variety of tones than just "gamer".

*** That isn't a commentary about the medium, it is a commentary on the immaturity of people.***

Exactly. And that is also a comment about the community of people who make up that community.

This isn't about playing just games. It's about the gaming community as a whole. This is about more than the latest CoD session. It's about the gamers. And those gamers are different and some of them wish to share their favorite form of entertainment with similar people rather than taking the chance of being ostracized and derided for sharing it with other people in gaming communities like N4G or IGN.

[Christopher]

***I never said you have to accept being treated poorly, I said that if you purposely label yourself as being different (and pay actual attention to that instead of applying your own context to it) then you have to acknowledge that you are going to have consequences to deal with.***

Yeah, I'm still not getting it.

If a black man says he's black, he should accept that others in the community will not like him because he's black.

If a gay man says he's gay, he should accept that others in the community will not like him because he's gay.

But, if a man says he's white and straight, nothing will happen.

As I said, very progressive line of thought and a great way to uphold "equal rights" in regards to people being treated equally regardless of their differences.

My point is, you are saying to expect the worse rather than saying that it shouldn't happen and that, regardless of the ignorant people out there, they should not feel bad about sharing their differences.

You see, sure, you could mean to only say that if they share a bit about themselves that makes them different they may get treated differently and also mean that you think that's wrong. But you didn't say that, you just said if they act differently they will be treated differently.

It reminds me of this time I went to Gettysburg for a day and they were having side walk flea markets. I parked in one spot and the guy said that he rented this spot. I asked if he rented the parking spot as well and he said no. He then proceeded to tell me that he wouldn't be responsible if my car got damaged when he went to pack up because we were parked near his flea market stall.

You see, that was a threat the man made. Veiled as it was, but it was a threat. And, honestly, that's the way your comment comes off because you don't say anything but the negative aspect of a person being "different". That old guy didn't say he would try his best to not hit my car, he just said I shouldn't be surprised when I come back and find damage to it.

***You have turned this discussion into a straights vs. gays argument that it was never supposed to be and I wasted my bubbles replying to such nonsense.***

I never said labels are a good thing. I say that being different and being able to openly show said differences are a great thing. But, in this day and age where you want it to make it look like there isn't racism or sexism, that isn't the case.

And, I completely disagree that "removing labels" will solve our issues. People need to be aware of the differences out there and why it's not wrong before they can accept them.

Ignorance is how racism began in the first place.

[ClimateKaren]

I'm replying to this first comment, but it's really in regards to this entire thread.

Not only did you seem to completely misunderstand what the aim and/or tone of this blog post was, but instead of calming down and taking a second look at the post vs. how you responded, you're becoming increasingly tangentially caught up with some subtlety that you swear is there, but that I promise you is not. The blog is attempting to lay out what the author sees as various popular opinions on this controversial convention, and then provide his or her own point of view and offer the reasoning behind it. None of it contained any overt or veiled hostility, but a criticism of a type of special-interest overkill that he (and obviously I) feels serves to hurt the purpose it supposes to strengthen more than it helps it. Your overblown reaction is indicative of a real problem when it comes to this type of discussion; the inability for participants to discern a criticism of an act from a criticism of a person or group.

I don't believe the author of this blog or many other people who are voicing criticism of this event are doing so because they have anything against the bisexual/homosexual community or because they don't want the event to take place, nor do they presume that labels don't exist at all in life. I believe the confusion comes from the fact that nobody would have even thought that homosexual members of a community as diverse and (more often than not, despite XBL infamy) generally inclusive as that of the gaming community would ever feel the need to separate themselves in a convention this way.

You mentioned PAX in one of your posts, and how it's a place for gamers to meet each other, and that Gaymercon is the same thing. The issue I take with that explanation is that when it comes to gamers, homosexuals and heterosexuals are like-minded when it comes to the subject on the table. I've been to PAX twice and have met many people there, and not once did the topic of our sexual orientation or habits come up. I didn't see anyone there mistreated or discriminated against, or any signs of tension between the innumerable ethnicities and ages represented there. It's the last thing on anyone's mind when a man dressed up as Chun Li walks by them drinking a coke with a female Ezio with her Converse showing from under the cloak. Nobody feels or should feel inhibited at these conventions.

So then "why the Gaymercon", is the question? Is the heterosexual portion of the community unwittingly doing something to make homosexual people feel unwelcome? Is there something about being homosexual that makes you want to follow up "Wow, that Sleeping Dogs trailer was awesome..." with "by the way, isn't penis just the best?" If there is no rift in the community, and the shared interest has nothing to do with sex at all, then what purpose does this serve except to make a distinction that is based on something totally irrelevant to the hobby?

