Cry me a river will ya, if you think that gays and lesbians are gonna be excepted in a rational society that has any brains at all you should all move to San Fransisco and be done with it already. Use your heads.

I'm getting increasingly sick of being reprimanded for the 'greater good' which consists of homophobes, ignorant douchebage, psychofantic religious freaks, and parents who suffer from some form of mental retardation that makes them think they can police the entire world because the kids they pumped out should live in a 'safety bubble'. Especially when the same parents buy their kids GTA4, Gears of War and Halo.

To all you parents out there. I've worked with kids for years. I can tell you this, every kid older than 8 knows words far worse than anything he's going to read or hear on Xbox LIVE.

3. It takes 3 specific complaints, from separate people. You can not make the same complaint twice. If you call it in CS will tell you to log in and file through the 360 dashboard. A person can have a theoretical 20 complaints and if they are not 3 of the same you just have to wait until a third is filed.

@Lambasted:

I feel like the point that has been trying to be made here is that you should get what you pay for. If I am paying $60 a year for a "Gold" Xbox Live account in addition to perhaps $100 or more for content, I should in theory be allowed to have a non offensive gamertag that can easily identify myself to my friends and potential friends. Because Microsoft seems to keep changing their conditions beyond the TOS it is becoming increasingly difficult for people other than the average male gamer to feel welcome in the "live" pond. This is going beyond a free speech issue and becoming a class war.

@unravel:

HERE HERE!

@crabbyman6:

Yes monitoring voice chat would bog down the system. In theory Microsoft could just make filing complaints as easy as buying their content. Yes its Microsoft's party and if you do not agree their TOS then fuck off. But all you are saying is the same crap as "Major Nelson" and his "just play with your friends" statement. It's as if your all really saying "Don't you chicks and fags have other shit you should be doing instead of ruining our hetro-kill-fest". If Microsoft could just say this more concisely, I would be happy to GTFO. But no one does, we all just have to "read between the lines" and "get the hint" and it's the same "pussy" behavior I am accused of and condemned for.

Thankfully I live in "the big city" and there are other(faggy) things I could be doing, but gaming was one of those things that I could do to get away from gay bashing and blatant misogyny. Back then on the PC I could find FPS clans that shared my interests and opinions and it was pretty great. Now, however, all of the good games are on the 360 and it's not like the same stuff didn't happen in the other games but PC servers didn't single me out like "Live" does. But you know, your right, I should not connect to live, and since your opinoin matters more than mine please ask Microsoft to allow me to not log on and still get my updates, patches and achievements so I do not have to be an enemy combatant infiltrating their squeaky clean fishbowl while still buying their games and giving them my money.

@jeadie5: Is her first name Anita? Because "Anita Cockaday" would be perhaps one of the best names I've ever heard.

My brother actually got banned for a week for using offensive language in underground on XBL. some little kid complained, and got him booted for a week. My brother tried to argue that the kid shouldn't have been in underground if he couldn't handle it. It does say "anything goes" when you choose underground, so apparently not "everything" really goes.

dick should make minimal changes to his gamertag, such as using some special characters or leet speak. then he can say he changed it, but it still looks the same. or maybe use some of those vowels with accents on them..

@IphtashuFitz: I think Microsoft is offensive as well.....maybe it's my e.d. but i still think it is offensive.

If Microsoft really wanted to create a safe and inclusive environment, they need to start monitoring the audio then. Of course, if they do that, 95% of the XBL community will be banned within a week.

The simplest solution would be to apply name filters based on the group you join. There are already "Underground" and "Pro" groups, so why not designate one of those as being for adults and let the community police itself?

Let the kids and those with overly-sensitive dispositions stay in the family oriented groups, while the rest of us adults have fun.

Heh if they thing gaywood is offensive they oughta hear me after I get shot by one of those damn 12 year old squeakers running around playing halo.

In fact, they should hear me in regular conversation. I'm a construction worker, I swear, sue me. I've yet to have anyone complain about my language, and if anyone does I'm going to tell it to take their complaint and plant it firmly up their ass.