"I'm not a gamer, I'm a gaymer."

Should we have a black-American gamer convention too, then compare it to the everyone-else one? Why not embrace our diversity rather than constantly try to call attention to it in such a way that highlights the differences among a group of people who have willingly gathered for a common interest, and who have had no problem at all doing so? What's the end here? It's a convention for gamers, not a dating service, so why the need for gender-preference-specificity in the crowd?

[Christopher]

***Your overblown reaction is indicative of a real problem when it comes to this type of discussion; the inability for participants to discern a criticism of an act from a criticism of a person or group. ***

I've looked at my whole writing and I still don't find where I've "overblown" anything. I've responded to the points being made. What people don't understand is that when someone argues that "labels are not a thing we need", that doesn't mean that you also remove the idea of labels from the argument as a whole. Why? Because people don't agree that labels aren't needed. Why? Because those labels are used by the same people who say they don't need them and many people who want everyone labeled.

Furthermore, my points on this are in support of why people made the decision to create this event. If you can't handle that the reason is because of the criticism of the people who are making this decision, then that isn't my fault.

*** I've been to PAX twice and have met many people there, and not once did the topic of our sexual orientation or habits come up. I didn't see anyone there mistreated or discriminated against, or any signs of tension between the innumerable ethnicities and ages represented there. ***

So, because you didn't see it, it isn't a problem? Do you think that LGBT members feel free to express who they are openly at PAX and therefore did so or even attended in such a capacity? Or, do you think that most of them acted a certain way so as to not draw any attention to them?

How many men did you see holding hands? Hugging intimately? Kissing like a couple would? Calling each other pet names? Dancing with one another at one of the concerts? Being able to act intimate while playing a game without people looking at them a little different?

I'm thinking that the people who are behind GaymerCon went through something like this on more than one occasion.

***So then "why the Gaymercon", is the question?***

Because some people who are different feel that it would be good for them. Because they obviously still feel uncomfortable with being themselves at other conventions. They feel that who they are isn't being represented well enough in other venues and even in video games.

Because people who are different than you or I feel that it is necessary.

Whether you want to understand and agree with their reasoning is up to you, but it's because people who feel otherwise believe it is necessary.

[Christopher]

***Why not embrace our diversity rather than constantly try to call attention to it in such a way that highlights the differences among a group of people who have willingly gathered for a common interest, and who have had no problem at all doing so?***

As I said above, because we're not equal in the community.

Is a black man really respected when you have racial epithets being thrown around by other members of the community? I mean, it's easy for you or I to say "Yes, I don't use such language because I understand that it's offensive and what it means to the black community with it is used without regard for others." But, the rest of the community?

Or are you of the mind that "it's just the Internet," and people should develop thicker skins. Is that really the progress we want to make in this world? As long as you're not racist or in general derogatory in person, it's okay to act it out on the Internet?

Furthermore, because of how others talk about homosexuals in real life, calling each other derogatory homosexual names and making jokes about each other, it's very easy for them to feel uncomfortable about coming out as such. When the people around you are calling each other what you are as a joke, it's not likely to be seen as a good time for you to announce who you really are.

---

My point, and one I think people want to think is me attacking others who aren't racist or sexist or whatever, is that people aren't equal in the eyes of others or in the way that they are treated by the community. You can say that being a gamer has nothing to do with race, religion, or sexual preference, but obviously when you talk about a gaming community that gets thrown out the door. In every community, differences matter when people treat them a certain way.

If a group of the community feels like they have problems being who they are in the community, I see no issue with creating a venue to not only bring together like-minded individuals but also let people know that they exist and are open to welcoming all who would like to know them and play games with them. Nor do I see them "maintaining to be unlabeled" as a solution when it obviously makes them feel ostracized in the gaming community.

IMHO, labels are a necessary thing in today's day and age. Yes, they do draw attention to many with them, but without them people wouldn't realize how what they say and do affects many of their fellow people. In game, on a forum, commenting on a news submission, or just chatting on XBL.

[WildArmed]

Sir, I disagree with your statements.

[poolsharky27]

I strongly disagree cgoodno and agree with this blog.

Sexual orientation/preference is COMPLETELY irreverent to gaming. People cant tell one way or another during a gaming session unless... -- you go out of your way to tell them! --.