Also, I went to High School with a couple of brothers with the surname Mycock. Nobody made fun of them though, state wrestling champs and all.

Sounds like Microsoft just needs someone strong to stand up to them. I'm thinking a class action where the class is people who's REAL names have been banned from XBL. You PAY for the 360, you PAY for the internet connection, and you PAY for XBL, and they won't let you use your real name?

Oh, also, how the hell do they charge you for XBL if they won't let you use your real name, anyway?

Credit Card #: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-1234
EXP (mm/yy): 10/10
Name on Card: Richard Gaywood *

* ERROR: The name you have provided is invalid. Please fix this error before you continue.

@HeartBurnKid: That is what they do, every report is checked by a human, as I was corrected on yesterday.

I played tonight with someone named Bukakke (or some variation of it). I guess they are assuming its a straight bukkake and not a gay one

SOOO glad I quit Live.

All that would be required is for a human being, not a computer, an actual frikkin' human being, to check the banned name and make a judgement on it.

Besides, the man is just offensive. He could be names Steve Pinkkittensandcottencandy and he would still be pretty offensive. ;)

People give me hell just by hearing me talking in spanish over xbox live. So even if Microsoft lets you use Gaywood, it wouldn be a wise choice if you are planning on playing online.

It's not that I have a problem with Microsoft policing things but if they're going to do it in one area, they should do it across the board. I'd rather see 13 Richard Gaywoods in a game than have one thirteen year old asshat make comments about what he'd do to my breasts if his mom just would load up the minivan and bring him to my house.

Maybe I could understand if he's hanging out in multiplayer areas of games rated E or T, but if he's sticking to M... :shrug:

@linus: uh, is that such a good idea? say you do manage to get it banned. what's the next step? I'd imagine you would have a hard time getting the name back if you explain to MS that this was part of an experment!

i'd think about all the hours you put in before using your primary gamertag, IMO

But if that's his thing then.......by all means.

@Buran:

It's hard for me to believe that people would get so worked up over something like this.

If he actually goes through with his plan to make several gamertags that may be offensive in other languages and then get someone to file complaints he is gong to kill a lot of time. You have to pick your battles.

Is Amanda Hugnkiss banned/taken?

Sure, Microsoft could have backed down, but then they'd have to argue with every name banning they do. Then, all of a sudden, they're corresponding with Gaylord McBumstuff and wasting valuable employee resources asking for birth certificates.

@FijianTribe:

I will agree that he shouldn't be using his real name.

Also, I can't see this as being that big of a deal. It's an unoriginal gamertag and needed to be changed anyway. Have some fun with your gamertag. At least this way they are letting him change it for free.

When you stir the pond, you get judged on the former, rather than the latter. The real irony here is Micro$haft *will* let the truly obscene things go right by, if you're vague enough, while folks like Mr. Gaywood get nailed to a cross to show "Microsoft takes very seriously and is taking steps to insure that is not subjected to ever again. (unstated/understood: because it's their job to keep you safe, not sell you XYZ, then leave you the hell alone to rise or burn as you will)"

Stop whinning, just use a different name... what kind of moron uses their real name online anyhow

Microsoft should step up and let a legal family name stay. People should be able to appeal the auto responder's decision to unfairly ban a word or name. If the reason is legitimate, an exception is made for that one user. Take it case by case.

Also who uses their real name for an online handle?

Oh boy we get to play the name game

The french guy Hugh Jardin and his yank cousin Hugh G. Rection

Is it possible to create private servers for the xbox like you can in other games? Then you can create your own environment and stay out if the pubs with the 13 yo smacktards

The mere idea that this is the summation of the reasoning for the bans ("Won't someone think of the safety of the 13 year old boys yelling slurs and curses into their headsets as they maneuver their Halo characters to make them look as though they are doing things that most people would label pornographic") sickens me beyond belief.