As this blog says -
"
There is no "Gay Anime Fans Convention" or "Asian Star Trek Fans convention."
"

Gamer in and of itself is already a label of segregation, and is the primary focus of our pastime, and would(should) be the primary focus of the convention. Being gay has no effect on your ability to game nor how you perceive gaming. The examples you've given are communal issues, and are not issues from the results of gaming.

[Christopher]

Just so I understand this correctly, there is no "gaming community"? There is no desire for people who all like to game to create communities, like, I dunno... N4G, IGN, GameSpot, GameTrailers, and so on, to share not only their thoughts on video games but also on gaming-related topics? You know, like perhaps a community that comes together to discuss the thought of someone making a GaymerCon?

That doesn't exist and isn't contributed to by a wide variety of people with different backgrounds, professions, skill sets, religions, opinions and the like? There's just video games and that's it?

[poolsharky27]

The gaming community is already all encompassing.
The point of this is that we shouldn't break ourselves up even farther.

Games and gaming don't segregate gay players. There's no need to have a gaming event that promotes something that's not effected specifically by gaming.

Nobody cares what race/religion/sexual preference you have while playing co-op they just want you to have their back when a hoard of bad dudes storm in.

Such things also dont make you play games differently or think about games differently. We all think and play these the same way.

Yes there are communities in gaming, and yes some people in those communities are probably anti-gay. BUT, People who are immature in these gaming communities are immature -everywhere- and not specifically because of gaming.

Dont get me wrong, I respect you opinion, and understand it, but I simply dont agree with it.

[_Q_]

Hi this blog is FABULOUS!!!!

[SmokeyMcBear]

dammnnnnn... columbo got butthurt.

[consolez_FTW]

"dammnnnnn... I don't do anything around this site except trollolol"

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you! N4G's mods! the wonderful people who make sure this utopia runs smoothly. /s

[ClimateKaren]

Pot, meet kettle.

[Omnislash]

I agree 100%

Although I must say that there is a gay anime convention, its called Yaoi-con or something but its not really a convention about gay anime fans but rather about the genre of Yaoi in itself. See thats acceptable because it does have its fairly big fanbase (mostly girls believe it or not). The whole idea of a gaymer-con is just redundant, its basically a gaming convention with what? gay people? What are they going to be doing there? play games? its redundant and unnecessary and I agree with you on this blog.

But seriously though, just IMAGINE all the Halo and Call of Duty kiddies running around there...

[HonestDragon]

I was on the fence over commenting about this "Gaymercon" idea, but I think I should say my piece while I can. I personally think that this is a bad idea. Why? Well, think about what conventions already stand for. A place for people with similar interests and ideas to discuss and meet on common ground over the theme of the convention.

Notice I only used the word people. I didn't say "straight" people. I didn't say "gay" people. I just said people. Conventions don't segregate or label those individuals who come by to partake in one of their favorite pop culture events.

Gaymercon is segregating and labeling homosexual gamers. That kind of reverses the idea of what they are trying to do. One would think that homosexuals being able to go to ANY convention without contest would be okay, but the people in charge of this particular event feel that homosexuals need more.

Does anyone believe that the people who organize these conventions honestly care about what you do in the privacy of your own home? Well, of course, they hope not to get a crazy nutjob who goes on a violent rampage, but other than that I think they don't care who goes to bed with you. The only thing on the coordinators' minds are for the convention to go smoothly, have satisfied consumers, and make a profit.

Some of the reasons why they want this convention don't make any sense either. One example is them saying how modern conventions don't try to appeal to homosexuals through advertising. Um, in what way? Because of stuff like booth babes and the abundance of straight guest stars? Uh, I don't think those qualify as reasons. The convention itself should be enough incentive for anyone to go because they like the subject matter not for what's sexually appealing or which guest stars they have.

Another reason I've read is how, as DragonKnight has it written, "straight gamers (and people) can't know what it's like to be gay and thus can't understand why a convention like this is both progressive and necessary." Not to sound offensive, but bully for you. I can say the same thing about how white gamers "can't know what it's like to be Hispanic" and "understand" me. But I don't use a cop out reason like that to justify my ideas on anything, especially if it includes a video game convention designed for only Spanish people. Even then, I find that that's a stupid idea.

As a straight, Spanish male, I don't care if homosexuals go to a Comic Con or Anime Con. I don't care what your race, gender, sexual preference, religion, or favorite car is. If you love video games, you are more then welcome to go to a convention for video games. Personally, I just think that the idea of separating a group (doesn't matter what kind of group) on the basis of something that they are is trivial in the overall scope of what a convention already stands for.

And in response to the thread above my comment, can't we agree to disagree guys?