I don't give a rat's butt about their ToS, selectively making an issue of a label that sometimes is used as a label to a oft-maligned minority is ridiculous treatment that they deserve to lose customers over, full stop.

Microsoft, I use your OS because I find it better than the alternatives. Please stop making me want to find a good Ubuntu package and never look back.

@unravel: How do you propose they police voice chat? That's a job better left to the parent that should be there listening to it. You don't like the chat, mute the player. Too big an issue, turn voice chat off completely. You can ignore voice chat, you can't ignore gamertags.

This isn't particularly MS thinking "gay" is a bad word. MS considers it inappropriate for its customers to see these names, so really its a reflection of the times, not the MS mindset since they get outside people to check these names. Also, its in MS's TOS that they can pretty much do whatever they want, so people should just get over it really. I hate to sound like a MS fanboy, but come on, this is really a non-issue.

Or (and this is no lie) my friend Mike Horny.

I think we should conduct an experiment. Someone say "ThePieMan Inc" is offensive. I'm usually playing Call of Duty.

In fact, everyone that has an XBOX live account, report it as offensive. I want to see what it takes.

And yes, that's my real gamer tag.

One of my friends is (first name / woman) named Gay. We frequently get dirty looks in public when correctly using her name conversationally in public.

Gaywood. A name I am sure his father, and his father before him were proud of. A name his mother was proud to take it as her own (assuming she changed her name). A name that has been passed down and received for generations suddenly isn't good enough for Microsoft. Well please excuse the Gaywood's for not changing their name years ago to something more palatable. Poor great, great, great, great, great granddaddy Gaywood. He must be rolling over in his grave at the very idea that a "Gaywood" isn't welcome but "Blackie" would be.

All this public humiliation Micrsoft caused poor Gaywood could send him into therapy for years to cope with his emotional distress.

@joemono: Not sure if John Smith would be banned. Have you tried John Thomas?

Didn't Conan O'Brien make up a word as a curse, only to have it be used by rappers to describe wealth?

But...good lord, Dick Gaywood? Is Hugh Jass next?

"We want the Xbox LIVE community to have the freedom to express themselves, but we also have a responsibility to create an inclusive, safe environment," said Microsoft's Stephen Toulouse.

This is beyond bullshit. I'm not sure how you create an inclusive, safe environment by excluding people because their names -which obviously aren't meant to be offensive in the least- might offend somebody's delicate sensibilities, oh no! Or how banning the use of the words Linux & Unix work towards that end. Or how they can say this with a straight face while appearing to turn a blind eye to the blatant nastiness that goes on over voice chat. Or while children are obviously playing games like GTA IV.

There have been times while I've seriously considered purchasing a 360 to go alongside my PS3, but to date I've failed to do it, and with each new story I hear about the Xbox, I have to say I'm glad.

@SkokieGuy: Noooooooo nooo I dont mean profit in terms of money I mean profit as in gain. Like by the time you set everything up and start this crusade the infighting and chaos would make it not worth the trouble. Also yeah deffinatly wealth and power and greed have nothing to do with a real beliver the bible teaches that God can be our supplier not collection plate or something. So yeah we should stop hijacking this thread if you want to keep talking about it my AIM is "deadeyereborn" and my email is "mikeysnowboard@aol.com" Id be glad to try to answer most questions you might have.

Since the word 'gay' is not generally considered offensive to homosexuals, then its not the word at issue - its the definition. If 'gay' is offensive it must be because Microsoft considers Gays offensive. Or the concept of being Gay.

Booo Microsoft!

@Deadeyereborn: We're totally hijacking this thread and need to stop, but....

You talk about not much profit. Isn't profit part of the reason the Church is so corrupt? Wouldn't true biblical faith shun all the wealth and power and tax-free shenanigans of most organized religion? Isn't profit the real reason the fundies and politicians are in bed together?

This is slowly starting to remind me of that one episode of "The Man Show" where Jimmy Kimmel made fun of someone's name, only to shut up later when that same person told him that he had the same name as his father, who was a WWII vet.

Oh boy was that awkward throughout the show.

God bless the Urban Dictionary

@dry-roasted-peanuts: And has been said many times in related posts, who gives a damn what conservatives, whiny parents, religous fundies or anyone else thinks.

If the nickname of a player is capable of creating offense, that person is far too delicate to be playing the xbox games.

Let's chainsaw off the prostitute's leg, then use it to beat her to death. Should I machine guy or drive my car into the cops......damn! I just noticed another player's screen name. I am SOOO offended. Microsoft, I'm going to sue because you permitted me to be offended.

@SkokieGuy: They did that once it was called "the way" dont ask anyone about it, it got screwed up pretty bad (it gets called a cult now) but the guy who ran it before it tanked was an amazing man. The reason we dont rebel and do all that stuff is because the profit is almost negligable (with all the infighting argueing and pretty much chaos that would result) the best thing we can do is teach as many people as we can the truth as far as we know it. It says in the bible we werent called here to change the word and that its going to get worse and worse the best I can do is to get as many people saved as I can.

@jeadie5: i wish MY name was Cockaday... that has to be the greatest conversation starter

@Deadeyereborn: So if truly faithful wanted to have a huge impact in the world, instead of going along with the loud and vocal fundie minority, what about a 'crusade' to silence the extremists and win them back to true biblical teachings (leaving out the stoning adulterers, sacrificing first borns and a few other things)?

Frankly, controlling religious extremism should we hasten world peace.

Are there already such organizations in the religious community that have any significance?

If Dick Gaywood gets banned Im pretty sure that the lady at my company with the surname Cockaday doesnt stand a chance.

From the Urban Dictionary:

BOMBOCLAAT
"Common Jamaican expletive" that is used in either extremes of excitment or sadness or vexation at a person or just as an expression.
1. Why the bomboclaat you don't leave me alone?
2. Bomboclaat! what a girl look sweet!
3. I can't believe they actually did it to bomboclaat.

@SkokieGuy: Honestly if you really read what the bible say not the old testament laws (totally different subject from what applys now) God says that he wants everyone to be saved it makes no reservations about what you've done honestly the whole "sin an go to hell" thing is pretty stupid considering that the word translated "hell" just means grave. People seem to forget that the bible wasnt written in english. That being said I agree the crazies are really just giving real christians a bad name Case in point Good ol' GWB

Evidently, according to a blog I read and that must be true, Bomboclaat means something horrible in Haiti.
The blogger found out when the name was suggested for thier dog and they used it.
the Haitian gardners said what a cute dog what is his name and immediatly quit.
Try that on XBL

@Deadeyereborn: Because the fundamentalist crazies are very vocal, media savvy and respond to political pandering. They impact elections, get books banned and are a pain in everyone's ass (ooooh homosex reference, I burn in hell).

The truly faithful that share opinions like yours are sadly generaly quietly going about their lives, doing good works instead of ramming an agenda down other's throats and generally do not speak up to criticize or censure the fundies.

i find microsoft (tiny flacid) offensive also

Microsoft could be offensive to men impotent men who are below average.

I guess my cousin from the fields of England will be in for a big surprise when he tries to log in to Xbox Live next time. Ben Dover, my cousin, I am with you in spirit! --sorry tasteless joke, but out of all the people in the world someone must have that name.

since when did gay become a "bad" word again, where is the diversity?

You have to understand why they ban certain names and why your name is banned (please tell me you understand). It's not a big deal. It's an online name. Make something up (in whatever language you choose).

This just in the name "John" is not available!!! OMG RUN HIDE! SPAM CONSUMERIST!!!!

@SuffolkHouse: Can we please stop progogating the stupid idea that every christian is some sort of rebublican gun toting goerge bush loving red neck. Its fucking redicules. The bible really supports none of the shit they talk about like God hating gays and all the bull shit I dont want to make a huge flame war but seriously its getting out of hand here.

I find Toulouse offensive. Can we get him banned, please?